Day: November 18, 2020

Directions: Select TWENTY-FIVE (25) out of the one hundred and two questions below and respond in essay format and submit as an attachment via Canvas.

1.) Describe the authors credentials and professional relationship to Miss Ima Hogg.

2.) Describe how Ms. Ima came to have been given the name of Ima.

3.) Why did future governor James Stephen Hogg grow up in such reduced economic circumstances from his much-admired brother Thomas Elisha Hogg?

4.) Describe the circumstantial/conditional differences between the Hoggs and the Stinsons.  Warren writes that both sides of Ms. Imas family were of genteel southern stock.  What happened to impoverish the Hoggs?

5.) From what childhood experiences at the East Texas Stinson farm did Warren suggest were the stimuli for Ms. Imas interest in American antique furnishings?

6.) What event took James Stephen Hogg and his family to Mineola thus causing Ms. Imas birth in that small northeast Texas town. 

7.) Describe one of Ms. Imas most striking physical features that led to her first nickname bestowed upon her by her oldest brother Will.

8.) In 1886 after two years in Tyler practicing law, the Hoggs relocated to Austin.  Why?

9.) At age five Ms. Ima began school in the Austin public school system; she also began her study of what subject that became a lifelong enthusiasm.  (Hint: Given a change in her situation and familys good fortune, this study might have provided a successful career.)

10.) Describe Ms. Imas childhood relationship to her siblings.

11.) Why did Warren write, The four years in the Governors Mansion, during Jims two terms, were probably the happiest of Imas young life.

Why are there to this blessed day large nail holes in the Texas Governors Mansions main stairway railing?
13.) Describe Ms. Imas first trip to Americas east coast?  What was the ostensible occasion?  Why did her mother not come along?

14.) Describe the Hogg familys economic situation in the spring of 1895.  What happened that September to change the family and Ms. Imas role in it forever?

15.)  Identify Aunt Fannie, and describe the difference between the role she was asked to play in Ms. Imas immediate family and the role she actually played?

16.) Describe how Will Hogg interacted with Ms. Ima.

17.) Why did Warren suggest that Will Hoggs attitude toward his sisters future raiseda conflict and resultant stress that Ima would battle until she reached middle age.

18.) Contrast Ms. Imas elder brothers relationship with her to her fathers.

19.) Describe Ms. Imas time at the University of Texas.  What subject, taught by whom attracted her greatest interest. 

20.) Describe how Varner Plantation near West Columbia came into Hogg family possession and how did Governor Hogg envision its future?

21.) 1901 brought several important personal, professional, family, and financial events into Ms. Imas life.  Describe them.

22.) How did Ms. Ima come to meet future World War II Pacific Commander Douglas MacArthur?

23.) In addition to the social events that occupied Ms. Ima during her years at the turn of the twentieth century in New York City, she spent a great deal of her time doing what?

24.) What evidence suggests the superlative level of Ms. Imas musicianship at the end of her first year of piano study in New York City in 1903?

25.) Why, in light of her musical success by 1903, was she described by a friend as, so sad, forlorn, and in the dumps.

26.) What event, according to Warren, suggested that Ms. Ima would not return to the New York City musical conservatory?

27.) What evidence shows clearly that Ms. Ima, during her young adulthood, enjoyed significant attention from the opposite sex?

28.) Describe a turn of the 20th century flower parade.

29.) What 1905 event began Governor Hoggs fatal decline?  How did he attempt to regain his health?

30.) If, upon Governor Hoggs death, you wished to write Ms. Ima a condolence note, to what address would you send it? (Theres a trick here.)

31.) What was unique about New York Citys Martha Washington Hotel which might well explain why she lived there after her fathers death and her return to New York?

32.) Why was Napoleon so important to Ms. Ima? (Trick here!!)

33.) Warren speculates several explanations for why Ms. Ima chose to remain unmarried, despite several serious proposals.  What suggestions did Warren offer for her life of, as Queen Victoria said of her hopes that her youngest daughter would remain, in a life of single blessedness. 

34.) According to Warren, Ms. Imas extended visit to Germany between 1907 and 1908 represented several firsts in her life, such as?

35.) Describe the process that led Ms. Ima to establish her permanent home in Houston?

