Author: HarpieLyn

Certainly, it is fact that the DORIS group has made international headlines on several occasions since July of last year when their fight to save Duke Mansion began. From seeking the aid of the Monet house to the friends and colleague’s support in Hawaii and the other great States, the DORIS group may not have succeeded in their initial mission to save the historic house but they sure have accomplished more.

The house is rubble. The estate qualifies as a national historic landmark for recognition across the USA. There are so many more facets of wrongdoing or lackluster conduct that pervade this Gilded Age, 2,700-acre, lavish, and gorgeous estate. The DORIS group will be continuing their efforts to seek transparency and #JusticeForDoris.

Recently, The RetroRevival Blog received a beautifully written letter from a student in the Carolinas, the land of JB Duke’s roots. We wanted to take the opportunity to share his message with you. It is important to remember that this fight is not limited in its demographic, and that the generations to follow will feel the destructive aftermath of every decision that those in charge are allowed to make.

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation,

In the world we live in today it’s hard to see the beauty in things. Through a stroll through the Duke Estate would bring you back to a time of opulence, elegance, and industrial power like no other. Now while these times are long gone and have now been taken over by banking and software tycoons, there is still history to be shared and seen of this now-forgotten decade. Parallels of the conservation of this amazing history can be seen at places like the Biltmore and Newport. These places only bring dreams of grandeur like nowhere else can. We imagine ourselves as dignitaries strolling these homes and attending their grandest parties. The imagination, excitement, and awe this creates in people ages 5 to 95 is unparalleled. This history creates something among generations like nothing else can: they fuel imagination and wonder. When properly conserved and displayed these landmarks become hot spots for tourism and learning. The towns and cities where these illustrious manors lie are lucky to have such a critical piece of history in their bounds. This of course brings me back to the Duke estates in Hillsborough New Jersey. A prime example, I would even say it’s one of the grandest. While the full grandeur of the estate was  never realized to due several reasons within the Duke family and business, a quick stroll around one can imagine what it would have been like if fully completed. From the old foundation to the grand lakes, bridges, fountains, and gardens oh how grand it could have been, that to the likes of the Biltmore.

What many don’t know and fail to realize is that there was a grand homeon the estate, one tucked away; hidden from the eye of the public for many years, and allowed to fall into disrepair. Why hide such a wealth of history and knowledge from the public. Why not display the litany of antiques and artifacts collected by Doris Duke and her father? That is a question I cannot even begin to rationalize an answer for.

Entrusted with millions of dollars to provide a learning experience to better the world, the people willed this money failed miserable to fulfill a dying heiress wishes. Instead they sold all of her possessions and allowed her beloved home to fall into disrepair, or so they claim it to have become. The few that were able to tour this home shortly after Doris’ death have nothing but great things to say about it.

Again fueling imagination and wonder of the family and its great past. It has been nothing short of a failure by the Duke Farms organization; the town of Hillsborough, and state of New Jersey to let such an interesting piece of history get erased forever. How can one argue this place was not able to be a registered landmark? It was amazing! What is even more surprising is the lack of respect for a family and person who left nearly all she had in the hands of an organization she hoped to only better her family’s name. Arrogance, greed, and utter disrespect have demolished on of the greatest attractions that never was. For this, we should not only apologize to Doris herself but to the world as everyone has been robbed of a golden opportunity at an amazing look into the past and one of the most known families of this time.

Strange how such a darling parcel of the world can cause such a stir in our modern world. During the Retro Revival’s field trip to the Duke Estate this past weekend, we couldn’t help but document two rather ‘big deal’ questions:

1. Why does Duke Farms take pride in their famous Phalaenopsis Doris, yet display none of the three they allege to have?
2. If one of the arguments from the trials of the mansion from the Duke Foundation was that a structure has to “convey the work of a master” architect to be significant, why is the Horace Trumbauer Greenhouse suffering wood rot, extensive damage, and obvious neglect?

