These letters were written on a day when the world felt unsteady. Americans were entering combat in World War I, national debates over Prohibition were gaining force, and the 1918 flu pandemic was beginning to reshape daily life. All of this turmoil added pressure to the already uncertain process of completing Vizcaya. James Deering was balancing the costs of building and maintaining the Main House during a wartime economy, even as work continued on the gardens and his partnership with artistic director Paul Chalfin was coming to an end. As you read his words, what do you notice about how he navigated this moment of strain and transition?
“THIS FEELING IS HEIGHTENED BY THE WAR AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS”
Letter: February 14, 1918
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner, Chicago
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Artistic Director
Reveal Transcript
Dear Mr. Chalfin:
It is perhaps too early to discuss the matter, but it occurs to me and I write it to you. I once or twice said to you that the investment in this place is large, and larger than it ought to have been. I should have felt that under any circumstances, for the feeling is not at all new since the war. Naturally this feeling is heightened by the war and the financial conditions.
In considering the lake south of the causeway I think it proper to decide and say that we will not put anything down there that requires other than temporary watering. You spoke of trees and shrubs. This I think we could manage in some way. Flowers, which would require the plumbing of the lake region, I would not put in, except as they might be shrubs which are accustomed to grow here without watering.
Yours very truly, [signed]JD
Copy to W.J.L.
your forgetting. In any case, think best it should be so. Have ordered making seahorses for arches in forecourt not made for present. Can transfer seahorse weathervane to boathouse. Am writing. Concrete fences like original pink fences cost dollar ninety-four per foot. Everything considered do you not think wise use same fence on new purchases? Have ordered contours made.
JD 5:05p
“… AS THE WAR OR THE PERIOD OF RECOVERY FROM THE WAR CONTINUE”
Letter: February 14, 1918
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner, Miami
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Artistic Director
Reveal Transcript
Dear Mr. Paul Chalfin:
I acknowledge receipt of your telegram of the 13th inst. No doubt Mr. Paist will let me know the facts regarding the sculpture.
We have not come pretty well to the end of the present stage of our work here. Mr. Paist is already on half time. He states to me that he things Ley’s work will be finished in four to six weeks. He was under the impression that he was expected to spend $50,000.00 on Ley’s work, without references to the schedule. I corrected his impression on this.
Your office is, no doubt, coming to the end of its work for this place. It seems to me that it would be very helpful to make up a complete list of all things planned to be done on the entire place, with the best estimate of the cost of these things. This can be better done while we have some organization than it could be done afterwards.
This list and estimate would be exceedingly helpful in considering what can be done, either from time to time as the war or the period of recovery from the war continue. It would also be useful in considering what work should be done first. At the present time we have some organization who can help make these estimates. A little later we will have none.
I hope your teeth and all your other troubles are much better.
Yours very truly,
JD