36.) Describe Houstons musical landscape as of 1909.

37.) Describe Ms. Imas relationship to organized religion.

38.) Trace the twisted history of the birth of what Ms. Ima referred to as, her baby.

39.) Describe Ms. Imas distinctive experiences at the outbreak of World War I.

40.) Describe her views about the causes of that war and explain her rationale for the ambivalence she felt about Great Britains and Germanys wartime justifications. 

41.) What was Ms. Imas contribution to the 1915 decision to divest the Hogg familys stock in Texaco?  What does her contribution to this significant financial decision reflect about her role in her own finances?

42.) In 1915, Ms. Ima donated $1,000 to an organization called The Houston Art League.  What were the Leagues initial objectives that wouldve appealed to Ms. Imas civic inclinations?  What institution ultimately emerged from the League?

43.) Describe the process by which three of the four Hogg siblings came to own their first Houston residence.  Where was it located?  For how long did they live there?

44.) How did American entry into World War I effect Ms. Ima?

45.) Describe the factors that led to Ms. Imas stay at the sanitarium in Kerhonkson, New York in 1918.

46.) At the beginning of the 20th century, what today would be known as depression was referred to how?  What was the accepted treatment at the time?  Describe Ms. Imas emotional health in 1918-1919.

47.) What caused a permanent antagonism between Texaco co-founders and business partners Will Hogg and J.S. Cullinan in 1919?

48.) What January 1918 event led to the Hogg familys great wealth?

49.) What evidence suggests that by spring 1920 Ms. Imas emotional and physical health was improved?

50.) If real estate is an effective gauge of wealth, what real estate-related events in 1920 suggest the Hoggs recent financial enrichment.

51.) Given the Hoggs newfound means and Will Hoggs expansive personal style, what was extraordinary about his collection of Frederic Remingtons paintings?

52.) In addition to the production of Ms. Imas 1920 portrait by Wayman Adams, another, more significant, event transpired during her sittings in Adams New York City studio.  Describe the event that triggered a lifelong enthusiasm.

53.) Identify some of Ms. Imas competitors in the field of collecting early American creative art and antiques.  To what great public institutions did their collections go?

54.) According to Warren, what explains Ms. Imas enthusiasm for collecting Texian Campaign transferware and other Mexican War-related items?

55.) Who was Henry Davis Sleeper and what role did he play in Ms. Imas collection?

56.) Describe the process by which a new residential development christened River Oaks took shape.

57.) What unique, Hoggian features of River Oaks set it apart from other Houston subdivisions such as Cullinans Shadyside or Courtlandt Place?

58.) What led the Hoggs to select the lot they chose on which to build their own home in their new neighborhood?

59.) How and why did a warm relationship develop between Ms. Ima and John Staub?

60.) Describe the process by which the Hoggs new home in River Oaks got its name.

61.) Why did Ms. Ima write, concerning the design of her new homes exterior, It is going to be Southern colonial with a Latin flavor, if there is such a thing.

62.) While the Hoggs new home suggests a romantic antebellum plantation home, as Warren points out, the family already owned one of those; what set the River Oaks house apart from the real thing at Varner Plantation?

63.) Although the interior at Bayou Banks, as it was initially called, was designed for three single adult Hogg siblings, in less than two years, what changed that left Ms. Ima the sole resident for the next four decades.

64.) What project did Ms. Imas stay at the Stockbridge Institute stimulate?

65.) What surprising new collecting enthusiasm did Ms. Imas visit to Santa Fe produce?  This new interest, according to Warren, brought some of the most important pieces to her collection. 

66.) How did Ms. Ima, according to her own assessment, become an instant collector of Kachina dolls?

67.) Describe how Ms. Ima came to see modernist art for the first time.  Describe her reaction to it.

68.) Describe Warrens assessment of Ms. Imas modernist collection.

69.) Describe the somewhat troubled rebirth of the Houston Symphony Association in the early 1930s.

70.) Who was Ruth London and what was her contribution to Bayou Bend?

71.) What was likely the motive for extending Bayou Bends northernmost gardens?

72.) According to Warren, the inclusion of Italian marble sculpture in the gardens represented an important philosophical change in her garden.  Describe that change.