So let’s start with part 1. The phalaenopsis Doris, as described by its very caretakers from decades past, is an all-white orchid with round petals. Sounds easy right? See them in shoprite all the time? Not exactly, dears. The difference between the P. Doris and a common white orchid is that the middle, near the stamen is also moth white. A common orchid that you can find both in the stores for your home and in the orchid range at Duke Farms has a distinctive yellow center to each of its flowers.

Another curious marker that we foind at the orchid range during our media escapade was the labels on individual plants that were similar to the P. Doris we sought after. Take a look at these fine flora to see the differences:

PhalaeNOT DORIS (This gallery is owned by RetroRevival)

Trying to Bring back Doris?

All white but not a phalaenopis….

Now let’s shift our attention to another section of the property. The Garden of Nations was torn apart in 2008 because (according to savedukegardens.org) the executive director at the time explained that the time of display gardens is behind us, or something to that nonsensical effect. The structure that encased the spectacular gardens, however, is still standing. It was built in 1917 following the design of the renowned Horace Trumbauer. Commissioned by James B. Duke, the plans were initially carried out to house crops for the family to eat at their estate home. Upon his death, Doris found great solace in her father’s creations and during the middle of teh 20th century, she modified the conservatory to become a series of display gardens to honor her father’s legacy at Duke Farms. The gardens were first opened to the public in 1964, and continued in such a fashion until 2008. It is well known that many individuals of significance visited the gardens.

Of course, following the dismantling and closure, the struture was left in a state of extreme decay. Following Hurricane Sandy, most of the remaining Italianate Garden was destroyed to a point where the foundation had it removed completely. It is currently used in part for storage of the farms’ spare electric buggies. Foliage has been left to grow rampant, and some of the glass has either fallen in and shattered or is missing altogether.

The Garden of Nations, and the Duke Insignia

Garden of Nations Neglect

Horace Trumbauer’s work being sentenced to decay

Garden of Nations

Wood Rot (This Gallery is owned by RetroRevival)

Dr. Emily Cooperman’s testimony on the mansion on the property cites that in order for a struture to qualify for historic significance, the structure “must convey the work of a master”. Well, Dr. Cooperman… We found one. And both Duke and Trumbauer would be sickened at the way that its treated. The cherry picking ends with the house. We can’t allow this to go any farther. “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” (Closing Time, Semisonic). Please help us bring Justice to Doris.

Many of you are wondering where an activist movement can go from here once the mansion is demolished. Suggestions have been made and while the DORIS group is continuing their good deeds, the Retro Revival has made some contributing decisions of its own. In addition to reporting on the progress of the beloved estate, the authors of the RRBlog have committed to several mini-causes. Here is a brief synopsis of each:

A Dance for Doris: Every so often, the Retro Revival will take a request for a song and a charity in need that fits into the Duke legacy (animals, conservation, botanical education, medical research, etc) and we will choreograph a dance to perform at the estate. Sponsorship will be accepted and all proceeds will go to the charity.

Pastiche Picnics: Due to the infamous quote of the architect historian from the Trials of Doris, the mansion was frequently referenced as a ‘pastiche’ of different styles. In the same respect, the staff of the Retro Revival will join with members of DORIS to host picnics in the park (Duke Farms or Duke Island Park). These will feature food, entertainment, and networking capabilities for community members and DORIS in fair weather.

In the meantime, we have noticed several new signs have popped up across the property’s gates. As if in reflection of the magnificently unflattering work of the foundation in the demolition of the residence, these signs now include “Private Propery” and “No Drones” as well as “Out of Order”. Charming, really. Post your pictures of the signs on our Facebook page! We will be reading up on whether or not the foundation purchased the airspace above the estate to discourage legally-operating drones. Fortunately, the photographs from the excellent remote pilot are still available from his previous airtime excursion via http://www.nj.com/somerset/index.ssf/2016/03/group_claims_doris_duke_mansion_still_largely_inta.html

Various other events and volunteer opportunities will be announced as they arise. Stay tuned~ we will be posting the Letter To Doris in a few days! At the end of the weekend, we will also be publishing an analysis of Trumbauer’s work and some other oldies but goodies!!! Stay Curious and stay involved! #JusticeForDoris

Our first photo gallery (Owned by RetroRevival) from our day out in the fields at Duke Estate; the local icon of controversy and irony in absentia of the benefactor’s beloved home~ Enjoy, darlings.

