Friends of

THEF TIFFANY lorham TABLE Spring 2015 Board of Trustees Mark your calendars! Save the date! Friends of Christine Adrignolo On Thursday, May 21, 2015, Kathleen Atencio at 11:30 a.m. plan to join us for Carol Bere “The Tiffany Table, A Luncheon Linda Carrington at Florham” in Lenfell Hall, Hen- Samuel M. Convissor Dawn Dupak nessy Hall. Elaine Earlywine The Friends of Florham have Beth Hennessy partnered with one of the most Jennifer Johnson Carol C. Knauff notable jewelers to the Gilded Danielle Lindner Age and today’s best dressed Linda Meister to celebrate history, great de- Suzy Moran sign and classic good taste. Antoinette C. Petrocelli Maryalice Raushi The Friends are simply thrilled Ann Wellbrock to host Michael Plante, who will speak on the long-time associa- Honorary Trustees tion between Tiffany & Co. and Susan Adams the Vanderbilts. Phyllis Conway Gabriella D’Amico Additionally, the afternoon (Seated from left) Regina Kelly, Valerie Adams, Jennifer Johnson Emma Joy Dana will include a collection of silent- and Christine Adrignolo; (standing from left) Ann Wellbrock, Kim Dougherty auction items, a live auction and Danielle Lindner and Dawn Dupak Sandi Drucker Ruth Hennessy the presentation of the tradi- Danielle Lindner and her com- Dupak and Regina Kelly are Audrey Parker tional Tiffany blue boxes with mittee composed of Valerie Ad- thrilled to bring a new, exciting Troy Simmons special surprises and incredible ams, Christine Adrignolo, Jenn example of historical insight into Arthur T. , II favors. Johnson, Ann Wellbrock, Dawn the Vanderbilt-Twombly lifestyle

with this luncheon. Their goal University Liaisons is an elegant, stimulating after- Valerie Adams The Tiffany Table, noon with great food, interest- Carol Black ing insights and good friends. Gary Darden Matthew Dikovics A Luncheon at Florham Please plan to join us for what Sheldon Drucker Thursday, May 21, 2015, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. promises to be a wonderful event. Eleanor Friedl All proceeds from the luncheon Regina Kelly Florham Campus, Fairleigh Dickinson University Brian Mauro will support the ongoing restora- Ticket price is $150 Peter Woolley tions and redecoration of Flor- For Sponsorship Opportunities ham. For details go to our website from $1,000 to $5,000 at fdu.edu/fof or contact Regina contact Regina Kelly at (201) 692-7008 Kelly, director of gifts, Uni- or [email protected] versity Advancement, and Friends of Florham treasurer, at 201-692- 7008 or [email protected]. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Friends, we applaud your commitment to the Beaux Arts Treasures of the I am honored to assume the our mission to preserve the his- Newark Museum. presidency of Friends of Florham, torical legacy of the mansion and Spring will conclude with a new a position so ably filled for the its grounds. event for us in lieu of our tradi- past six years by Linda Meister. I Our most recently completed tional Fall Gala. We look forward inherit a board of dedicated and project is the hanging of addi- to you joining us on Thursday, talented people, who all contrib- tional Burden photographs in the May 21, for a luncheon, co-spon- ute significantly to the success of second floor lounge and halls sored by the Friends of Florham and one of the world’s most- this organization and I am look- (see left). We invite you to visit renowned jewelers. Mark your ing forward to working with Jenn Hennessy Hall and view these calendars and save the date for Johnson, the incoming EVP, as wonderful photographs. You’ll be “The Tiffany Table, A Luncheon we continue the stewardship of glad you did. at Florham.” Florham. We are also in the process of With sadness I note the pass- It is with regret that we say fare- acquiring, printing, framing and ing of Patty Savage on Thursday, well to our colleague Denise Brid- hanging more images for Lenfell January 15. Patty was the widow gens Collins as she resigns from Hall and the Great Hall. They are of our beloved former Board mem- the Friends. Denise was instru- giclée reproductions of several ber, Walter Savage, and a dear mental in creating our website important family portraits and friend of the “Friends.” Plans are and assisted with the digital ac- also, hopefully, a portrait of Fred- being made for a memorial ser- cess to our newsletters. Denise rick Law Olmsted, the landscape vice in the spring on the Florham and her husband, Paul, moved to architect of Florham, and Stan- Campus. Once finalized these Delaware, and we wish them well. ford White of McKim, Mead and plans will be posted on our web- And welcome aboard to our White, the architects. site. newest board member Maryalice Please join us on Sunday, In closing, I must again thank Raushi. Please read more about March 15, at 3 p.m., for our spring the many members of the Friends Maryalice on page 3. lecture. We will be once again of Florham who help