Aline and Eero Saarinen papers, 1906-1977

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A Finding Aid to the Aline and Eero Saarinen Papers, 1906-1977, in the Archives of American Art, by Jennifer Meehan

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Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by Terra Foundation for American Art

Table of Contents:

• Biographical Information
• Overview of the Collection
• How to Use the Collection
• Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Biographical Information

Aline Bernstein Saarinen was born on March 25, 1914 in New York City. She attended Vassar College, where she took art courses and became interested in journalism, and graduated with a B.A. in 1935. She went on to receive her M.A. in the history of architecture from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University in 1941. She married Joseph H. Louchheim in 1935, and they had two sons, Donald and Harry (or Hal). They divorced in 1951.

Aline joined the staff of Art News Magazine in 1944 and served as managing editor from 1946 to 1948. She edited and provided commentary for the book, 5000 Years of Art in Western Civilization, which was published in 1946. She served as associate art editor and critic at The New York Times from 1948 to 1953 and then as associate art critic from 1954 to 1959. She received awards for her newspaper work, including the International Award for Best Foreign Criticism at the Venice Biennale in 1951, the Frank Jewett Mather Award for best newspaper art criticism in 1953, and the American Federation of Arts Award for best newspaper criticism in 1956.

In 1953, Aline interviewed the architect Eero Saarinen for an article. Eero was born in 1910 in Kirkkonummi, Finland, and received his B.F.A. in Architecture from Yale University in 1934. He began work as an architect in his father Eliel Saarinen's firm and went on to start his own firm, Eero Saarinen and Associates. Among his best-known works are the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, the Trans World Air Lines Terminal Building at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, and Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia.

Aline and Eero became romantically involved shortly after they met and were married in December 1953. The following year, they had a son, Eames (named after Eero's friend, the designer and architect Charles Eames). After their marriage, Aline relocated to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where she continued to work as associate art critic for The New York Times and where she served as Director of Information Service in the office of Eero Saarinen and Associates (from 1954 to 1963).

In 1957, she received a Guggenheim Fellowship to work on a book about major American art collectors, The Proud Possessors, which was published by Random House in 1958. Thereafter, she began work on a biography of the architect, Stanford White, also for Random House; this work continued for several years, but the book was never completed. Over the years, she wrote numerous freelance articles on art, architecture, socio-cultural history, travel, and theater for magazines such as Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, Saturday Review of Literature, Reader's Digest, and Cosmopolitan.

After Eero's sudden death in 1961, Aline edited the book, Eero Saarinen on His Work (1962). She then embarked upon a new career in television, appearing on shows such as "Today" and "Sunday" where she reported on manners, morals, culture, and the arts, and eventually becoming, in 1964, an NBC News correspondent for such shows as "The Huntley-Brinkley Report" and "The Frank McGee Report" in addition to the shows on which she was already appearing. In 1971, she was appointed chief of the NBC News Paris Bureau, becoming the first woman to hold such a position in television.

In the 1960s, Aline served on various arts-related committees, including the Design Advisory Committee of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Fine Arts Commission, and the New York State Council of the Arts. She received honorary degrees from the University of Michigan in 1964 and Russell Sage College in 1967.

Aline Saarinen died from a brain tumor on July 13, 1972.

This biographical notes draws from the one on Aline Bernstein Saarinen by Seymour Brody in Jewish Heroes and Heroines of America: 150 True Stories of American Jewish Heroism, and from the one on Eero Saarinen in the Guide to the Eero Saarinen Collection at Yale University Library.

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Overview of the Collection

Scope and Contents

The Aline and Eero Saarinen papers measure approximately 13.5 linear feet and date from 1906 to 1977. The bulk of the collection consists of Aline Saarinen's papers which document her relationship with her husband Eero Saarinen and other aspects of their personal lives, as well as Aline's work as an art and architectural critic, author, and television correspondent. Papers include research files for published and planned books (in which can be found scattered original letters of Stanford White, John Quinn and Edward Root) and other projects, NBC correspondent files, writings, committee files, correspondence, photographs, printed material, and miscellaneous personal papers.

