In this article of the Trials of Doris, I’ll be exploring the updates from the latest DORIS meeting and publishing some interesting tidbits of the Duke’s legacy. Most interestingly, is that the DCC (Duke Community Collaborative) is now taking the public’s preliminary ideas for what they would like to do for the estate.
On August 19th, DORIS held its second meeting, which was, summarily, a marvelous success. Several key players attended this meeting and the total number of attendees in a single week doubled. The outcry, which continues to happily root itself in all sorts of newspapers and online journals, has caught the attention of nearly 3,000 people as of this evening, according to Change.org. From the last meeting, The Retro Revival gathered that several large informative projects are being constructed and researched. All members are diligent at work in all aspects of the preparation for the September hearing. In time, they plan on releasing more details of their ‘homework’. The DCC will be hosting a Picnic with The Dukes on the weekend of September 19th. Bring your picnic blankets, favorite lunch, interest, and meet at the meadows of the Mermaid Pool, a favorite location of Doris herself! Let’s have an afternoon in her likeness. We’re looking for which day works for you! Answer our poll, and we’ll pick the day that wins!
Another fascinating topic is what tidbits we find from the world wide web on Doris’ life. First, here are some of Doris’ Home Videos. Also available is the grim reminder of why the Manor is so essential to preserve. The Garden of Nations’ fate was not a merciful one. Here, a visitor documents the Garden of Nations, and another documents The ruins that remain. Its current state is what DORIS and the DCC fear will become of Doris’ beloved home. The initiatives here firmly believe there are ways to marry the environmental and historic-centered mission statements with the uses of these structures and other areas of interest on the grounds. Another small tidbit that the group adds is that “Hillsborough was Doris’ home. It was here that she wasn’t some celebrity as much as she was able to be a resident”. In the Home Videos segment, we can see Doris featured on New Jersey participating in caring for her flora and fauna alike; which she reportedly loved to do. Unlike other locations, the farms were her escape to her caliber of home life- and she expressed her love outwardly for her land!
As for the final topic of this installment, the Collaborative is, and will always be enlisting the ideas of the people to create a Duke Farms that we’re all proud to be a part of. What we look for now in the anticipation of this next hearing (September 24th), is the feedback of the people! What kinds of volunteers would be willing to donate their time and efforts? What possible programs would you want to participate in or create? What are your favorite aspects of the property? We want to hear from you! Anything you may have to contribute, we heartily encourage you to comment below or on our Facebook page, Retro Revival on Facebook! Thank you to our friends from DORIS and the Change.org page for the continuous support.
Retro Curious Rebellious: The Revival 