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.