The portion of the collection relating to personal aspects of Aline and Eero Saarinen's lives consists of: Aline Saarinen's diary, guest book, notebooks, personal writings, biographical material, awards and honorary degrees; scattered papers of Eero Saarinen, including biographical material, drawings of furniture designs, various sketches and drawings, and some project timelines and notes; correspondence between Aline and Eero Saarinen (the bulk of which dates from the year they met and married), as well as general and family correspondence received by Aline Saarinen and some miscellaneous and personal correspondence of Eero Saarinen; printed material, mostly clippings, documenting aspects of the life, work, and achievements of both Aline and Eero Saarinen; and photographs, including ones of Aline Saarinen, Eero Saarinen, Aline and Eero Saarinen together, and family members, as well as ones from various trips and of various residences, and various slides.

The bulk of the collection consists of material, including research and writing files, NBC correspondent files, and committee files, stemming from Aline Saarinen's various professional activities. Writings include manuscripts, typescripts, notes, notecards, and clippings of Aline Saarinen's various articles, lectures and speeches on art and architecture, scripts for television, creative and college writing. Research files include material for Saarinen's published book on art collectors, The Proud Possessors, and her planned, but never completed, biography of the architect, Stanford White. Research material for The Proud Possessors includes files of notes, manuscripts, correspondence, photographs and printed material on art collectors, and related material such as scrapbooks of correspondence and clippings in response to the book. Files also include scattered original material, such as correspondence and photographs, belonging to the collectors, John Quinn and Edward Root. Research material on Stanford White includes correspondence, notebooks, writings, printed material, photographs, and copies of architectural drawings. Also found is scattered original material belonging to Bessie White, Stanford White, and the firm of McKim, Mead and White. NBC material consists of files, including correspondence, printed material, notes, scripts, motion picture films and video transfers, and photographs, kept by Aline Saarinen while working as a television correspondent. Also found are miscellaneous research files on artists that may relate to television or other projects and files stemming from her involvement in various arts-related and other committees.

Arrangement and Series Description

The collection is arranged into two series:

• Series 1: Aline and Eero Saarinen Personal Papers, 1928-1977 (Boxes 1-4, 15, OV 16; 3.7 linear feet)
• Series 2: Aline Saarinen Professional Papers, 1906-1969 (Boxes 4-15, OV 16; 9.8 linear feet)

Subjects and Names

Provenance

The Aline and Eero Saarinen papers were donated in 1973 by Charles Alan, Aline Saarinen's brother and executor of her estate, and microfilmed. In 1966 five photographs of Eliel Saarinen's home in Helsinki, Finland were donated by Florence Davis and were subsequently integrated into the collection. The NBC material was donated in 1974 by NBC Studios via Charles Alan. Additional material, which had originally been donated to the Parrish Museum by Aline Saarinen, was donated to the Archives in 1991 by the Museum.

Separated and Related Materials

Two exhibition catalogs and various clippings that were donated as part of the collection were transferred to the Smithsonian American Art Museum Library in 1981.

Also found in the Archives are: the Museum of Modern Art exhibition correspondence concerning Eero Saarinen, 1958-1959; the Lily Swann Saarinen papers, 1924-1974; an oral history interview with Lily Swann Saarinen, 1979-1981; and an oral history interview on Aline Saarinen with Charles Alan, 1973 February 17.

Other related material includes: Eero Saarinen Collection, Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library.

How the Collection was Processed

The collection received a preliminary level of processing after being donated in 1973 and 1991, and portions of it were microfilmed on reels 2064, 2069, 2076, and 2084. A graphite portrait of John Quinn received conservation treatment at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in 1987. Two 16 mm motion picture films, "Eyes Opening" and Untitled (John Lindsay at the Metropolitan Museum of Art), were transferred to video for preservation and access. Previously microfilmed and unmicrofilmed portions were merged, arranged, and described in accordance with archival standards, and the collection was fully processed by Jennifer Meehan in 2006 as part of the Terra Foundation for American Art Digitization Grant. The collection was digitized in 2007.

How to Use the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website. Use of material not digitized requires an appointment.

