Grove Park Inn Letters

D.H. Ramsey Library
Grove Park Inn Letters
Biltmore Industries Archive, Grove Park Inn Letters [GPI011], D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, UNCA
Title	Grove Park Inn Letters
Creator	Fred Seely
Alt. Creator	Grovewood Gallery, Inc.
Alt. Creator	D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections
Subject	Keyword : Grove Park Inn ; Hotel Clarendon ; Fred Seely ; F. L. Seely ; C. Morse ; C. W. Morse ; E. L. Potter ; William S. Kenney ; Hotel Van Nuys ;
Subject	LCSH : Grove Park Inn (Asheville, NC) Grove Park Inn -- Correspondence Hotel Management -- Grove Park Inn -- History Resorts -- North Carolina -- Asheville -- History Seely, Fred L. Grove, E.W. Appalachian Mountains -- History
Description	Various letters of correspondence to and from Fred L. Seely and interested parties regarding the development and management of the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. Correspondence covers the years between 1912 and 1913 and is useful in building a history behind the opening of Grove Park Inn in western North Carolina. The letters also provide context for a better understanding of F. L. Seely and his relationship to the Grove Park Inn.
Publisher	D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804
Contributor	Jerry Ball, Grovewood Gallery, Inc.
Date	2005-03-07
Type	Image ; text ; manuscript
Format	Digital files
Identifier	http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/mss/biltmore_industries/GPI/GPIdefault.htm
Source	M01.08
Language	en=English
Relation	Fred L. Seely Oral History [restricted use] ; E.M. Ball Collection
Coverage	1912-1913 Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
Rights	Restrictions apply. Any display, publication, or public use must credit the Grovewood Gallery, Inc. Asheville, NC and the D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Donor	Donor number 168
Acquisition	2001-11-20
Citation	The Biltmore Industries Collection (1901-1980), D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804. Any use of the materials in this collection must cite the Grovewood Gallery, Inc.,, 111 Grovewood Road, Asheville NC 28804.
Processed by	UNCA Special Collections staff, JP, 2005-03-04 .
Last update	2005-03-07

Box	Folder	Item 1bitry...	Description	Thumbnail
1	0037	001	July 9, 1912, Letter from F. L. Seely to Mr. C. Morse regarding Major Baker's finance request. The letter provides July 10, 1912 as the first day of the building phase for the Grove Park Inn.
	0037	003a	July 9, 1912, Photograph of the original drawing of the hotel, which was included in the letter to Mr. C. Morse.
	0037	003b	July 30, 1912, Post Card from Mr. King to Mr. Seely regarding films Mr. King was supposed to send Mr. Seely. Letter reveals personal relationship.
	0037	004	September 14, 1912, Letter from Mr. King to Mr. Seely inquiring when the hotel will be ready for business.
	0037	005	September 17, 1912, Letter from Mr. Seely to Mr. King. Here, Mr. Seely gives July 1, 1913 as the opening date for the Grove Park Inn. More friendly correspondence.
	0037	006	July 5, 1912, Letter from E.L. Potter to Mr. Seely warning Seely not to lose sight of the commercial significance of the hotel. Also requests an investment from Seely for additions for Mr. Potter's hotel, the Clarendon.
	0037	006b	Continuation of the letter from Mr. Potter to Mr. Seely.
	0037	007	July 12, 1912, Letter from Mr. Seely to Mr. Potter describing designs for the Grove Park Inn. Notice the hand written addition on the left side of the letter.
	0037	008	June 20, 1912, Handwritten letter From C. W. Morse to Mr. Seely inquiring about a possible visit.
	0037	008A	June 20, 1912, Envelope accompanying the letter from Mr. Morse to Mr. Seely, which provides the stamped date of the letter.
	0037	009	June 24, 1912, Response letter from Mr. Seely to Mr. Morse indicating Mr. Seely's new move to Asheville to begin work on the Grove Park Inn. The letter also mentions a recent conversation with Major Baker.
	0037	009B	June 24, 1912, Continuation of the letter from Mr. Seely to Mr. Morse.
	0037	014	April 30, 1913, The Kenney Letters: 1 of 5. This is a series of letters from Mr. Seely to Mr. Kenney, the manager of the Grove Park Inn, offering recommendations regarding the management of the hotel. In this letter, Mr. Seely suggests Onondaga Pottery Co. as the supplier for the china and includes a quote from them.
	0037	010	August 8, 1913, The Kenney Letters: 2 of 5. Letter to Mr. Kenney advising him on training the bell-men of the hotel. The letter discusses the manufacturers and cost of specific rugs, furniture, and fixtures in the hotel.
	0037	011	August 8 1913, The Kenney Letters: 3 of 5. Another letter to Mr. Kenney from Mr. Seely providing management suggestions. Here, the number of soap dishes available to each patron is a matter of contention.
	0037	012	September 24, 1913, The Kenney Letters: 4 of 5. More suggestions from Mr. Seely to Mr. Kenney. Here, Mr. Seely advises Mr. Kenney to relocate an expensive Roycroft screen from near the children's dining room to a more suitable place.
	0037	013	October 21, 1913, The Kenney Letters: 5 of 5. Letter to Mr. Kenney regarding the management of the dining room section of the hotel. In this rather stern letter, Mr. Seely points out issues of cleanliness in the dining room and kitchen area. He also discusses the number of waiters on the payroll and the importance of proper management.