73.) From what St. Francisville, Louisiana supplier did Ms. Ima secure most of her gardens plant material?  (With what other, more well-known product is his family and Avery Island, La. associated?  BONUS QUESTION since the answers not in the book.  HINT: The suppliers other business is a HOT topic!)

74.) What stopped not only Ms. Imas garden project but most others in 1939? (This ones too easy, but what the hell.)

75.) Who was perhaps Ms. Imas most important co-collector of American decorative arts?  He was famously the guiding force behind of the nations largest collection of American decorative arts.  How did Ms. Ima come to meet him? (Hint:  It wasnt in a gallery or antique store or anywhere having to do with their shared interest in the decorative arts.)

76.) Describe the genesis and unique focus of the Hogg Foundation.  Explain its ground-breaking qualities.

77.) In what significant, obvious way did the Hogg Foundation reflect Ms. Imas lifelong concern?

78.) Who was Robert L. Sutherland and what was his role in the Hogg Foundation?  Assess his and Ms. Imas interactions.

79.) What distinguished the Ima Hogg Foundation, founded in the 1960s with a separate gift of $500,000.00, from the earlier Hogg Foundation?  The difference between them helps explain why, in her will, Ms. Imas estate went to the foundation in her own name.

80.) Describe Ms. Imas reasons for running for a seat on the Houston School Board in 1943.

81.) Explain how, in her capacity as a member of the Houston School Board, she was able to successfully demonstrate her belief in equality for all.

82.) Describe Ms. Imas automobile driving history and skill level.

83.) According to Warren, what was Imas most important achievement during her tenure on the school board.

84.) Access Ms. Imas involvement with the Houston Symphony Orchestra in the post-World War II era.

85.) What did Ms. Imas 1947 purchase of a suite of mid-19th century Rococo Revival furniture by John Henry Belter suggest about her skill and courage as a collector of Americana?

86.) Why was the 1946 acquisition of the Boston-made bombe desk and bookcase from New York dealer Joe Kindig so important to the quality of the Bayou Bend Collection?

87.) Describe Ms. Imas reaction to the post World War II developments in commercial aviation.

88.) Who was Charles Bybee and what role did he play in the Bayou Bend Collection?

89.) What 1960 purchase for $35,000.00 was the most expensive single item, up to that time, in the collection?  How did Ms. Ima decide to bite the financial bullet and agree to the purchase?

90.) Why, according to Warren, is the painting, Pleasure Party by a Mill by Peale such an important addition to Ms. Imas collection?

91.) At the age of 81, Ms. Ima reluctantly but ultimately sold both of her much- loved Picasso paintings acquired so long ago in Paris to purchase what?  Why did she finally decide to make the sacrifice?

92.) According to Warren, what extraordinary feature of Ms. Imas collection elevates it among the other fine collections of American decorative arts?

93.) After years of friendship, collecting, and exchanged Christmas gifts, Henry Francis du Pont urged Ms. Ima to refer to him by his nickname, Harry.  What was Ms. Imas modest, instinctive reaction to his suggestion?

94.) Trace the various challenges, including the cost in actual money, to transform Ms. Imas home into a house museum.

95.) How did Ms. Imas solution for sustaining the beauty of Bayou Bends gardens reflect her lifelong commitment to volunteerism and shared responsibility?

96.) How does the docent/guide system at Bayou Bend differ from that at most other decorative arts musea.

97.) What was the final, official valuation of the Bayou Bend collection when it became part of Houstons Museum of Fine Arts?  What was Ms. Imas reaction?

98.) According to Ms. Imas remarks at the official 1966 reception marking the dedication of Bayou Bends new role in Houston, how did she describe the collections greater purpose?

99.) What did Warren conclude triggered Ms. Imas final projects in Fayette County?

100.) How did Warren evaluate publication of the groundbreaking book focusing on Texas-made furniture: Ms. Imas final project?

101.) Acknowledging Ms. Imas lack of interest in fine wine, Warren illustrates it by pointing out that at her exclusive, pre-symphony concert dinners for Houstons elite, she proudly served what beveragewarmed? (Its impolite to gag.)

102.) What surprising evidence does Warren give to support his conclusion that Ms. Ima Hogg never lost her enthusiasm for new things.