Ownership & Literary Rights

The Aline and Eero Saarinen papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Quotation, publication, or reproduction of scripts or films prepared for television must be cleared with NBC for rights: NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY.

Available Formats

The bulk of the collection was digitized in 2007 and is available via the Archives of American Art's website.

Material not scanned includes the NBC correspondent files (due to restrictions on the material), and typically duplicates, negatives, slides, and printed material easily accessible elsewhere. For publications found in the research and other project files, only relevant portions are scanned.

Location of Originals

The originals of the microfilmed correspondence of Richard Grant White and Stanford White found in Series 2.3.4 are located in the Huntington Art Library.

How to Cite this Collection

Aline and Eero Saarinen Papers, 1906-1977. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Series 1: Aline and Eero Saarinen Personal Papers, 1928-1977 (Boxes 1-4, 15, OV 16; 3.7 linear feet)

Series consists of material relating to both Aline and Eero Saarinen, their relationship, their families, and other personal aspects of their lives. Most of the material found here was created and accumulated by Aline Saarinen. Also found is some material of Eero Saarinen's that was either created as part of their life together (such as photographs from various trips together) or that was later collected by Aline Saarinen as part of her own files (such as some drawings of Eero Saarinen's furniture designs).

The Aline and Eero Saarinen Personal Papers series is arranged into four subseries:

• 1.1: Miscellaneous Personal Papers, 1928-1974
• 1.2: Correspondence, 1936-1970
• 1.3: Printed Material, 1947-1977
• 1.4: Photographs, 1940s-1970

1.1: Miscellaneous Personal Papers, 1943-1974

Subseries consists primarily of material relating to personal aspects of Aline Saarinen's life, as well as some scattered papers of Eero Saarinen and a file relating to their son, Eames Saarinen.

Aline Saarinen's papers include a diary she began as a young girl and periodically added to over the years; a guest book which records the names of people who visited her during the years 1961-1971, with gaps in-between; a notebook from a class she took with [Erwin] Panofsky on Baroque art in 1936; a notebook that she kept on the alterations to the first house that she and her first husband, Joseph Louchheim, purchased in 1949 (including diary entries, correspondence with architects and interior designers, photographs, estimates, and statements); her writing on the events surrounding almost being offered the Finnish Ambassadorship by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964; invitations and other material relating to various inaugural events during the 1960s; and some personal writings and biographical material. Also found are awards and honorary degrees, including an academic hood, received by Aline Saarinen (such as honorary degrees from University of Michigan and Russell Sage College), campaign buttons, press passes, and commemorative objects.

Eero Saarinen's papers include biographical material (including a copy of his death certificate), some drawings of his furniture designs (mainly chairs), illustrated cards and certificates some of which were done with his son Eames, timelines and notes for various architectural projects, and various sketches and drawings, including sketches of Aline and himself, drawings of certain architectural projects with notes that he shared with Aline, various architectural sketches (some on the backs of placemats), and designs featuring their first initials, A and E.

Papers relating to Eames Saarinen include correspondence to his mother, school reports, and some poems and other writings.

Unless otherwise noted, the files relate to Aline Saarinen. Files are arranged alphabetically.

1.2: Correspondence, 1936-1970

Subseries consists of correspondence between Aline and Eero Saarinen, general and family correspondence received by Aline Saarinen, and some miscellaneous correspondence received by Eero Saarinen. Also found are some personal letters of Eero Saarinen detailing the demise of his marriage to his first wife (Lily Swann Saarinen) which seem to have been written as part of undergoing psychotherapy and are addressed to his psychiatrist, "Dr. B", as well as a letter ending his relationship to a woman named Sampe, which may be a draft or a copy, though it is unclear whether the letter was ever actually sent.

