Friends of

DOWNTONF lorham ABBEY AT FLORHAM SPRING 2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES FRIENDS OF FLORHAM Valerie Adams Christine Adrignolo Carol Bere Samuel M. Convissor Dawn Dupak Elaine Earlywine Susan Garrubbo Beth Hennessy Jennifer Johnson Danielle Lindner Lisa MacNair Linda Meister Suzy Moran Antoinette C. Petrocelli Ann Wellbrock FROM LEFT: PETER WOOLLEY, FLORHAM CAMPUS PROVOST; DAWN DUPAK, PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF FLOR- HAM; ELLEN MORRIS, GUEST; MARY LOU CIRELLO, GUEST; LYNN CICERO, GUEST; JUDITH ISRAEL, INSTRUCTOR IN FILL; DONNA MCNAMARA, GUEST; GINNY DONEY, GUEST; AND JOHN SERVIDIO, GENERAL MANAGER, WJTV. HONORARY TRUSTEES “These are days of uncer- Dawn Dupak, president of the and the recently mounted re- Susan Adams tainty” Robert Crawley, Earl of Friends of Florham, was initial- production of Frederick Law Linda Carrington Phyllis Conway Grantham, gravely intones dur- ly approached by Debra Falk, Olmsted by John Singer Sar- Walter Cummins ing the first program of the final director of communications at gent. Then, they could move in- Gabriella D’Amico season of the immensely popu- NJTV, about the possibility of to Lenfell Hall (originally, the Emma Joy Dana lar TV series, “Downton Abbey.” mutually hosting a reception Drawing Room of the Twom- Kim Dougherty The year is 1925, the traditional and preview of th e first episode blys), which until 1955, housed Sandi Drucker way of life of the English land- of the season. The Friends wel- among other priceless furnish- Carol C. Knauff ed gentry is collapsing, their comed the opportunity to host ings and objects, Barberini Tap- Audrey Parker power eroding, their estates the event, while the Provost’s estries, three memorable crystal Troy Simmons sold — and, briefly, the various Office, under the direction of and brass chandeliers, and cur- Arthur T. Vanderbilt, II story lines of the sixth and final Campus Provost Peter Woolley, rently Twombly family portraits, season of “Downton Abbey” fo- signed on as a sponsor. Plans including the reproduction of a cus on change, on the ways in were set in motion, a reception well-known portrait of Florence UNIVERSITY LIAISONS Carol Black which the characters discover and schedule of events estab- Twombly painted by Sargent. Gary Darden new lives and roles in the shift- lished, and events got underway. Before the upstairs-down- Matthew Dikovics ing economic and social world At the outset, the original Van- stairs story of “Downton Ab- Sheldon Drucker of “Downton Abbey.” derbilt-Twombly Mansion (now bey” (filmed at Highclere Castle Eleanor Friedl Yet there was no uncer- Hennessy Hall) with its family in Hampshire) played on the Karin Hamilton tainty about the enthusiastic history and notable building, large screen, Peter Woolley wel- Brian Mauro response of the audience of influenced by the architecture comed the audience, while also Peter Woolley more than 130 people, some in of the Christopher Wren Wing pointing out that nonprofit orga- period costume, who watched at Hampton Court Palace, was nizations such as NJTV and FDU a preview of the first episode of definitely the appropriate place have essential public missions “Downton Abbey” in Lenfell Hall to screen the episode. Guests that enrich our lives. He then in- on December 14. They were could wander the long halls of troduced the various speakers, clearly visiting old friends — the the Mansion, where the recep- beginning with John Servidio, Crawleys, their relatives, and tion took place, check out the general manager of NJTV, and their servants. magnificent marble fireplace, (continued on page 3) PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Friends, Several of our guests came Table: A Luncheon at Florham.” I hope you have all received your Welcome to spring, one of our attired in period/period-inspired costumes, and everyone agreed invitations and are planning to at- favorite times at Florham. As the tend. Last year’s event was sold University prepares for the end of that the Mansion (Hennessy Hall) with its historic architecture and out and a huge success by every another term, the gardens come measure, and this year promises alive, and we look forward to our Vanderbilt-Twombly history was the perfect venue for this event. to be equally or even more suc- second annual “Return to the Tif- cessful. fany Table.” A special thanks to all