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Archives of American Gardens
Roche collection, circa 1954-1970
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAG.ROC
- Creators:
-
Roche, John P.Roche, Mary Alice
- Dates:
-
circa 1954-1970
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.5 Cubic feet28 Transparenciescol.4 x 5 in.62 Photographic printsb&w8 x 10 in.1 Photographic printcol.2.5 x 3.5 inches3 Transparenciescol.120mm
- Repository:
The Roche Collection documents some of the work of John and Mary Alice Roche, garden photographers who photographed numerous gardens throughout the United States. Several of the Roches' images appeared in popular gardening magazines and books on flower arranging from the 1950s and 1960s.
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
The Roche Collection includes twenty-five private gardens dating from the 1950s and 1960s photographed by John and Mary Alice Roche in California, Maine, Missouri, New York, and New Jersey. The Roches typically indicated the garden owner name, location, plant varieties and special features on the backs of many of the color transparency mounts and black and white photographs. Some images are labeled as to which publication they appeared in. All images are stamped on the back with original licensing information.
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
John and Mary Alice Roche opened a studio for horticultural photography in Caldwell, New Jersey, in 1945. Together they photographed gardens and flower arrangements for numerous publications including House Beautiful, House and Garden, Horticulture, Popular Gardening, Flower Grower, Farm Journal, American Home, Family Circle, McCall's, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Bulletin as well as for several books. Images by the Roches in newspapers and magazines were credited to 'Roche.'
Both Roches graduated from the Clarence H. White School of Photography in New York City; John Roche later went on to teach there. He was an associate of the Photographic Society of America and a member of the Royal Photographic Society. His work was exhibited in a number of one man shows.
Mary Alice Roche wrote about gardens for a number of magazines and newspapers. She and her husband also lectured on nature photography.
The Roches co-wrote a book, Photographing Your Flowers; a Practical Guide for Indoor and Outdoor Use.
According to the Sensory Awareness Foundation, Mary Alice Roche and Charlotte Selver established the Sensory Awareness Foundation in 1971. Roche was its managing secretary and bulletin editor for many years. She was also a director of The Lifwynn Foundation.
Administration
Author
Beth Page
Immediate Source of Acquisition Note
Mary Alice Roche donated the collection of images to the Archives of American Gardens in 2003.
Custodial History note
The Roche Collection was sorted and arranged by a member of the Garden Club of America prior to its being donated to the Archives of American Gardens.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access note
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Conditions Governing Use note
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Related Materials
Related Materials
The Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, Tucson, includes photographs taken and/or developed by John P. Roche in its Photograph Collection.
More Information
Bibliography
Bibliography
Roche, Mary Alice and John P. Photographing Your Flowers; a Practical Guide for Indoor and Outdoor Use. 1955.
Berrall, Julia S. Flowers in Glass. Studio Publications, in association with Crowell, 1954.
Berrall, Julia S. History of Flower Arrangements. London, New York: Studio Publications, in association with Crowell, 1953.
Berrall, Julia S. Flowers and Table Settings. New York: Studio Publications, in association with Crowell, 1951.
Brooks, Myra J. with Mary Alice and John P. Roche. The Magic World of Flower Arranging. New York: Morrow, 1967.
Brooks, Myra J. with Mary Alice and John P. Roche. New Horizons in Flower Arrangement. New York: M. Barrows and Company, 1956.
Brooks, Myra J. Flower Arrangement Work Books. New York: M. Barrows, 1953-. Cutler, Katherine N. Junior Flower Arrangements. New York: M. Barrows, 1954.
Gannon, Ruth Tuttle. Decorating With House Plants. Studio Publications, in association with Crowell, 1952.
Gannon, Ruth Tuttle. Winter Bouquets with Color. Studio Publications, in association with Crowell, 1951.
Hull, Helen S. Wild Flowers for Your Garden. New York: M. Barrows, 1952. Wilson, Adelaide B. Color in Flower Arrangement. New York: M. Barrows, 1954.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardens -- Missouri | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Gardens -- Maine | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Gardens -- California | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Gardens -- United States | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Gardens -- New Jersey | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Gardens -- New York (State) | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Photographic prints | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Transparencies | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Slides (photographs) | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Repository Contact
Archives of American Gardens
P.O. Box 37012
Capital Gallery West, Suite 3300, MRC 506
Washington, DC 20013-7012
aag@si.edu