Correspondence between Aline and Eero Saarinen primarily dates from 1953, the year they met and married. Their correspondence documents the evolution of their relationship from time they met when Aline interviewed Eero for an article for The New York Times to Eero's divorce and their subsequent remarriage to each other. Also included are homemade birthday cards from Aline to Eero (of particular note is the one from 1953 which details the history of their romance). In addition to relationship matters, their correspondence typically concerns Aline's article on Eero, Eero's architectural projects (or as he puts it, "what goes on in my mind about work"), a forthcoming speech of his in Cleveland on which Aline assisted him, Aline's articles, Eero's divorce proceedings, their future plans, and sculpture for one of Eero's buildings. By and large, their correspondence from 1953 is undated according to month or day. Therefore, letters from that year are only arranged in rough chronological order.

Aline Saarinen's general correspondence includes letters from friends, editors, her literary agent, lawyers, architects and designers, writers, government and university departments, political figures, and television producers, concerning articles, book ideas, dedication of Saarinen buildings, patents for Saarinen furniture designs, television shows, and committee work, among other matters. Correspondents include: Meyer Schapiro, Charles Eames, Louise Mendelsohn, Wayne Andrews, Hoke Norris, Hiram Haydn, Donald S. Klopfer, Bernice Cozzens, Lincoln Kirstein, The New York Times, James Gould Cozzens, J. Irwin Miller, Dwight D. Eisenhower (?), McCall's, Henry Dreyfuss, Lyndon B. Johnson, New York State Department, Russell Sage College, U.S. Department of Interior, Lady Bird Johnson, Nelson Rockefeller, and Wolf Von Eckhardt. General correspondence is typically arranged in chronological order. More extensive correspondence from Clifford Odets (which includes some drawings by Odets) and Frank Lloyd Wright (which concerns the Guggenheim Museum) is arranged into files according to correspondent.

Eero Saarinen's miscellaneous correspondence includes copy of a letter to Huntington Hartford concerning the relationship between architecture and nature, and letters to and from S. Giedion regarding a plan for an International Exhibition of Modern Architecture, in addition to other scattered letters and the personal letters detailing his relationships with Lily and Sampe. Some or all of these letters may have been ones that Eero shared with Aline, which may be how they came to be amongst her papers.

Family correspondence is comprised mainly of letters from Aline Saarinen's first husband, Joseph Louchheim, when he was working in Liberia for two months in 1949, and from her two sons from her first marriage, Donald and Hal Louchheim. Also found are individual letters from Eero's son from his first message, Eric and from their son, Eames.

1.3: Printed Material, 1947-1977 (Not scanned)

Subseries consists primarily of clippings, in addition to other printed material such as catalogs and publications, that document aspects of the life and work of Aline and Eero Saarinen.

1.4: Photographs, 1940s-1970

Subseries consists of photographs of Aline Saarinen, Eero Saarinen, Aline and Eero Saarinen together, and various family members, as well as photographs from various trips, photographs of residences, and other photographs. Also found are slides of art and architecture that were likely used in some of Aline's lectures in addition to slides of photographs from a trip to Europe taken by Lily Swann Saarinen and her children, photographs of Sampe, Eames Saarinen, and Aline, and photographs of Hvittrask, Finland (perhaps taken by Eero during his trip with Aline and the children in 1958).

Photographs of Aline Saarinen consist of ones of her as young girl; ones of her graduating from Vassar College in 1935; ones of her as a Red Cross worker during the Second World War; ones of her as an art critic in the 1950s and as a television correspondent in the 1960s; ones of her serving as the representative of the President at the Inauguration of the Venezuelan President, Raul Leoni, in 1964; and ones of her receiving various honorary degrees.

Photographs of family members include ones of Aline's mother, father, and brother, and her sons, Donald and Hal Louchheim, and their families; ones of her son with Eero, Eames; ones of Eero with his first wife, Lily Swann Saarinen, and their children; and ones of Aline and Eero with their children, including ones from a trip to Hvittrask, Finland in 1958.

Photographs from various trips include ones of Aline's trip to Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA, and ones of a trip to Greece with her and Eero (which are of particular note because the pictures were taken by Eero and feature examples of Greek architecture). Other photographs include ones of various designs by Eero, ones of the sketches of the winning design for the Sydney Opera House, and miscellaneous and unidentified ones.

