Golden Anniversary Events Continue

Twombly Family Lecture

The College at Florham Library will host a talk about the Twombly family by Walter Savage, emeritus, English (Flor). Florence Vanderbilt Twombly and her husband, Hamilton McKown Twombly, in 1894, established their Florham estate residence, also giving the name to the town of Florham Park. When the estate was sold, a portion was purchased by Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1958 and became its campus, which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. Savage’s talk will take place in the Orangérie of the College at Florham Library, on Wednesday, October 22, 6:30–8:30 p.m. There is no charge for this event. For information call 973-443-8515 or 973-443-8516.

Vocal Concert by ‘The Ten’

The men’s singing group “The Ten” will help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s College at Florham with a Sunday, October 26, concert featuring songs from the last five decades.

The Friends of Florham is sponsoring “Something to Sing About: Selections Spanning the Half Century.” The event starts at 3 p.m. in Hennessy Hall (Mansion) at the College at Florham.

Despite its name, “The Ten” is currently made up of 17 singers who have their roots in the 125-voice University Glee Club of New York City, founded in 1894. “The Ten” was formed in 1979, when 10 members of the glee club banded together to perform. The name stuck, even though the group has had up to 20 members over the years. Members include alumni of such collegiate a cappella groups as Yale’s Whiffenpoofs, Harvard’s Krokodiloes and Dartmouth’s Aires. Among the younger members are the sons of two of the founders. Members live in the New York City metropolitan area, including New Jersey, working at day jobs ranging from law and finance to theater and construction.

“The Ten”’s repertoire includes sacred and secular songs, sea chanteys, spirituals, motets and selections from popular artists such as James Taylor and Billy Joel. They mostly sing a cappella four-part harmony, but sometimes sing in six parts or accompanied by piano or guitar. For the College at Florham event, “The Ten” will sing pieces from each decade since the college was founded.

The Friends of Florham, a volunteer organization, was founded in 1990 to help the University preserve the historic gardens, grounds and buildings of Florham. The group has contributed to several major projects, including the renovation of Lenfell Hall in Hennessy Hall and the restoration of the Clowney Garden and fountain, which made a cameo appearance in the film “A Beautiful Mind.” The Friends also offer lectures and programs to increase awareness of the significance of Florham and its role in the history of Morris County.

Tickets to the concert, at $25, include a reception afterward and may be purchased at the door. For more information, call (201) 692-7008.

Trivia Contest

Father Joseph Farias, director, campus ministry (Flor), and Loren Kania, student (Flor), are the winners of the September Trivia Contest. The winners received a $100 gift certificate to the campus bookstore.

Answers to the September contest are:

1. Who was the founder of FDU? (Peter Sammartino)

2. The FDU Madison campus was formerly the private estate of which couple? (Hamilton McKown Twombly and Florence Vanderbilt Twombly)

3. What was the name of Twombly’s New Jersey estate? (Florham)

4. Central Park in New York and the grounds of Florham were planned by a famous landscape architect. What is his name? (Frederick Law Olmsted)

5. What was the first residence hall constructed on the College at Florham? (Twombly Hall)

6. What is the name of FDU’s college in England? (Wroxton)

7. In 1958, the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play starring Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor was released. What was the name of that film? (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)

8. In 1958, a popular plastic doll, with an extensive wardrobe of fabric clothes, was introduced. What is the name of that doll? (Barbie)

9. In 1959, the “King of Rock and Roll” joined the U.S. Army. Who was he? (Elvis Presley)

10. In 1958, what American League team won the World Series, its seventh in the previous 10 years? (New York Yankees)