with re- search, fundraising, membership, Your response to our annual welcoming a favorite speaker, projects and public relations. I appeal campaign in December Ulysses Dietz, chief curator and look forward to serving you as 2014 was heartwarming. Welcome curator of decorative arts of the your president. New Burden photo- to our new members and thank Newark Museum. He will be en- graphs in Hennessy — Dawn Dupak Hall you to all our generous donors — lightening and entertaining us on FLORHAM FURNISHINGS AT WHITE HOUSE The June 1955 auction at Flor- Representatives from the White office. In early September, we re- ham of the estate of Ruth Van- House visited Florham, and se- ceived wonderful news. Mystery derbilt Twombly, the daughter of lected more than 50 items — solved. Florence and Hamilton Twombly, paintings, chairs, tables and More specifically, the assistant was extremely well attended and other objects — and arranged for curator of the White House in- received extensive media cov- their transport to . formed us that, “the vast majority erage. What the press did not of the items taken remain in our Then, for many years, the know at the time, however, was collection.” Of special interest to trail of the Florham donations that a few months earlier, William the Friends is the Burden gift of went cold. A Board member of Burden, grandson of Florence a Georgian mahogany open arm- and Hamilton Twombly, and his the Friends, who was interested chair, which is often featured in brother, Shirley C. Burden, had in the mystery, learned that his photographs taken in the Oval offered to donate items from the daughter had a professional con- Office. During the administration Twombly estate at Florham for tact who could put us in touch of George W. Bush, White House potential use in the White House. with the appropriate White House (continued on page 3) 2 | Friends of Florham INTRODUCING OUR NEW PRESIDENT The Friends are in other areas of community nity and her ability to work with pleased to an- service. diverse memberships as a leader nounce their se- Dawn’s record of com- and mentor. lection of Dawn munity service extends from Personally, Dawn graduated Dupak as the per- her early years as president from the University of British Co- son who will lead of various PTOs in Chatham lumbia, Canada, with a degree the group for the Schools; serving as president in fine arts and has worked as next 18 months. of the Stanley Congregational an interior designer and a ward- Dawn’s combina- Church; various levels of ser- robe stylist. She married Peter tion of leadership experience, vice in the Junior League of Mor- Dupak in 1974. They have two creativity and design knowledge, ristown, including president in daughters, Erin and Kim, who are and organizational skills are the 1992–1993; and serving the Arts both married and now reside in perfect fit for a group as diverse Council of the Morris Area (now as the Friends of Florham. Dawn New Hampshire, near Peter and has co-chaired the gala since Morris Arts) in a number of roles, Dawn’s lake house. Dawn is de- 1999 and joined the board in including co-chair of their annual lighted to be a grandmother and 2003. Her history of involvement fundraising event — April Arts. This enjoys downhill skiing, bridge, and participation in Friends’ ac- impressive record demonstrates gourmet cooking, travel, jewelry tivities complements her record her commitment to the commu- design and other domestic arts. WELCOME MARYALICE RAUSHI Please join the board in wel- turned down by banks. Mary- speaker for an FDU Club event coming Maryalice Raushi, who alice’s 25-year banking career in- in 2009, hosting an alumni re- graduated from the Florham cludes serving as chairman and ception for FDU in 2010 and Campus with a BA in political sci- CEO of Platinum Bank & working with the Wroxton ence. She also attended Wroxton Trust for four years while Advisory Committee as College as an undergraduate and the bank was in its organ- chair of their fundrais- received her MBA from Fairleigh izational stage. She is ing efforts. She is also a Dickinson in 1990. also past president and member of FDU’s Presi- dential Advisory Board, Maryalice is the immediate for- CEO of the Parsippany- where her financial acu- mer executive vice president and based trust division of men is appreciated. sales associate at the commercial $26-billion Life brokerage firm Newmark Associ- Insurance Co., as well as past se- Maryalice and her husband, ates, Inc. She joined Newmark nior vice president and regional John, have a son, and they reside in August 2014, following two manager of PNC Bank. in nearby Bedminster, N.J. She years as president of Business A loyal alumna, Maryalice’s is known for her interests in golf, Funding, LLC, a firm that finds volunteer efforts at Fairleigh Dick- horseback riding, reading and money for businesses previously inson include being the guest volunteer work.