of our Friends who remembered us dur- The “Mystery Box Raffle” returns Since I last wrote, we have with an offering different from last ing our annual appeal last winter. been busy welcoming two new year. The silent and live auctions You are most generous, and we board members, Susan Garrub- are also returning with the favorite honor you in all our projects. bo and Lisa MacNair and three items and experiences from last new honorary members, former Our work with NJTV continues year plus wonderful new addi- trustees Linda Carrington and on their first feature, “Florham,” in tions. Please join us for an excit- Carol Knauff and Walter Cum- the new Treasures of New Jersey ing luncheon and afternoon. mins, co-author of series. The filming is scheduled Florham: The Please mark your calendars for Lives of an American Estate, for fall 2016 with the first episode our 25th Anniversary Celebration, emeritus professor of English, and airing in the spring of 2017. Friday, September 23, 6–8 p.m. presently a faculty member in the We’ve made important prog- Highlights of the evening include MFA program in creative writing ress as we continue to tiptoe into the unveiling of the first phase at FDU. the digital age. Soon, the new au- of our Digital Portrait Project, the And the recruiting continues. dio guide, developed in coopera- premiere of a home movie filmed It’s exciting to grow and feel that tion with the Provost’s Office, will at Florham in the 1930s by Chef we remain an interesting and via- be available for upload onto a Donon, a cooking demonstration ble contributor to our community. smart phone or computer. This of one of Chef Donon’s recipes by self-guided tour of the Mansion Chef Jeff, book signings, notecard The “Downton Abbey” Pre- sales and a photo gallery of past view Party, co-hosted with NJTV, (Hennessy Hall), the Hassan Or- angerie, and the surrounding gar- projects. So much to celebrate — on December 14, 2015, was a and still so much to do! wonderful event, with interesting dens allows guests to tour at their guests and shared enjoyment of own pace; or they can even listen In closing, I ask you to please the classic show. Lenfell Hall and to the tour in any setting they remember to renew your mem- the Great Hall were abuzz as 130 choose. Be sure to check it out on bership this spring so that we can continue our vital preservation people gathered for refreshments our website: fdu.edu/fof. and restoration efforts at Florham. in anticipation of the first episode And now we are only a matter of the sixth and last season of of weeks away from the hottest Looking forward to seeing you “Downton Abbey” — a full seven social event of the year here at at Florham. weeks before it was televised. Florham, “Return to the Tiffany — Dawn Dupak RUTH HENNESSY REMEMBERED The Friends were saddened by of the Friends, including donor mention that she was honored by the passing of Honorary Trustee support of several of the Friends’ the National Society of Fundrais- Ruth S. Hennessy on February 22, annual fundraising galas. ing Executives as Outstanding Volunteer in 1989. 2016, and extend their condo- In addition, Ruth and Ed also lences to her husband, Ed Hen- established a major scholarship Ruth was a graduate of New nessy, alumnus, trustee, and gen- program at FDU, the Edward Jersey College for Women (now erous benefactor at FDU; and to L. Hennessy, Jr. and Ruth S. Douglass College), where in rec- her daughter, Beth, a trustee of Hennessy Foundation Endowed ognition of her continued com- the Friends of Florham. Scholarship, which provides aid mitment and loyalty, the Ruth to aspiring students. Schilling Hennessy Alumnae An “overview” of Ruth’s life re- Center was dedicated in her While this brief “résumé” can- veals an impressive career of name in 2003. Ruth was also not do justice to the range of community and philanthropic in- a founder of the Friends of the Ruth’s significant volunteer and volvement, as well as continuous Morristown Museum, where she fundraising efforts, we should encouragement of the activities served as a trustee for 35 years. 2 | FRIENDS OF FLORHAM DOWNTON ABBEY (continued)

