Friends of

DEDICATIONF lorham OF J. MICHAEL ADAMS Fall 2013 PRESIDENTIAL SUITE AT WROXTON Board of Trustees Friends of Florham The dedication of Room #2 is the room Valerie Adams the J. Michael Adams where President Ad- Kathleen Atencio Presidential Suite was ams stayed during Carol Bere held on Sunday, April his annual visits to Linda Carrington Denise Bridgens Collins 21, 2013, at Wroxton the Abbey, and since Samuel M. Convissor Abbey, the Fairleigh Wroxton was one of Phyllis Conway Dickinson University his favorite places, Emma Joy Dana campus near Banbury, this was a beautiful Dawn Dupak England. This tribute tribute. Elaine Earlywine was initiated in May The former abbey Beth Hennessy of 2012 by Friends of Carol C. Knauff is listed on the Eng- Florham board mem- Linda Meister ber Carol Knauff and lish Historic Regis- Suzy Moran her husband, Jeff, ter, and, as such, Kathryn Greer Murphy when President Ad- décor must be rep- Antoinette C. Petrocelli ams announced his resentative of the Ann Wellbrock retirement from the period, or from the University. Friends years 1668 to 1746. Honorary Trustees President Linda Meis- Suzy Moran, inte- Susan Adams ter endorsed the proj- rior designer and Kim Dougherty ect, and an immediate Friends board mem- Ruth Hennessy fundraising campaign ber, with substantial Audrey Parker ensued. knowledge of the Arthur T. Vanderbilt, II Wroxton was first re- FROM LEFT: DEAN OF WROXTON COLLEGE NICHOLAS historic houses of corded in 1089; Wrox- BALDWIN, LATE PRESIDENT ADAMS’ SON BEN, FDU PRESIDENT England, agreed to University Liaisons SHELDON DRUCKER AND SUSAN ADAMS, FOLLOWING THE Carol Black ton manor became a oversee this im- UNVEILING OF THE PORTRAIT OF MICHAEL ADAMS. Gary Darden priory dedicated to St. portant project and Sheldon Drucker leigh Dickinson acquired the enlisted the help of her friend Mary around 1216. In 1536, when Eleanor Friedl Henry VIII dissolved the mon- property from Trinity College and fellow designer, Lady Hen- Brian Mauro asteries, one of the people to in 1965. rietta Spencer-Churchill. It was Susan McConville profit from his action was Thom- The master bedroom at Wrox- especially interesting that Lady Peter Woolley as Pope, treasurer of the Court of ton, or Room #2, has housed Henrietta Spencer-Churchill is Augmentation, who purchased many dignitaries through the the great-granddaughter of the lease to what remained of years, including Winston Church- Consuelo Vanderbilt, who was this property. Founder of Trinity ill. It is where Walter Savage and the niece of Florence Vanderbilt College, Oxford, Pope estab- his wife, Patty, stayed in their first Twombly of Florham. lished an endowment, which year at Wroxton in l966. Although The presidential suite was included the lands of Wroxton, the furnishings had been refurbished in keeping with the and ensured the right of lease “freshened” through the years, Regency Period, in which forms renewal for his male heirs. Fair- it was time for a total makeover. (continued on page 3) President’s Letter Dear Friends, of these photographs, Friends of and Mead, was largely respon- The Friends of Florham is for- Florham had Shirley Burden’s pho- sible for the interior decoration tunate to have a hard-working tos digitally archived and available of Florham. The lecture will take committed board, whose mem- online. Several of the images hang place on Sunday, November 10. bers are willing to put in the time in the Great Hall. Interior designer Our annual gala is on Sat- and resources needed to com- Suzy Moran suggested hanging urday, September 28, and we plete so many of the projects more in the Provost’s Office, mak- are honoring Fairleigh Dickinson’s detailed in this letter. This year, ing these historic images immedi- new president, Sheldon Drucker. we were pleased to add Valerie ately accessible to the visitor. When we initiated the tribute to Adams and Ann Petrocelli to our In addition, carpeting and chairs Michael Adams at the campus board. Please join me in welcom- were replaced and new lamps in England, President Drucker’s ing Valerie and Ann, who are added. Window treatments are support enabled us to do far more formally introduced to you in this being fabricated. All these chang- than we originally planned to do. issue of the newsletter, es will emphasize the rich detail of His assistance made the renova- The renovation of the Provost’s this beautiful space and provide tion a total transformation, and Office on the first floor of Hen- an enhanced suite of offices. we appreciate that commitment nessy Hall was the primary focus Campus Provost Peter Woolley and his cooperation. Please join of the Friends of Florham during shared his delight with the trans- us in honoring President Drucker the first months of 2013. Formerly formation and reports that cam- and his wife, Sandi, who will join Mr. Twombly’s library, this space, pus visitors are also impressed. our board this year. with its magnificent marble fire- And there are many more visi- At the turn of the 20th cen- place, is thought to be the most tors. An audience of almost 100 tury, Morristown was home