WHITE HOUSE (continued) The next time that you watch continues to be evident. Accord- Designer Ken Blasingame chose the news or see a photograph ing to the White House curator, to have two reproductions made of the president with a guest “Many of the Burden donations of the Burden armchair, so that a in his Oval Office, note that ei- have been used frequently since pair could be used in front of the ther the president or his guest is their acquisition, especially in the fireplace in the Oval Office, and seated in the original, although private quarters of the house. A a third rotated in if necessary. reupholstered armchair, while the number of the furniture items re- More specifically, the chairs were accompanying reproductions con- main in use today in the family upholstered in blue and gold for tinue to suggest the history of the rooms.” armchairs, which began in the President Bush, and later in cara- — Carol Bere and mansion at Florham. The “influ- mel-colored leather for President Sam Convissor Obama. ence” of the Burden gift, in fact, Friends of Florham | 3 LUNCHEON HONORS RETIRING PRESIDENT LINDA MEISTER A luncheon honoring retir- ter’s time, care and leadership ing Friends President Linda and continued interest in the Meister was hosted by Flor- restoration and maintenance ham Campus Provost Peter of Florham with a handwrit- Woolley after the January 5 ten note. He went on to thank meeting of the Friends of Flor- her for “being our conscience ham in Sarah Sullivan Lounge reminding us of this great in- and Hartman Lounge, Hennes- heritance and prodding us sy Hall. Incoming President to respect it and to pass it on Dawn Dupak presented Mrs. for new generations to enjoy.” Meister with a resolution cele- He also indicated to the board (from left) Incoming President Dawn Du- how positively the community brating the accomplishments pak, Retiring President Linda Meister and of the Friends under her lead- Florham Campus Provost Peter Woolley responded to the Fall Gala and ership. the dedication of the Governor bly linens; the redecoration of the Richard J. Codey Classroom. The resolution noted she had: offices of both the president and “… worked tirelessly to ensure the The board welcomed back the provost at Florham; the reno- development, progress and com- honorary board member and vation of Room 2 at Wroxton Col- pletion of the Friends’ major pres- former board member Audrey lege into the J. Michael Adams ervation projects at Florham, which Parker to the luncheon as they Presidential Suite; and in 2014, include — among several vital res- reminisced about previous meet- the transformation of former class- toration enterprises — the renova- ings and shared memories of room M2 in Hennessy Hall into the tion of both the Sarah Sullivan and past galas and lectures. It was Governor Richard J. Codey Class- Hartman Lounges; the redecora- fitting that we took a moment room …” tion of the Main Hall including the to look back on our history as a installation of a breakfront with the Dr. Woolley expressed his per- board even as we look forward to Wendy Burden donation of Twom- sonal appreciation for Mrs. Meis- the next chapter. DIETZ SPEAKS ABOUT WHITE HOUSE On November 8, Ulysses Grant Some first ladies selected fur- Dietz, the Newark Museum’s chief niture from fashionable depart- curator and curator of decorative ment stores. Others hired great arts and a great, great grandson interior designers, among them, of Ulysses Grant, spoke on his Herter Brothers, Louis Tiffany and book, Dream House: The White McKim, Mead and White, to cre- House as an American Home. ate a comfortable home for the Mr. Dietz’s talk, replete with tid- presidential family. Jackie Ken- bits about the many families that nedy, perhaps the best known, Ulysses Grant Dietz with Hon- occupied our country’s most im- orary Trustee Phyllis Conway was influential in rescuing pieces portant residence, was accom- of historic value and displaying panied by slides selected from a and a middleclass home with a them properly, not only creat- vast archive. balcony barbecue under Dwight ing a beautiful interior, but giving Mr. Dietz took the audience from Eisenhower. impetus to a national preserva- the modest 18th-century coun- Of greatest interest were those tion movement, something from try estate inhabited by Thomas furnishings that survived many which Florham benefits today. Jefferson, to Andrew Jackson’s presidential generations and Mr. Dietz is always in demand “genteel” 19th-century villa, to those furnishings abandoned to by our audience, and we look interiors resembling a hunting the attic or elsewhere as soon as forward to his next lecture on lodge under Theodore Roosevelt a president’s term ended. March 15. 