WALTER CUMMINS, FRIENDS FROM LEFT: DAWN DUPAK, FRIENDS PRESIDENT, DEBRA FALK, DIRECTOR OF HONORARY TRUSTEE COMMUNICATIONS, AND SALLY GARNER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, NJTV-IMMG vice president of subsidiary sta- for the University’s successful Of related note, Judith Israel, an tions at WNET, who encouraged survey research group, Public- instructor in FILL, and smartly at- the audience to support NJTV, Mind™, founded in 2001 by Peter tired in period maid’s attire, spoke which offers quality arts, scien- Woolley.) about the successful “Downton ces, and history programs. Briefly, the documentary will Abbey” course offered at FDU for Of particular interest, Mr. Servi- follow the style of the popular the past two semesters. dio spoke about the first program “Treasures of New York” series Friends board members Carol in its upcoming series, “Treasures on PBS and focus on the history Bere, Sam Convissor, and hon- of New Jersey,” which is current- of the Vanderbilt-Twombly family, orary trustee and professor emer- ly in the early stages of devel- the development of the Florham itus of English, Walter Cummins opment under the guidance of estate, the Gilded-Age era in Mor- — all co-authors of Florham: The NJTV Executive Producer Sally ris County, the development of Lives of An American Estate — Garner, who was in attendance the FDU Florham Campus, and spoke, respectively, about Madi- at the event. The documentary has the University, in general. son Avenue, the original “Million- also received generous finan- aires Mile,” the building of Flor- cial support from the Friends of Bruce Peabody, professor of political science, and director of ham, the lives of the Twombly fam- Florham and Opinion America. ily, the auction at Florham in l955, (Owned and operated by alumni, the Florham Institute for Lifelong Learning (FILL), spoke about the the transition to FDU and the Opinion America is a data-collec- similarities and the differences tion company, and has been the institute and the variety of pro- grams offered to seniors in FILL. between Florham and Downton primary source of opinion data Abbey (See “Florham, Downton and Wroxton: The Rise and Fall of Great Estates” by Walter Cum- mins, on page 4.) And then it was time to watch the film and visit with the Craw- leys and their servants again; or as novelist Louis Bayard wit- tily wrote in The New York Times: “Downton Abbey,” Season 6, Epi- sode 1, “Warts and All.” JOHN SERVIDO, GENERAL MANAGER, FRIENDS TRUSTEE, SAM CONVISSOR — Carol Bere NJTV

BRUCE PEABODY, DIRECTOR, FLOR- AUDIENCE HAM INSTITUTE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING FRIENDS OF FLORHAM | 3 FLORHAM, DOWNTON, AND WROXTON: THE RISE AND FALL OF GREAT ESTATES

AUCTION AT FLORHAM, JUNE 1955

At first glance, a comparison nated as four Ts — Time, Title, considered an instant estate, cre- of Florham and Downton Ab- Treasure, and the latter’s bête ated as a complete project in bey may seem one of paral- noire, Taxes. Because Downton is less than a decade. While some lels. After all, Florham, along with a fictional reality with different cir- structures were added to the many other American estates cumstances from its real-life set- property, the mansion and other of its era, was created in emula- ting, Highclere Castle, those of originals were not altered during tion of the grand British country us at Fairleigh Dickinson also can the Twomblys’ residence. properties. Prominent architects refer to our own English estate, designed the buildings, as equal- Wroxton Abbey, for more perti- A fuller contrast may ly prominent landscape planners nent historical relationships. developed the vast acreage. Im- Time may be the most impor- be seen by examining portant art and elegant furnish- tant difference. The English es- ings filled the rooms. Elaborate what might be tates developed and changed dinners and entertainments dom- over centuries. Highclere dates designated as four Ts inated the social calendar. An en- back to the 12th, though the great tourage of servants, gardeners, — Time, Title, Treasure, house featured as Downton is a horse grooms, farmers, and the Victorian redesign by the same and the latter’s bête like toiled behind the scenes to architect, Sir Charles Barry, who polish the silver, stock the larder, noire, Taxes. created Parliament. tend the lawns, and husband the animals. Wroxton still has remnants of Another aspect of the Time con- its pre-Henry VIII existence as trast segues into Title. Florham, After all, Florham, an Augustinian priory in the early like many of its American coun- along with many other 1200s. When he demolished the terparts, was a