Rockefeller photos and map

[rtfield]

I recently spent some time at the Rockefeller Family Archive in Tarrytown, NY, looking through old documents related to the acquisition and development of David Rockefeller's St. Barth properties (yes, plural--he had more than just Colombier!). Here are some photos and a map that I thought might be of interest to forum members. Enjoy!

-Russell

 

[PIRATE40]

Wow! Awesome find.....Thank you for sharing.

 

[andynap]

Very interesting. Thanks

 

[amyb]

terrific history and photos-good job!

 

[dadto6]

Wow, thank you for sharing. Makes Matt and I experience on our walk-about earlier this month more significant.

 

[amyb]

And I just got a good look at the teepee structure on our sunset sail. Never have walked the property like you and Matt did, Bob. Nice to have more of the history of this landmark structure.

 

[KevinS]

Very nice. I'm aware of the Colombier, Gustavia, and Gouverneur properties, but unaware of anything in Lorient or Point Milou.

 

[stbartshopper]

Great history. Maybe should be moved to the timeless tips section?

 

[rtfield]

And I just got a good look at the teepee structure on our sunset sail. Never have walked the property like you and Matt did, Bob. Nice to have more of the history of this landmark structure.

Speaking of that structure, I also found what appear to be the original architectural plans for its construction.

 

[GMP62]

Wonderful compilation of photography...very interesting. Thanks for the research and sharing it with the Forum!

 

[LMAC]

What a great find! Thanks so much for sharing it.

 

[dadto6]

Way cool on the Drawings. I enjoyed looking them over since I am a contractor. They are true for the period, lots more technical and detailed requirements these days.

 

[cec1]

Great family memorabilia . . . how I wish that I could have had an archivist to catalogue my photos!!!

 

[steelpe]

I thought that structure was suppose to be a library. Appears to be a guest house.

 

[elgreaux]

fantastic! thanks....

 

[bkeats]

Quite a find. I like the first picture where it looks like there is at least a bottle of gin and rum on the table. So perhaps they are drinking gin and tonic and ti punch? My favorite on island cocktails.

It's interesting to see that pictures of one of the wealthiest families in the world on vacation look pretty much like other family pictures. Though the memo from Dick Dana shows this is no ordinary family where they are concerned that anyone with a boat could access the beach at Colombier and trying to figure out how to fix that "problem." Thankfully that wasn't a problem that could be fixed.

 

[marybeth]

Finally got some time to check these out. So interesting. I join the others and thank you for sharing your research.

 

[rtfield]

Finally got some time to check these out. So interesting. I join the others and thank you for sharing your research.

I'm glad this has all been useful to so many here. The archivists told me that, following David Rockefeller's death earlier this year, they are processing many of his papers that were kept private while he was living. They expect to find a lot more on the St. Barth property in there. I'm planning a return visit to the archive whenever the relevant papers are available and I hope to get some insight on my central research question related to Rockefeller and St. Barth: how and why did he end up finding and selecting St. Barth as the site of his Caribbean vacation home? I'm interested in this because I study Caribbean development, in general, and St. Barth seems to be one of those cases where you can actually trace a major leap in an island's development history to one person and event. This question has already led me to Warren "Lindy" Lindquist, Rockefeller's personal assistant, who appears to have brokered the land-acquisition deals for him, but the details of the initial search are still murky (at least to me). I can envision a meeting in New York in the early 50s where Rockefeller might have said to Lindquist: get down to the Caribbean and find me a beautiful island where land is cheap, or something like that. I'll keep the members here updated on my work without--I hope--turning this from a travel forum to a research discussion! In case you're interested, more information about my overall research program is available here.

Ok, enough about my work. Please have a ti punch, turn away from the academic ramblings, and resume enjoying the joie de vivre of St. Barth.

-Russell

 

[amyb]

Will do just that, Russell. Will also watch for more of your informative posts.

 

[julianne]

Most interesting. Thank you for taking the time to post the photos and your research findings to date. I hope you are able to solve the mystery of what led David Rockefeller to St. Barth!