Another exclusive from the RetroRevival!!! The stay was rejected by the appellate division while an appeals process is contrived. Sadly, this may be the end for the beautiful gilded age mansion, but it is only the beginning of the reforms for the estate. This week the increasingly successful grassroots organization, DORIS, (for the preservation of the Doris Duke mansion in Hillsborough New Jersey) has chosen to take a new approach to addressing the necessary reform needed at the estate, Duke Farms. The group organized a media campaign calling for the resignation of the Farms’ executive director, Michael Catania. This information was gathered over the weekend and the group permitted us to be the first informants of this radical new approach to the debates.

Catania, who has worked as the director for two years, has alleged several claims while in township hearings and county court alike regarding the condition, facts and overall significance of the Main Residence that were later refuted or otherwise proven incorrect. This individual failed to provide any exhibits or documented evidence of his work that verifies the research done for adaptive reuse of the house, mold or asbestos complications/remediation, or his expertise on any of the chief complaints surrounding why the demolition is permissible.

Under his care, the farms underwent its second most historic case of negligence ever. Since the haphazard dismantling of the Garden of Nations in 2008 the foundation has never received so much public outcry. Certainly this outrage was not expected to have come this far, let alone succeed in its processes. Mr. Catania is responsible for the estate and its employees given his occupational position. Especially as of recently, he has become extremely defensive of the slightly-demolished structure, going as far as calling a K-9 unit of the police force to ask a professional, licensed, and legally operating drone pilot to go away. There was no conflict and no legal consequences were drawn. Catania is also notable for getting ‘building permits’ issued for the removal of architecturally significant pieces within the house when he was not granted a demolition permit. His deceit and lack of transparency does not reflect well on the foundation and their work. It was under his permission that the Main Residence at the Duke Estate was permitted to fall in March 2016. But we must forbid the Duke Estate from being in the wrong hands any further. Mistreatment is not permissible.

Do you agree with the suggested resignation of the Duke Farms director? Check out the DORIS group’s Twitter and Facebook campaign #CanCatania
Add your comments and this hashtag with #DukeFarms and @DorisDukeFdn so they will see how you feel! Share this with everyone and encourage them to engage in End the injustice and keep Doris and her loving father JB’s legacy alive. Be a part of the difference and make history with us! Most importantly, Save Duke ESTATE!

After a weekend of excitement in the grassroots, Doris Duke supporters have flooded the Internet. They seek reform in every possible dimension after seeing the destruction that the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is so interested in providing. Not only to protect the house, these citizens and dedicated supporters have now chosen to turn and ask questions about the people in charge and question the authority that a charitable foundation bred by a conservationist has to destroy the home of their original benefactor.Among the bustle rises the new lawsuit in appellate court. The parties will again produce their claims but this time… both plaintiff and defendant will present in front of three judges in a panel from the state of New Jersey. This is monumental and has made strides in the grassroots movement. It eliminates, or at least sharply reduces, any influence of small-town politics on the determination of how this case will resolve. It is extremely uplifting to the writers at Retro Revival to hear the news that superior courts have already ruled to protect the house.

Thank you especially to all those who are reading carefully- We thoroughly appreciate the resonating influence of asking the hard questions in this increasingly-intricate case to save the Estate!