one-generation monastery, King Henry gave the phenomenon for people of wealth American estates of site with vast land holdings to Sir and fame but without formal des- its era, was created Thomas Pope in 1537. His neph- ignations. Although Ruth Twom- in emulation of the ew, William Pope, began work on bly died after her mother, she had the present building at the start only two more years. Essentially, grand British country of the 17th century. When the Florence Twombly’s half-century properties. last of the Pope male line died plus at Florham embodies the life in 1681, the property passed to of the estate. the Norths through marriage. The Yet for all their many similari- south wing, the final section of The fictional Lord Granthams ties, Florham and Downton are the house, wasn’t added until the and the actual Lord Norths only cousins in relationship, and mid-19th century. passed on their titles from gen- in many senses, distant cousins. eration to generation, the es- A fuller contrast may be seen by Florham, in light of the High- tates they occupied at the core examining what might be desig- clere-Wroxton timelines, might be 4 | FRIENDS OF FLORHAM (continued on page 5) FLORHAM, DOWNTON, AND WROXTON: (continued) of their aristocratic lineage and 1923. His widow auctioned off art Florham itself was considered responsibility. Each successive and jewelry to save the estate. as a site for homes that would lord felt an obligation to maintain When William, the 11th Baron have expanded Florham Park’s and advance the residences that North died at age 96 in 1932, population by 8,000, much to the symbolized their standing in so- all the historic furnishings were anxiety of the town. As it did a ciety. As much as they enjoyed auctioned off a year later. Wrox- decade later with Wroxton, Fair- luxuries, they also had duties to ton Abbey for a time served as leigh Dickinson stepped in and their communities and roles in the a warehouse for a department saved the day. governance of their country. The store, and later, under a lease to In both the United Kingdom American estate owners could a Lady Pearson, was divided into and the United States, a few sur- dedicate themselves to invest- apartments and a tearoom. Both viving estates have become uni- ments and show. ventures failed, and the property versity campuses. But more often Families like the Vanderbilts and became too costly to manage they have been converted into Twomblys were newcomers to and maintain. Perhaps if Fairleigh museums, memories of a lost life- wealth and prominence. Although Dickinson had not purchased it style. Exhibiting the furnishings of the Twomblys go back to the for an English campus 30 years their glorious pasts, they endure Boston Brahmins, that going after the auction, Wroxton would by selling tickets of admission to back is still brief in light of the have been added to the demoli- visitors and reproductions in their Granthams, Popes, and Norths. tion list. gift shops. They hire themselves The significant Vanderbilt gen- out as sites for weddings and lo- erations can be counted on one Perhaps if Fairleigh cations for films and TV series. hand, three fingers to be precise. A few — like England’s Woburn Dickinson had not The matter of wealth leads to Abbey or Longleat — find profit another T, Treasure. The English purchased it for an in populating the grounds with exotic animals that roam while estate owners were running out English campus 30 of it, in good part because of the people drive through in cars with revocation of Corn Laws in 1846 years after the auction, tightly sealed windows. that ended protective tariffs for Wroxton would have In the sixth and final “Downton imported grain, and with it the Abbey” season Lord Grantham land owners’ domination over been added to the does open his home to paying the profits of farming. The wealthy demolition list. visitors, as he and the Crawley Americans possessed more than family confront economic reali- enough treasure to indulge os- ties. The staff shrinks, but the final tentation, resulting in the creation Like Wroxton, Florham had its episodes emphasize the joys of of estates such as Florham. The own auction of furnishings and love, marriage, and babies rather Americans sought prominence effects in 1955. Florence’s grand- than the looming hard times. It’s and prestige. The English sought sons, William and Shirley Bur- a fictional