Local resident Janet Foster, an architectural historian and historic preservation consultant, will deliver an illustrated lecture, titled “When Florham Was New,” on Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m. in Lenfell Hall, the Mansion, College at Florham. The talk, part of a continuing series sponsored by the Friends of Florham, will place the storied mansion and grounds of Hamilton and Florence Vanderbilt Twombly in their historical and social context: the Gilded Age that closed the 19th century.

Foster is well-qualified to lead an audience on a tour of the architectural past of Florham. After studying in the Historic Preservation Program at the Graduate School of Architecture, Columbia University, N.Y.C., (of which she is now assistant director) she co-founded with Bob Guter the historic preservation consulting firm of Acroterion. She also has written several articles about various aspects of New Jersey’s historic architecture and two books — Legacy Through the Lens (Mendham Public Library, N.J., 1986) and, with Guter, Building By the Book: Pattern Book Architecture in New Jersey (Rutgers University Press, N.J., 1992). For her work on behalf of historic preservation, she has received awards from the New Jersey Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office and Somerset County. Foster also has helped develop the Drew University Historic Preservation Certificate Program and served as a teacher and academic adviser in the program.

Foster’s talk will focus on the days when the Twomblys began creating “Florham” — called by Richard Guy Wilson one of the nation’s finest country houses. It will examine Florham’s place not only in architectural history but as a reflection of the imperial aspirations of the Gilded Age’s millionaires in a period that saw a rising tide of immigrants and the development and continuing problems of unemployment — all social phenomena prominently visible at the time in Morris County.

Foster’s presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer period, after which refreshments will be served. Admission will be $5. Tickets may be purchased at the door. For information call 973-443-8661.

February 2003

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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