Here’s what you can do to help get the right questions answered! Send in a complaint form to the New York State Chaities Bureau. Since the Doris Duke Charitable Foudation is hosted in New York City, the state receives their complaints even though the estate in question is in New Jersey. The form is available through our Facebook.com/Retrorevivalblog page. All you have to do is add some information to your form and mail it into the address on the top. Consider this the letter writing campaign you’ve all been waiting for! Hopefully this will trigger an investigation to clear up any potential problems within the whole charitable trust for the future. Its due time to honor the estate, the house, and the beautiful baroness benefactor that made all this possible. Stay curious and send in those forms! For any questions regarding how to fill our this form, email us at retrorevivalist@gmail.com.

This is another exclusive of the Trials of Doris! Only from the Retro Revival, this article serves as the post-hoc review of this weekend’s DORIS activities.

So what happened to turn the tables 180 degrees? How did the grassroots manage to put up their Dukes?  At around midnight of March 6th, 2016, Judge Allison Accurso granted a ‘stop work’ order by the courts, and these papers were left to be delivered by the members of DORIS themselves. At approximately 6:45am the same morning, four members including representing attorney David Brook visited the residence of the executive director, Michael Catania, on the estate with copies of the court order in hand.

From there, Mr. Catania was skeptical of the intent of the perceived ‘enemy’, and in this hesitation, called local authorities to the scene. Once the police arrived, the protocol for the court order was explained in their presence to ensure the communication was clear and mediated. There were charges hopefully to be pressed against the DORIS members for trespassing, but law enforcement was kind enough to document that these citizens of the grassroots movement were acting as officers of the court, and their action of serving these papers was in perfect compliance with the laws. The anger and dismay radiated across the property and its staff throughout the day.

Our own Mr. Dylan had taken a stroll through the property hours after the papers were served to try to see the state of the house  from the pedestrian-accessible paths, and all regularly open paths were blocked off. Dylan also noticed DFF trucks following him and reporting on his whereabouts. The only view left of the house on pedestrian accessible roads are severely obstructed by trees with limited view, any and all previously open paths going near the house are restricted, limiting  a lot of the other sights on the estate that Ms. Duke wanted available to the public. (Header picture courtesy of RetroRevival).

The real question is why did duke farms close half the park to public access when everyone already knew what was going on? Surely their response would be ‘safety’ and to ensure ‘no one does anything stupid’. But think critically, dear readers. What do they truly have to hide? Why would they hide their actions if they are proud and confident? Sounds like shame to us at the Retro Revival. Ask questions, darlings- Stay curious!

GOOD MORNING DARLINGS! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST AT THE RETRO REVIVAL BLOG:

THE MANSION AT DUKE FARMS IN HILLSBOROUGH, NEW JERSEY WILL NOT BE DEMOLISHED AS OF MARCH 6, 2016!

In this incredible turn of events the grassroots movement known as DORIS (Demolition of Residence is Senseless), sought an emergency court order to stop the demolition of tobacco heiress Doris Duke’s primary residence in the late evening hours following the beginning of its destruction on March 5th. Summarily, the representing attorney for the group, David Brook, successfully acquired a temporary halt to all actions on the estate’s mansion through the Appellate Division and a corresponding judge. It will be tried again and details are pending…

On Saturday, March 5th, demolition began on the iconic estate house, but damages were contained to the less historic, midcentury creation called the Hollywood Wing, whose construction was largely influenced by Duke’s second husband, Porfiro Rubirosa. The ancestral home built upon the Veghte Farmhouse is still intact.

So what now? Let your voice be heard! Put up your Dukes and join in the fight to save the Duke Estate!

Dorisduke1932@gmail.com

https://www.change.org/p/duke-farms-foundaton-preserve-the-duke-mansion
https://www.gofundme.com/dorisdukemansion

https://www.gofundme.com/dorisdukemansion

Like us on Facebook.com/retrorevivalblog
And follow us on Twitter @retrorevivalist

There was an overwhelming sense of success that flooded the room at the “Afternoon with Doris” Event upon entry. Even ten minutes before the start of the festivities, the church was abuzz with happy thoughts and cheerful attitudes geared toward a positive future. Of the speakers on Miss Duke’s behalf, the event hosted Elisabeth and Carl whose lives were spent in part on the lavish Duke Estate.