escape that avoids the funding. The result was the mar- den, did not want the expense of fact that the imaginary Downton riages between titled Englishmen maintaining Florham. Such was will face the future of the real and American heiresses. Cora in the fate of many one-generation Highclere, an elegant building Downton is a fictional example, American estates that were torn supported by visitor fees. At least Consuelo Vanderbilt, the niece down and replaced by corporate it will avoid the public auctions of of Florence Vanderbilt Twombly, headquarters, commercial build- Wroxton and Florham. who became Duchess of Marl- ings and housing developments. — Walter Cummins borough, an actual one. Such financial arrangements turned out to be stopgap. By the mid-20th century, the fourth T, Taxation, diminished the treasure that sustained both the English and American estates. In Britain high death duties and tax bills led to the demolition of approximate- ly 1,200 properties during the 20th century because they be- came too expensive to maintain. Highclere Castle had a death duty of one-third of its value when the fifth Earl of Carnarvon died in WROXTON ABBEY FRIENDS OF FLORHAM | 5 RETURN TO THE TIFFANY TABLE: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

FROM LEFT: JACK SHARESHIAN, HADJ DANAN, LINDA BOPP, AND MICHAEL PLANTE FROM TIFFANY & CO., AND FRIENDS COMMIT- TEE MEMBERS DANIELLE LINDNER AND JENNIFER JOHNSON.

JENNIFER JOHNSON AND THE OPENING OF THE BOXES

Save the date! On Friday, May For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Michele 20, at 11:30 a.m., plan to join the Bottcher at 201-692-7011 or at [email protected]. Friends for a “Return to the Tiffany Table: A Luncheon at Florham” in Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall. The Friends of Florham are thrilled to partner again with one of the most notable jewelers of the Gild- Return to the ed Age and today’s best dressed to celebrate history, impressive Tiffany Table: design and classic good taste. There will be a “Mystery Box” A Luncheon at Florham raffle, a different offering from last year, table favors, and silent and Friday, May 20, 2016, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. live auctions in which favorites Florham Campus, Fairleigh Dickinson University from last year will be joined by Ticket price is $150 prior to May 1; $175 after May 1. many new fabulous items. The Friends are excited about the opportunity to offer an exciting historical perspective on the Van- derbilt-Twombly lifestyle with this luncheon. Based on the amazing success of the 2015 event, we promise another stimulating after- noon with great food, interesting insights and good friends! Please join us for what will be an unforgettable event. All pro- ceeds from the luncheon will sup- port the Friends continuing work to preserve Florham. 6 | FRIENDS OF FLORHAM FRIENDS BOARD ADDS NEW TRUSTEES The Friends are pleased to wel- of Health Administration at Seton responsible for all aspects of the come Susan Garrubbo and Lisa Hall. business, which included clini- MacNair to the Board of Trust- cal, contracting, facility manage- Volunteer work also has been ees. Both Susan and Lisa have an integral part of Susan’s ré- ment, and strategic planning, exceptional backgrounds and sumé, and among other groups, among other activities. experience, and the Friends look she has been actively involved at Lisa earned a BS in biology, forward to working with them on Morristown Medical Center and with a minor in history, at Wash- their various projects. the Morris County Food Pantry. ington State University, and has Susan Garrubbo recently re- She lives in Mendham, with her an MBA from the Lake Forest tired after 33 years with Barnabas husband, Joseph, and their two School of Management, with em- Health, where she was president children, Nicholas and Jenna. phasis on health care. She has and CEO of the outpatient division Lisa MacNair recently moved also been a panel speaker at the and senior vice president for the to New Jersey from the Chi- national level for the health care corporation. Over the course of cago area, where she had lived industry, and is currently on the her career, she was involved in a for more than 20 years, when her board of the New Jersey Medical variety of activities including com- husband was offered a new Group Management Association. munity outreach, human