to impressive in the mansion. It was attended our last lecture, Ulysses many gilded-age mansions, all the last large room on the man- Grant Dietz’s “Money, Beauty, designed by America’s best ar- sion’s first floor still in need of a Power: The Transformation of chitects. Florham is one of the renovation that would make it more Taste in the Gilded Age.” We are few remaining. We are lucky to representative of the gilded age. delighted to have such an inter- be able to utilize and preserve In 1954, prior to its sale to FDU, ested membership. a building that demonstrates the Mrs. Twombly’s grandson, Shirley We look forward to hearing Sam richness of this era of American Burden, photographed the man- White speak on his recent book, history and architecture. Your generosity has made it all pos- sion and its grounds. Recognizing Stanford White, Architect. Stan- both the artistic and historic value ford White, a partner with McKim sible. — Linda Meister Farewell and Thank You This year, Audrey Parker re- us the singing group “The Ten,” is not far away, and we hope to tired from active service on the who enhanced our experiences. see her and her delightful hus- Friends of Florham board and A Madison, N.J., resident, Audrey band, Henry, on the dance floor is now an honorary board at the September Gala. member. Audrey served Alan Kushen, a Friends of on the board since its Florham board member for formation in 1990. Chic many years, now resides in and charming, her good Florida with his lovely wife, taste and excellent advice Natalie Best. An attorney, were always invaluable to who in retirement served in Friends of Florham during many voluntary capacities, these years. Audrey sup- Alan was most helpful to ported our gala with her our board with legal advice assistance with the band and solid reasoning. We will expenses and by bringing Audrey Parker Alan Kushen miss him very much. 2 | Friends of Florham Presidential Suite (continued from page 1) and motifs from ancient Greece The desk is situated beneath and Rome were the basis of the the windows that now feature style. A classical frieze borders the dramatic striped dra​peries from room, bringing the coving, mold- floor to ceiling over light-and-airy ing and the ornate plasterwork sheers. The elegantly fringed on the ceiling together. During pelmet completes the window this renovation, the walls were ensemble and adds emphasis to completely restored and repaint- the height of the room. ed with period-appropriate colors. The biggest transformation Gilding was added to the fire- is the bathroom; this renovation place surround to enhance the makes the suite truly a five-star original carvings and gilt work. FOUR-POSTER, CARVED MAHOGANY environment, yet in keeping with BED WITH BEDSIDE CHEST The furniture focal point of the overall theme. As the pictures the room is a grand, historically show, there is now a genuine appropriate, four-poster, carved- shower, beautifully tiled and ap- mahogany bed. The antique bed pointed. The carved walls were frame was resized and enlarged cleaned and restored and create to king size, and a padded head- a wonderful juxtaposition to the board was added. The bed hang- new white tiles. There is a small ings match the window pelmets vanity with a lighted mirror and and Regency-striped panels. a hair dryer. As anyone who has visited the Abbey knows, access The bed grouping is completed to a hairdryer in the bathroom is with two chests of drawers in ma- luxury indeed. hogany, circa 1810, that serve NEW SHOWER as bedside tables and provide The Friends were able to ex- a surface for lamps and clothing pand the project to include the storage. Their authenticity comple- bathroom renovation with the ments the room. support of FDU President Shelley Drucker. His opinion was that the The 23 framed images on the bathroom needed to be updated, walls are illustrations from a book and it made sense to deal with all on literature that was in Michael the construction issues simulta- Adams’ personal collection. Ad- neously. Redoing any bathroom is ditionally, there is a plaque thank- a huge project, and a renovation ing the individual donors for their VANITY WITH LIGHTED like this in a 13th-century struc- MIRROR AND HAIRDRYER contributions and commemorat- ture had special challenges, but Bathroom Before ing the dedication of the room. the outcome is spectacular. The Seating in the room is provided bathroom is now truly beautiful, by a wing chair with typical ball- gracefully luxurious and wonder- and-claw feet of the time and a fully functional. It is a sensational simple damask two-seat sofa at transformation. the foot of the bed. The luxurious It was also President Drucker’s fabrics and down-filled cushions idea to hang a picture of Presi- create a sense of comfort and dent J. Michael Adams in his ac- beauty. ademic regalia over the fireplace. The desk and armoire were orig- President Adams loved the for- inal to the room but were refreshed mal ceremonies of academia and and enhanced. The armoire now the traditional observances, and holds a television, refrigerator and