4 | Friends of Florham W.H. VANDERBILT’S ART COLLECTION William H. Vanderbilt, Florence rate entrance on West 51st street paintings (and decorative ob- V. Twombly’s father, began collect- — at the appointed times on jects) from Vanderbilt’s collection ing art around 1878, and by the Thursdays. Vanderbilt took great can be found in museums in the time of his sudden death in 1885, pleasure in his collection and United States, Europe, Canada had amassed a major private col- was often present during gallery and Japan, while George Vander- lection, which included more than hours, conversing with visitors bilt’s home, Biltmore, also holds 200 paintings by prominent con- about his art, and dispensing some of the works. temporary European artists. Van- small catalogues. By 1884, how- Critics have suggested that derbilt’s move from his home on ever, after visitors began taking because Vanderbilt’s collection and 40th Street, to parts of the tapestries, and had had been so widely dispersed, his newly constructed, lavishly ap- moved into private family areas, that the importance of his hold- pointed mansion at 640 Fifth Av- Vanderbilt was forced to close ings and his influence may not enue and 51st Street — the early the gallery to visitors other than to have been recognized. Yet Van- stages of what has been referred family and friends. derbilt’s collection had been to as Vanderbilt Row — was prob- The fate of Vanderbilt’s col- catalogued: in a somewhat rare ably related to his need to house lection shifted with his death in move for a collector, Vanderbilt his growing art collection, as well 1885. William Vanderbilt’s will himself had published several as the ’s desire, in contained a sizable monetary small catalogues of his collec- general, to develop this section of gift to the Metropolitan Museum, tion. Moreover, with text by well- Fifth Avenue, and confirm its so- and there is also some evidence known art critic, Edward Strahan, cial presence. that he planned to build a mu- Vanderbilt published an impres- Briefly, in 1878, WH Vanderbilt seum across the avenue from sive, four-volume work, Mr. Van- commissioned what came to be his home, but his general intent derbilt’s House and Collection known as the Triple Palace, three was that his collection would re- (1883–1884). Editions of this work Images of William interconnected mansions, which main private. More specifically, can be found today in libraries H. Vanderbilt’s Art and for sale online. Others sug- Collection at his 640 included his home on 640 Fifth Vanderbilt willed the house to his Fifth Avenue Mansion Avenue, with its impressive pri- wife, and after her death in 1896, gest that interests of collectors vate two-story art gallery, and the to his youngest son, George. The had changed, and that Vander- homes at 642 Fifth Avenue, and public did have some opportunity bilt’s collection was no longer 2 West 52nd Street for his daugh- to view a number of Vanderbilt’s “current.” What does seem ap- ters, Margaret Fitch and Em- works, however, primarily because parent, however, is that Vander- ily Sloane, respectively.