resourc- job opportunity in Elizabeth. Of Lisa was also an active volun- es, customer service, and program course, this move provided a teer while living in Illinois, includ- and business development. gain for the Friends as Lisa also ing working with Bernie’s Book brings years of her own profes- Bank in Lake Forest, which pro- Susan has a BA in psycho- sional experience to the Board. logy, with a minor in history, from vides book ownership to at-risk Seton Hall University, and has More specifically, Lisa worked children in Chicago, and the an MA in industrial/organizational primarily in the health care indus- United Way of Lake County, Ill. try for more than 30 years, the Lisa and her husband, Dave, live psychology from FDU. She is cur- last 16 years at Lake Forest Pe- in Madison, and have two daugh- rently a mentor at the Graduate diatric Associates, Lake Bluff, Ill., ters: Meg, an attorney, and Eliza- Program for Organizational Be- where she was director of man- beth, who works in digital mar- havior at FDU, and an adjunct aged care, director, and execu- keting, who continue to reside in professor in the Graduate School tive director for the last 16 years, the Midwest. A FAREWELL TO LINDA AND CAROL Linda Carrington and Carol da wrote or co-wrote articles for projects under the direction of for- Knauff, two long-term, extreme- the newsletter about Wheatsheaf, mer president Linda Meister; and ly productive members of the the Kissel house; and about was one of the first contributors Friends board, have retired from the “mystery” of the travel diary of to the J. Michael Adams Room at active involvement, and were a Vanderbilt relative discovered Wroxton College. unanimously voted Honorary in a third-floor closet in the Man- Carol has also been involved Trustees. Although the overview sion (Hennessy Hall); researched in many areas of University life, (below) of their work as board and created family trees of the and received, among other sig- members is necessarily brief, Burden and Twombly families; nificant awards, the Elia G. Stra- we cannot stress enough that and brought us up-to-date on tis CASTLE Award, the highest both Linda and Carol have con- the history and whereabouts of award the Alumni Association tributed much to the realization Mrs. Twombly’s Aeolian organ. presents annually to a graduate Not least, Linda also gave tours of the operations and mission of who has demonstrated a lifetime of the Mansion, and served as the Friends. of outstanding loyalty and service liaison for the Friends webpage. to the University. Carol and her Linda, an alumna of FDU, Carol joined the Friends board husband, Jeffrey, established the joined the Friends board in 2001. in 2007, holds an MBA from Fair- Knauff Family Endowed Scholar- A relatively brief list indicates the leigh Dickinson, and has been in- ship in honor of the Alumni Asso- range of Linda’s significant con- volved in several critical areas of cation Board of Governors. tributions. She maintained and the Friends’ activities: she served developed the membership list We thank Linda and Carol for in the vital position of secretary of their valuable contributions to the to over 1,700 names, and kept the the Friends board; was active record of financial contributions. board, and look forward to seeing in the production of the Friends’ them at future Friends events. A researcher extraordinaire, Lin- lecture series; worked on several

FRIENDS OF FLORHAM | 7 FRIENDS OF FLORHAM The Library 285 Madison Avenue Madison, New Jersey 07940 Visit the Friends of Florham online at fdu.edu/fof and at https://www.facebook.com/ fdufriendsofflorham

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Name______Address______City______State______Zip______Telephone______ORDER THE BOOK Please check desired category: Your gift is tax-deductible Copies may be purchased at the Florham Campus bookstore and q $25 — Friend q $50 — Special Friend online through Amazon.com. the q $100 — Contributor q $200 — Supporter Friends’ website fdu.edu/fof or through the Fairleigh Dickinson q $500 — Patron q $1,000 — Sponsor University Alumni Association Please mail your check to: website at www.myfdu.net/fofbook. Friends of Florham, The Library For questions concerning your or- Fairleigh Dickinson University der, please contact Karin Hamilton Florham Campus at (201) 692-7035 or hamilton@fdu. 285 Madison Avenue edu. Madison, N.J. 07940