DONORS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO JOURNEYED TO WROXTON he believed that education is the COLLEGE TO CELEBRATE THE DEDICATION OF THE ADAMS coffee-and-tea service. (continued on page 6) PRESIDENTIAL SUITE Friends of Florham | 3 THE LIFE OF THE HOUSE: HOW ROOMS EVOLVE By Henrietta Spencer-Churchill historical relevance — that is, houses, or even, more practically, Rizzoli New York, 2012 Blenheim Palace, in England, to back halls or cloakrooms of Striking architecture, classic and Marble House in Newport, country houses. And, as lifestyles interior design, elegant photog- R.I., where Consuelo Vanderbilt changed, dining rooms, once a raphy and a strong sense of his- spent many formative years. The major symbol of wealth or status, tory combine in Lady Henrietta overall “story” is prefaced by a evolved into more relaxed open- Spencer-Churchill’s 11th book, section on architecture, and in- plan rooms, as did living rooms The Life of the House: How Rooms cludes memorable photographs and drawing rooms. Evolve. Her objectives are de- of various periods of architecture The evolution of the kitchen, as ceptively simple: “My hope is that such as medieval, classical ba- discussed by Spencer-Churchill, through this book roque (Blenheim), 18th-century is particularly interesting, and rep- you will see how it is terrace homes in London, Victo- resents major shifts in the social possible for houses rian, moving forward to the works paradigm: from medieval kitchens and rooms to evolve of Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd located off the main hall, to below- in a practical way Wright. stairs kitchens manned by a large through the centu- The evolution of rooms in prac- staff of servants, to more contem- ries, yet retain the tical ways, and in response to porary open kitchens where fami- character of the par- shifting lifestyles, illustrated by lies might congregate. Ultimately, ticular era in which notable period photographs, in- some kitchens have been built to they were built, re- cluding striking contemporary respond to a culture where the art vealing even more works and explanatory texts by of cooking itself is preeminent — il- of the life and life- Spencer-Churchill comprise the lustrated here by a wonderful pho- styles of those who major sections of the book. Liv- tograph of Julia Child’s kitchen. lived in them,” she ing rooms, libraries, dining rooms, says in the introduc- Finally, an introductory epi- kitchens, bedrooms and what tion to her study. graph from Winston Churchill, Spencer-Churchill refers to rath- who was born at Blenheim, A well-known inte- er provocatively as “Indulgent serves two purposes: it sets the rior designer, Spencer-Churchill Rooms” —ballrooms, swimming stage for The Life of the House heads her own firm, Woodstock pools, billiard rooms, chapels — and ultimately reflects back on Designs, and recently launched and the occasional theater — are the evolution and social history of a furniture line. The eldest daugh- all placed in practical and his- the houses explored in this fas- ter of the Duke of Marlborough, torical context. Grand hallways cinating study: “…We shape our whose family seat is Blenheim such as the central Great Hall buildings: thereafter they shape Palace, Spencer-Churchill is also at the Breakers in Newport, for us.” the great-granddaughter of Con- example, gave way historically suelo Vanderbilt, whose forced to smaller hallways in Victorian — Carol Bere marriage (and later divorce) to the Duke of Devonshire was leg- endary. Of immediate interest, Consuelo was also the niece of In Memoriam Florence Vanderbilt Twombly of A sad day for Friends of Florham came on February Florham. 14, 2013, with the death of William Dana, the husband for 62 years of long-time Friends of Florham Board President Organizing what initially ap- Emma Joy Dana. Bill was a very successful investment pears to be a rather amorphous banker and father of four sons. Although he much pre- thematic structure has been ferred other activities, such as fly-fishing and land con- handled effectively by Spencer- servation, he patiently escorted Emma Joy to the many Churchill: first, she focused, for Friends of Florham Galas. His quiet elegance at these af- the most part, on English homes fairs will be missed. The Friends of Florham extend their and some American equiva- heartfelt sympathy to Emma Joy and the Dana family. lents, and included some fam- ily houses that have personal 4 | Friends of Florham MONEY, BEAUTY AND POWER, THE TRANSFORMATION OF TASTE IN THE GILDED AGE On March 17, with Hamilton senior curator and curator of dec- jects that reflected the gran- Twombly’s paneled billiard room orative arts at the museum, Mr. deur of earlier times. as a backdrop, now Acting Direc- Dietz was responsible for the Attending the lecture was Jean tor of the Newark Museum Ulys- outstanding gilded-age collec- Burden, wife of Mrs. Twombly’s ses Grant Dietz explained what tion in Newark’s Ballantine Mu- grandson, Ordway Burden. As al- drove the choices of American seum and is eminently qualified ways, Friends of Florham was very domestic