Series 2: Aline Saarinen Professional Papers, 1906-1969 (Boxes 4-14, 15, OV 16; 9.8 linear) feet)

Series consists of files stemming from Aline Saarinen's professional activities as an art critic, author, and television correspondent, and as a member of arts-related and other committees.

The Aline Saarinen Professional Papers series is arranged into six subseries:

• 2.1: Writings, 1933-1967
• 2.2: Research Material for The Proud Possessors, 1906-1967 (bulk 1956-1959)
• 2.3: Research Material on Stanford White, 1880s-1969
• 2.4: NBC Correspondent Files, 1961-1971
• 2.5: Miscellaneous Research Files, circa 1960-1964, undated
• 2.6: Committee Files, 1961-1968

2.1: Writings, 1933-1967

Subseries consists of manuscripts, typescripts, notes, notecards and clippings of Aline Saarinen's writings. Her writings include: articles on art and architecture for The New York Times and other publications, including a manuscript of her article on Eero Saarinen with his annotations in the margins and her notebook from her interview with him; samples of her early art criticism and early writings, including some short stories and college essays; lectures and speeches on art, architecture and related topics, including ones on Eero Saarinen, art collectors and collecting, modern art, culture and visual arts, and writing biography; scripts for television shows; notes on project ideas and plans developed and presumably shared with her literary agent, Bernice Cozzens; and other creative writing such as fiction, a play, and poems (some of which may have been written by her and others of which may have been transcribed by her) and personal writing such as a piece on the suicide of woman she knew in passing, Ruth Gornick.

Writings are arranged alphabetically by type.

2.2: Research Material for The Proud Possessors, 1906-1967 (bulk 1956-1959)

Series consists of files stemming from Aline Saarinen's work researching and writing her book, The Proud Possessors, which was published by Random House in 1958. Files consist of notes, manuscripts, correspondence, photographs and printed material on art collectors, as well the application for a Guggenheim grant (which was awarded to Saarinen in 1957), Eero Saarinen's notes on the book, a scrapbook of correspondence received in response to the publication of the book (of particular note is Peggy Guggenheim's negative response to the chapter on her), and clippings of reviews and other articles about the book after its publication. Among the correspondents are Bernard Berenson, Dorothy Miller, Bernice Cozzens, Albert Ten Eyck Gardner, Alfred H. Barr (?), Edward Steichen, Francis Brown, Hiram Haydn, Daniel Cotton Rich, John Goldsmith Phillips, George Heard Hamilton, Dorothy Sieberling, Saul Steinberg, Sam N. Behrman, Jean Lipman, Irving Hoffman, Electra Webb, Henry Allen Moe, Peggy Guggenheim, Alice B. Toklas, H. P. Roche, Cy Sulzberger, Clifford Odets, and Alfred A. Knopf.

The material on John Quinn includes correspondence between Saarinen and Jeanne Foster Roberts; letters to Foster from Quinn and his sister, Julia Anderson; a copy of a letter to Foster from William Butler Yeats and a drawing of Quinn possibly by Yeats; material relating to Roger Casement, Foster, and Florence Farr; and photographs of Quinn and Foster, and Quinn with Constantin Brancusi, Picasso and Mme Picasso, Henri Pierre Roche and Erik Satie.

The material on Edward Root includes correspondence between Root and his father, Elihu, dating from 1903 to 1936; letters to Root from Charles Culver, Robert de Forest, Frederick James Gregg, Ernest Lawson, George Luks, Duncan Phillips, and Grace Root, dating from 1909 to 1936; and copies of two letters to Edward Christiana, dated 1949.

Files are typically arranged according to format and then alphabetically according to name of collector.

2.3: Research Material on Stanford White, 1880s-1969

Subseries consists of files stemming from Aline Saarinen's research for a planned, but never completed, biography of Stanford White "as an interpreter of the Age of Elegance." Included are: correspondence, notebooks, writings, scattered original material belonging to Bessie White, Stanford White and the firm of McKim, Mead and White, printed material, photographs, and architectural drawings.