* In 1881, George loaned 135 works to the bilt influenced future collectors, Vanderbilt’s home was ready for Metropolitan Museum for a year particularly, the younger Henry occupancy, and his desire, unusu- in 1902, and ultimately extended Clay Frick. In the mid-1880s, for al among art collectors, was to of- the loan until 1919. example, Frick had purchased the four-volume compilation, Mr. fer area residents the opportunity Following George Vanderbilt’s to view his collection in the gallery. Vanderbilt’s House and Collec- relatively early death in 1914 , and in the early stages of Vanderbilt’s collection, among oth- tion (without a male heir), and accord- his collecting, purchased works er works, essentially comprised ing to the terms of William Van- by many of the same artists that historical, landscape, and literary derbilt’s will, George’s nephew, Vanderbilt collected. genre paintings, and showcased III, and his By the terms of his father’s paintings such as Francois Millet’s wife, Grace, inherited the house will, George could not sell 640 The Sower, and J.M. Turner’s The and collection. They, or at least, Fifth Avenue, and in 1904, Frick Fountain of Indolence, as well as Grace, were more interested in agreed to rent the mansion for major works by John Everett Mil- competing socially than in the art 10 years, at $50,000 a year, lais, Delacroix, De Neuville, Corot, collection, and made extensive which included many pictures and a portrait of Vanderbilt by Er- renovations to the mansion to (1) in Vanderbilt’s collection, and ulti- nest Meissonier. showcase their lavish entertain- mately some works from his own Following a reception for about ments. Ultimately, in 1940, Grace Photos courtesy of Carnegie collection. Frick wanted to be Mellon University Libraries, 2,500 people in 1883, large num- sold the art collection at auc- Posner Memorial Collection surrounded by more of Vander- bers of people began to visit the tion for the relatively low figure of bilt’s art works, however — and, Vanderbilt gallery — via its sepa- $325,195.(2) Today, many of the (continued on page 6) Friends of Florham | 5 Friends of Florham The Library 285 Madison Avenue Madison, New Jersey 07940 Visit the Friends of Florham online at fdu.edu/fof and at Facebook.com/fdufriendsofflorham

VANDERBILT (continued from page 5) of particular interest — in 1905, he told Hamilton Mc- Become a Friend Kown Twombly, George Vanderbilt’s brother-in-law, that Join the Friends of Florham. Participate directly he would like to have some of the paintings, which in our efforts to preserve the architectural history were on loan at the Metropolitan Museum, returned to of Florham, and support our informative program 640 Fifth Avenue. Twombly wrote to Vanderbilt, who series. Your support will make a difference. wrote directly to Frick in response to the request: “This I would not be willing to do. It is a pleasure to me to feel Name______that my father’s collection is on view to the public at Address______all times, and performing its ‘educative function.’”(3) By 1913, Frick had begun building his mansion and gallery City______at 1 East 70th Street, which would ultimately become the State______renowned Frick Collection. Zip______Vanderbilt’s Triple Palace was torn down in 1947 and replaced by commercial buildings, and as family mem- Telephone______bers had begun to migrate uptown much earlier, and Please check desired category: skyscrapers replaced their homes, a significant period Your gift is tax-deductible in Vanderbilt family history ended. — Carol Bere q $25 — Friend q $50 — Special Friend *Florence and Hamilton Twombly lived at 684 Fifth Avenue; in 1926, the then-widowed Florence sold her home, and in q $100 — Contributor q $200 — Supporter 1926, commissioned another home at 1 East 71st Street. (1)For an excellent and comprehensive assessment of WH q $500 — Patron q $1,000 — Sponsor Vanderbilt’s art collection, see “Art for the Public: ’s Cultural Legacy,” by Leanne Zalewski: Please mail your check to: http://www.19thc-artworldwide.org/index.php/summer12/ leanne-zalewski-william-henry-vanderbilts-cultural-legacy. Friends of Florham, The Library (2)For information on Frick and the William H. Vanderbilt art Fairleigh Dickinson University collection, see “Aspiration and Obsession: Henry Clay Frick Florham Campus and the W.H. Vanderbilt House and Collection — https:// 285 Madison Avenue aliasmissmellie.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/aspiration-and- obsession-by-melanie-linn-gutowski.pdf. Madison, N.J. 07940 (3)Gutowski, p. 30.