architecture and inte- to speak on the subject. His happy to welcome any Twombly rior design in the years following great-great-grandfather was Ulys- and Vanderbilt family member the Civil War. For many years as ses Grant, whose influence and back to Florham. We look forward taste contributed to the White to their continued return. House interiors and exte- rior during his presidency. The audience learned how the American home evolved from “villa” to a mansion, and how the newly rich, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Morgans, among others, influenced the concept of taste. Man- sions stocked with an- tiques or reproductions be- came the new “rage” as the freshly minted Amer- ican millionaires sought JEAN BURDEN IN LENFELL HALL, to distinguish themselves GREETING ULYSSES GRANT DIETZ (LEFT) HENNESSY HALL, BY A PORTRAIT OF ARE FRIENDS OF FLORHAM BOARD MEMBER THE BURDEN BROTHERS SHIRLEY from the rising middle CAROL BERE AND FDU FACULTY MEMBER (LEFT) AND WILLIAM class by purchasing ob- WALTER CUMMINS. COLLEGE AT FLORHAM UNDERTAKES RESTORATION OF PERGOLA Hurricane Sandy left her mark donations from the Italian com- Florham is most grateful to the in many places on the College at munity in Madison, N.J., and University for restoring the per- Florham. One of her major blows help and advice from many oth- gola and look forward to the re- was to the pergola located at the ers, the garden was restored growth of the wisteria. end of what is known as the Ital- and enjoyed both by stu- ian Garden. Because of the dam- dents and visitors. age caused by the storm, the Recognizing the Friends brick structure could no longer of Florham’s initial con- sustain the heavy wisteria vines it tribution, the University supported. generously financed and Restoration of the Italian Gar- managed this second den was one of the Friends of restoration of the pergola. Florham’s earliest projects. When The new structure, rein- the Friends initiated that restora- forced by steel, is likely tion, years of neglect had caused to withstand many more the symmetrical hardscape to hurricanes and tolerate crumble, and the greenery was the weight of new wiste- overgrown or nonexistent. With ria growth. The Friends of Friends of Florham | 5 BOARD Welcomes TWO NEW TRUSTEES Valerie Adams and Ann Pet- In 2003, Valerie received the School in Newark and the New rocelli have been named to the Pillar of Fairleigh Dickinson Uni- Jersey Youth Chorus. She is a Friends of Florham Board of versity Award. Pillar Awards are former member of the Educa- Trustees. given annually to rec- tional Council of St. Valerie Adams joined Fairleigh ognize exceptional Joseph’s School in Dickinson University in 1991. individuals within the Mendham. University, who, over She currently serves as director Ann helped to de- time, have made ex- of career development at FDU’s velop and taught traordinary contribu- College at Florham. Prior to be- in the English as a tions to the character ginning her career at the Universi- Second Language and quality of the in- ty, she worked in many industries program at Franklin stitution, its commu- including banking, technology, High School in New air products and chemicals. A tal- nity and culture. Ann Petrocelli Jersey. She was also ented entrepreneur, Valerie also Valerie is married a general science owned and operated Yours Truly, to Gregory T. Adams, and they teacher in that school system. a successful gift boutique. reside in Chatham Township, In the New York City school sys- Valerie served as president N.J. Valerie and Greg have two tem, Ann taught at the elemen- of FDU’s Professional children, Gregory tary level for nine years, going on Administrative Sen- and Kimberly, and to teach science and Italian at the ate for six years and as five grandchildren. intermediate level for six years. a member of various Ann Petrocelli is In addition, Ann trained student other University com- an educator with teachers and teacher aides and mittees. She served more than 30 years participated in the authorship of as chairman of both of experience. She the Language Arts Handbook for the Affirmative Action served on the North the Curriculum Planning Office. and Diversity Com- Brunswick Board of Valerie Adams A graduate of Hunter College, mittees. Valerie is a Education for nine she holds a bachelor’s degree in member of the National Associ- years; two of those years as biology and a master’s degree in ation of Colleges and Employers president and three as vice presi- education. Ann resides in Mend- and the Association of Indepen- dent. Ann serves on the Boards ham, N.J., with her grandchild, dent Colleges and Universities of of Trustees of Fairleigh Dickinson Gabrielle. New Jersey. University, the Link Community