The first statements were provided by the DORIS group’s representing attorney, David Brook, who summarized the course of the trials. The greatest question he asks the Judge now is “how was this legal process arbitrary or subjective? We all think there is a reason. Question is, what’s their reason?” State officials, elected senators and assemblymen, county and township officials all seem to have the same response: deadly silence. We await the opinion of the judge this coming Friday. We know that the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation used their financial power to intimidate another charity that creates perversion in the case as of the week of Monday, February 22nd, 2016. “We hope,” Brook explains, “that the judge will identify the abuses of power that have taken place here.”

“It is pretty significant that the national parks service spokesperson has prepared a letter in our favor for these hearings” Describes Nancy Piwowar. “All of it is accessible through the DORIS Facebook pages”.

Liz McConville explains the value that Doris placed on her Estate, her home, all while wearing the brass Bull Durham, a gift from Miss Duke, lovingly around her neck. “She donated 400 million dollars to charity in her lifetime. That was for public record. But she also gave millions away privately. What really bothers me is that the millions that she left to her foundation is being used wrongly to tear down her house- her favorite house! I know what her house meant to her. It would be a travesty to everything she stood for across the state and the world to tear it down.”
She also describes what Doris was really like outside the tabloids. “You can only imagine what it is like to have so much money and not know what to do with it! She was difficult and demanding but pleasant and thoughtful. You’ll never know someone that rich in your entire life.” Miss McConville carried on to read a chapter of her book, which is yet to be public.

New events are also brewing with the promise of fabulous springtime weather on the near horizon. The Retro Revival staff, in conjunction with members of DORIS, will be working on long-term projects to keep the interest in the Duke Family legacy alive. Picnics will begin in April, so please keep your calendars ready for some Saturday afternoons. Also being coordinated are ‘Prances in the Park’, a new miniseries spinoff of the Trials of Doris, which will be conducted in a sponsorship fashion. These ‘prances’ will be choreographed numbers performed by anyone who is interested along with the staff of RR, and all monies donated by sponsors will go to a predetermined charity of choice that is congruent with the interests of the Dukes. Some suggestions so far include the DORIS legal defense fund, local animal shelters, preservation efforts, arts, culture, horticulture, and medical fields. More information will follow and a new column will be prepared for “Prances in the Park”. Please email theretrorevivalist@gmail.com for any interested dancers or patrons. ALL PROCEEDS FOR SPONSORSHIP WILL GO TO THE DORIS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, AND ALL DONORS WILL BE LISTED WHEN A VIDEO IS POSTED. Thank you, and stay curious!

Beloved readers and supporters of the DORIS group, today was the set date for the trial to continue to be heard at Somerset County court. At 10am EST, the proceedings began. After much deliberation over the course of several hours, the verdict will be reached and disclosed at the end of next week. While some may be disappointed at the delay of hopefully good news, this is a vital step to review all criteria for a sound decision to be made. In this time, the Retro Revival has collaborated with DORIS to create a promotional video, ‘Save Duke Mansion’ for your viewing and sharing pleasure.

We also look forward to a very exciting new chapter to begin at the Duke Estate following an announcement to be made tomorrow at the Afternoon with Doris event held in Somerville. Please reference our last article for the details.

Please rally support in the next week if at all possible. No matter what happens, the RR team of writers is very excited to unveil projects of charity and community engagement for the new revival of the Duke Estate for years to come. We hope to keep this last estate of the industrial Dukes (and Duchesses) intact as a whole, and your support begins with the ancestral home of the Duke Family. After all, family and community is what these elites were all about. Keep the love alive and stay curious, darlings. #SaveDukeMansion

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