2.3.1: Correspondence, 1959-1969

Correspondence consists of letters exchanged with Aline Saarinen's literary agent, publisher, scholars, friends and relatives of White, and others, as well as responses to her inquiry about Stanford White published in The New York Times. Correspondence concerns book ideas, research inquiries, her struggles with the work, and related matters. Correspondents include: Bernice Cozzens, Random House, Wayne Andrews, Mrs. Lawrence Grant White (White's daughter-in-law), Welles Bosworth, R. W. G. Vail, Francis Brown, Edward Fowles, Van Wyck Brooks, and Evelyn Nesbit.

Correspondence is typically arranged chronologically, except for the extended correspondence with her literary agent which is arranged in its own file.

2.3.2: Notebooks, circa 1959-1962

Notebooks contain Aline Saarinen's notes on various topics related to Stanford White gathered in the course of her research. Individual notebooks were removed from their original binders at some previous point, and are arranged alphabetically according to subject.

2.3.3: Writings, 1959-1960s

Writings include drafts and manuscripts of chapters for Saarinen's planned biography on White and her article on White for Life Magazine. Also found are scattered research notes, an outline of the planned biography, and various writings on White and architecture by others.

2.3.4: Original Material, 1880s-1936, 1960

Original material includes certain scattered papers of Bessie White and Stanford White, and scattered office "files" of the architectural firm McKim, Mead and White, which were presumably accumulated by Aline Saarinen in the course of her research. Also found is a microfilm reel of the correspondence of Richard Grant White (approximately 25 letters) and Stanford White (1 letter) held by the Huntington Art Library.

The papers belonging to Bessie White consist of correspondence from her father-in-law, Richard Grant White; scrapbooks on the Washington Centennial and White's Washington Art, and on the Thaw Murder Trial; and written reminiscences of White. The papers belonging to Stanford White consist of lists, notes, and other documents. The McKim, Mead and White documents include memoranda and correspondence; files consisting of correspondence, contracts estimates, and descriptions for various projects (extensive documentation for the Whitelaw Reid residence can be found); and a record book.

2.3.5: Printed Material, 1890s-1968

Printed material collected by Aline Saarinen in the course of her research consists primarily of clippings and publications with articles on White, his buildings, and certain people associated with him. Also found is miscellaneous printed material on the Garden City Hotel, Newport, RI, and architecture.

2.3.6: Photographs, 1880s-circa 1960

Photographs include ones of Stanford White and his family, his clients, Anne, Louise, and Robert Cheney, and his one-time mistress, Evelyn Nesbit; and ones of buildings and residences designed by White or McKim, Mead and White, many of which were photographed by Wayne Andrews. Also found are photographs of interiors and slides and negatives of certain photographs of buildings and residences.

2.3.7: Architectural Drawings, undated

Included are reproductions and negatives of architectural drawings for various buildings and residences, which date from 1884 to 1903, designed by White or McKim, Mead and White.

2.4: NBC Correspondent Files, 1961-1971 (Not scanned)

Subseries consists of files kept by Aline Saarinen while working as a television correspondent for NBC on such shows as "Today", "Sunday", and "The Hunter-Brinkley Report", reporting on mainly art-related topics. Files include correspondence, printed material, notes, scripts, clippings, motion picture films and video transfers, and photographs. Also included are printed material on Eero Saarinen and photographs of his work.

Files are arranged alphabetically according to subject or format.

2.5: Miscellaneous Research Files, circa 1960-1964, undated

Subseries consists of files stemming from Aline Saarinen's research on various artists and relating to miscellaneous or unidentified projects. Files mostly include notes and correspondence. Of particular note is a letter from Georgia O'Keeffe referring to Saarinen's idea of "a color film story" about the artist.

Files are arranged alphabetically according to subject.

2.6: Committee Files, 1961-1968

Subseries consists of files relating to Saarinen's participation on various committees, boards, and commissions, including the Design Advisory Committee for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which recommended I. M. Pei's design for a standard air traffic control tower. Files include reports, minutes, printed material, correspondence, and photographs. Also found is correspondence and a partial manuscript for a proposed article on Najeeb Halaby of the FAA for Harper's Magazine.

Files are arranged in chronological order.