Presidential Suite (continued from page 3) pathway to peace and that edu- The Friends do want to thank actual construction processes; cation should be global. Nowhere everyone who assisted with and especially President Shelley is his dream of preparing world the project — the many donors Drucker, whose support created a citizens through global education who contributed to the project, better outcome. And, our deepest more apparent than at his be- Suzy Moran and her assistant, appreciation to Dr. Nicholas D.J. loved Wroxton Abbey. Laura Cochran, who had over- Baldwin who not only supervised all design control; Lady Henri- The renovation of Wroxton and supported the project, but etta Spencer Churchill and her hosted the dedication weekend Abbey’s Room #2 into the J. Mi- assistant, Bridgette Jones, who with grace and warmth. chael Adams Presidential Suite assumed most of the on-site de- was a divergence from the nor- sign deliverables; Colleen Coppla This wasn’t just a renovation; mal Friends of Florham projects; and Karin Hamilton, who coordi- it was a transformation. It was a it was done with monies raised nated things between the United beautiful and fitting tribute to the specifically for that project and States and the United Kingdom man who worked to transform has not distracted from the ongo- for Fairleigh Dickinson; Dean FDU. Thank you to everyone who ing focus on the mansion. Baldwin’s staff who oversaw the made it possible. 6 | Friends of Florham SAM WHITE RETURNS TO FLORHAM The Friends are delighted to will talk in more depth about the emician of the National Acad- welcome back Samuel G. White, famed architect, an individualist emy of Design, an adjunct assis- architect, one of our more popu- with an outsized personality, and tant professor of Fine Arts at New lar and knowledgeable speak- of his particular “genius” or abil- York University and a trustee and ers, who will speak on Sunday, ity to capitalize on the period of adviser to several educational November 10, about his book, enormous growth in the U.S. — and arts organizations. Stanford White, Architect (2008), essentially to translate the dreams The Friends look forward to written also with Elizabeth White. and aspirations of the newly rich, seeing you on Sunday, November This will be Samuel White’s fifth as well as the vital claims of uni- 10, 3 p.m., in Lenfell Hall, Hen- visit to Florham: he versities, museums and nessy Hall, College at Florham. participated initially stewards of public build- Admission is $15 at the door, and in a panel on “The ings. More specifically, refreshments will be served. Mr. Custom of the Coun- White was a partner in White will also sign copies of his try House,” in 1994. the leading architec- book, Stanford White, Architect. White’s own architec- tural firm of the period, tural work was exhib- McKim, Mead & White, ited in the Library in which had more than 1998, accompanied Samuel G. White 1,000 commissions for by his talk on the public and private build- domestic architecture of McKim, ings — among them Harvard and Mead & White, as highlighted in Columbia Universities, Pennsyl- his book, The Houses of McKim, vania Station, the World’s Colum- Mead & White. In 2002, White bian Exposition in Chicago, and, presented a talk, “McKim, Mead of course, “Florham,” the former & White: the Reinvention of the Hamilton Twombly Estate, now Classical Ideal,” and in 2004, he the College at Florham. offered a slide lecture, “Stanford Samuel White is a partner of Platt White, Venice and New York.” Byard Dovell White, LLC, New Nine years later, White, the York, a Fellow of the American great-grandson of Stanford White, Institute of Architects, an Acad- Editor’s Note The Board of the Friends of Flor- I’m so proud of all that you’ve I thank you all for the support ham is defined by its mission, its accomplished during the last and consideration you’ve shown renovations and restorations, its 14 years — the courtyard lights, me this last year. I know the fu- special events and, most of all, by the renovations of the Sarah Sul- ture holds many opportunities its talented and dedicated mem- livan and Hartman Lounges, for you, and I hope you contin- bership. Michael and I always the President’s Office, the Pro- ue to be the “best of friends” to knew that we were only at Fair- vost’s Office and the lectures each other and to the College at leigh Dickinson for a time, and that and the galas that fund your Florham. time is now over for me as well. activities. — Susan Adams

Upcoming EventS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, FRIENDS OF FLORHAM GALA Honoring Fairleigh Dickinson University President Sheldon Drucker Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall, 6:30–11 p.m. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, LECTURE Samuel G. White, FAIA, Partner Platt Byard Dovell White, LLP Author of Stanford White, Architect Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall, 3–5 p.m., includes reception and book signing. Friends of Florham | 7 Friends of Florham The Library 285 Madison Avenue Madison, New Jersey 07940

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Telephone______Please check desired category: Your gift is tax-deductible q $25 — Friend q $50 — Special Friend q $100 — Contributor q $200 — Supporter q $500 — Patron q $1,000 — Sponsor Please mail your check to: Friends of Florham, The Library Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham 285 Madison Avenue Madison, N.J. 07940