“ENTRANCES TO THE BAY IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH STRONG CHAINS WITH PADLOCKS…”
Letter: February 18, 1914
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner, New York
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Artistic Director, Miami
Reveal Transcript
… permit the pumping out of the water and the cleaning out of the basin. There must also be a boathouse which doubtless ought to be like that of Mr. Fisher’s, large enough to take all boats but a houseboat and permit of their being hoisted into the air. I am not very keen on boats but will have to have a number and the maximum supply I should say would not be more than
1. A smaller motor boat.
2. A larger motor boat.
3. A small sailboat.
4. A launch for our proposed canal.
5. A canoe.
6. A rowboat.
7. Possibly an imitation gondola for use on the canal.
This boathouse might be immediately on the bay if it were thereby ornamental or it might be placed alongside of the swimming pool and the bathhouses necessary made in connection with it. I will try to learn what I can about the possible danger of bathing in the bay at this point. It certainly would not do at Miami. The swimming pool and the entrance from the sea ought to be wide enough to permit the houseboat to lie in the pool when I am absent.
While I think of it, not only the entrance to the pond but the two entrances to the bay in front of the house should be provided with strong chains with padlocks, to prevent any boat entering when I am absent. The preparation for these chains might be made an architectural feature.
I have not yet heard from Gratigny or Richardson. When I do and when the questions referred to them are settled the work of preparing the soil for our trees and gardens might go ahead were it not for the following facts. It would seem wise to have all of our curring down of our trees and gardens might go ahead were it not for the following facts. It would seem wise to have all of our cutting down of trees, grubbing, soil making, etc., made as one contract. It should then cover the following items: 1, growth of hammock at the north end, and the entire north lineof the pineland in preparation for say, bamboos. 2, the entire west front of the pineland in preparation for whatever is to go here. 3, gardens and groves. 4, the preparations for the village and the little garden that is to go with each house in the village. (Note) Nothing can be done about this until the village is laid out. 5, the hammock at the southeast end of the pineland and the placing of bamboos or other screen further west.
The hibiscus bushes in front of my brothers place …
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“A QUESTION OF PROTECTION”
Letter: February 18th, 1918
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner, New York
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Artistic Director, Miami
Reveal Transcript
Dear Mr. Chalfin:
Replying to your letter of the 15th inst.: It is not a question of unsightliness when we lock the front door and the door on the stairway, but a question of protection.
In the case of the front door once can readily introduce his hand through the grille and open the door. I have not studied the door on the stairway but fear that it is in the same case. I have asked to have the chains sewn up in some thick material and am rather inclined to think that since they can and will be put on at night and taken off in the morning, they will make the best and the best looking solution of the whole matter. I think it would be better to wait for your arrival before trying to arrange any light on the main stairway.
Yours sincerely,
[signed] JD
Reveal an image of one element of James Deering's early alarm system
