Guide to the Breckinridge Public Affairs Center (River House) Records, 1885-2003
The first series, Administrative Records, is restricted until 2024.
Breckinridge Public Affairs Center (River House): Records, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
Mary Marvin Breckinridge Patterson (1905-2002), granddaughter of B.F. and Mary Marvin Goodrich, daughter of John C. and Isabella Breckinridge, and wife of diplomat Jefferson Patterson, donated the Breckinridge estate in York, Maine, to Bowdoin College in 1973. On July 27, 1974, the 23 acre, 25 room estate, also known as River House, was dedicated as Bowdoin College's Breckinridge Public Affairs Center. For thirty years the College used the facility for classes, seminars, and meetings of educational, cultural, and civic groups. In October 2003 the College, following careful analysis, decided that continued ownership was impractical, and Breckinridge was sold in 2004.
This collection contains agreements, inventories, reports, correspondence, and other material concerning the administration of Breckinridge. Also included are images of River House, historical information about the house, biographical information about Mary Marvin Breckinridge Patterson, and printed ephemera.
See Barry Mills: Subject Files for information about the College's sale of Breckinridge. Additional administrative records regarding Breckinridge can be found in Roger Howell: Subject Files, A. LeRoy Greason: Subject Files, Robert H. Edwards: Subject Files, and Dean for Academic Affairs: Special Programs and Subject Files.
This series contains records regarding the transfer of River House to the College and the dedication of Breckinridge Public Affairs Center. There are inventories of River House as well as activity and financial reports. The bulk of the material is correspondence between Mrs. Patterson and College administrators. Principal correspondents include C. Warren "Johnny" Ring, Vice President of Development, Anne Underwood, Director of Breckinridge Public Affairs Center, 1982-1992, Gail Berneike, resident manager of Breckinridge, 1988-2003, Charles Beitz, Dean for Academic Affairs, and Craig McEwen, Dean for Academic Affairs. The office of Dean for Academic Affairs held administrative oversight of Breckinridge during much of the Public Affairs Center's operation.
Arranged alphabetically.
Restricted until 2024.
Agreements, 1973-1978
Alcohol policy, 1985
Bachulus project, 1985
Barn apartment, 1983-1990
Breckinridge Advisory Committee, 1973-1986
Breckinridge Director, 1974, 1982, 1988
Breckinridge website, 2000, 2001
Budgets, 1982-1991
Budgets (related to swimming pool request), 1982-1984
Certificate - National Register of Historic Places (photocopy), 1983
Correspondence - Bowdoin College to/from Mrs. Patterson, 1972-1974
Correspondence - Bowdoin College to/from Mrs. Patterson, 1974-1978
Correspondence - Bowdoin College to/from Mrs. Patterson, 1978-1981
Correspondence - Bowdoin College to/from Mrs. Patterson, 1982-1984
Correspondence - Bowdoin College to/from Mrs. Patterson, 1985-1992
Correspondence - Gail Berneike to/from Bowdoin College administrators, 1988-2003
Correspondence - Gail Berneike to/from Mrs. Patterson, 1974-2000
Dedication, 1973-1974
Dedication - invitation list, 1974
Exhibit at Bowdoin re: Mrs. Patterson's Frontier Nursing Service, 1985
Framing of Mrs. Patterson's Frontier Nursing Service photographs, 1995-1996
Inventories and garden lists, 1902, 1906, 1939-1940
Inventories, 1968-1981
Inventory, 1991 Mar
Inventory, 2003 Nov
MARPAT Foundation, 1988-1999
Notes re: River House photo album, n.d.
Portrait - Benjamin Franklin Goodrich, 1975
Reports re: activities at Breckinridge, 1973-1991
Reports - financial, 1985-1986
This series contains biographical information about the Goodrich, Breckinridge, and Patterson families and historical material concerning River House. Photographs, blueprints and plans of River of River House are included as well as brochures, guest registers, and other printed ephemera.
Arranged alphabetically by material type, and alphabetically within each material type.
No restrictions.
Breckinridge Public Affairs Center and Mrs. Patterson, 1974-2003
Mary Marvin Breckinridge Patterson, 1923, 1977-1988, n.d.
"Mary Marvin Breckinridge Patterson: From Career Broadcaster to Career Diplomatic Wife," by Ann Denton Behlen, 1982
Mrs. Patterson and River House history, 1956, 1967-1998, n.d.
"River House," interview with Mary Marvin Breckinridge Patterson, 1991 Sep, produced and narrated by Gail Berneike, edited by Abby Freedman
"River House and Mary Marvin Breckinridge Patterson," by David Lee Simmons, 1997
Blueprints of house for Mrs. B.F. Goodrich by Guy Lowell, architect, [1905]
Blueprint of alterations to house for J.C. Breckinridge by Guy Lowell, architect, [ca. 1913-1914]
Drawing of pool plumbing, 1959
Floor plans of River House drawn by John Blake Murphy, architect, in 1968 from 1926 plans
Floor plan, second floor, A.R. Warren, 1974
Map of property belonging to Mary M. Goodrich, 1925
Map of property belonging to Mrs. John C. Breckinridge, 1937
Photograph album presented at the dedication of River House, 1974 Jul 27 (images available in Archives Image Gallery)
Photograph album of River House, interior and exterior, 1988
Brochures, 1983-2003, n.d.
Guest register, 1975-1984
Guest register, 1985-1989
Guest register, 1990-1994
Guest register, 1995-2003
Miscellaneous, 1885, 1889, 1969, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992-1996, n.d.
Poems and songs by River House guests, 1953, 1970-1993