by CC:S MY | May 13, 2018 | NRF News
Walking through Rough Point on Mother’s Day, I’m particularly aware of the mothers looking on from their gilded-framed perches. Nanaline Holt Inman Duke’s presence via portrait is mere inches away as we walk upstairs to what was her bedroom, now arranged as her daughter, Doris Duke, decorated it and used it a few decades ago. Nanaline Duke was born and raised in Macon, Georgia; a self-possessed beauty, more “steel magnolia” than “Georgia peach.” It was her desire to join the elite families from the south and New York City who summered in Newport that had the family first renting “summer cottages,” and later buying Frederick Vanderbilt’s Rough Point in 1922. Doris, Nanaline’s only daughter, inherited Rough Point upon the death of her father, James Buchanan Duke, in 1925.
Doris’s 1923 portrait by John DaCosta is displayed next to her mother’s, at the top of the stairs. Both mother and daughter are, to borrow from the Sound of Music, “girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes.” Nanaline and Doris’ possessions are interspersed throughout the house: co-existing in the bedroom and adjoining bathroom and highlighting gifts passed from one generation to the next. Hanging in the bathroom are Nanaline’s Chinese watercolors of birds. These predate daughter Doris’ 1958/9 auction purchases of 18th-century hand-painted Chinese wallpapers depicting blossoming peony trees, exotic birds, and butterflies, now on display in the Music Room. On the crystal vanity sits an 18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. dresser set. This fifteen-piece ensemble, likely a gift to her mother, was passed on to Doris. Above Doris’s bed is an embroidered chinoiserie scene on a silk satin panel that once belonged to her mother. Characteristic of Doris’s taste and design sensibilities, practical white cotton eyelet dust ruffle and canopy from J.C. Penney-with price tags in place (!) complement the fancier room accents.
The connection between mother and daughter’s taste in collecting continues throughout the house. The Dining Room features a pair of Brussels Gothic tapestries from the early 16th century on display at either end of the dining table. Nanaline purchased these from Duveen Brothers (their 720 Fifth Avenue gallery was just twenty blocks south of the Duke’s mansion at 1 East 78th Street in Manhattan) in 1923 before leaving on a mother-daughter European sojourn the next day. In 1953 they were donated to Duke University and hung in the reference room of the west campus library. Doris asked for the tapestries back in 1957 and they came to Rough Point that July.
By Kathleen Weathers, Rough Point Tour Guide
by NRF User | May 7, 2018 | NRF News
The Development Coordinator is responsible for establishing, developing and maintaining a fundraising program to support and enhance the mission of the Foundation to include the following areas: the major gifts program, grants, annual fund, planned giving, corporate and foundation fundraising and special events. This position works closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees in all development and fundraising endeavors.
Classification: Full-time (exempt)
Department: Administrative
Reports to: Executive Director
Specific Responsibilities
- With the Executive Director, create an annual fundraising plan.
- Research availability of grants and coordinating the completion of grant applications.
- Assist the Board of Trustees and the Executive Director in the cultivation of donor relationships.
- Secure financial support from individuals, foundations and corporations.
- Identify, develop and track proposals and reporting requirements for all fundraising.
- Organize and coordinate the planning and management of the annual Doris Duke Preservation Awards and other fundraising events.
- Manage the annual fund campaign.
- Work closely with the Marketing Manager on fundraising collateral and communications to build support for the NRF.
- Research prospects, qualify major donors and strategize requests.
- Develop and maintain policies and procedures manual for gifts and data entry in accordance with fundraising principles.
- Maintain and manage fundraising database.
- Maintain gift recognition programs and donation acknowledgements.
- Attend Foundation events and create and implement strategies to cultivate/steward prospects and donors.
- Attend community events, networking events, and conferences to further fundraising goals.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Public Humanities or relevant field.
- Prior nonprofit development experience preferred.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Grant writing experience preferred.
- Strong computer and database knowledge.
- Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of work related information.
- Self-motivated individual with creative problem solving skills, and ability to organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Possess a valid driver’s license and dependable car for use in various tasks.
To apply, please submit cover letter and résumé to maeve@newportrestoration.org by 06/01/18. Full benefits package. EOE.
by CC:S MY | May 1, 2018 | NRF News
Prescott Farm’s landscape is typical of rural Aquidneck Island in the 18th and 19th centuries, with gentle sloping land, good soil, fields lined with stonewalls, and areas of scrub trees and brush. The farm is fortunate to have water on the property in the form of a brook and two small ponds, manifestly desirable in a “country seat” for a wealthy colonial gentleman.
The URI Master Gardeners, who manage the gardens at Prescott Farm, are offering:
Whether you are growing vegetables, flowers or simply caring for your lawn, proper soil is the key to good results. The trained Master Gardeners will evaluate the texture and pH of your soil sample, provide advice on improving your growing conditions, and tell you how to get more detailed testing. In addition, the Master Gardeners will offer advice on any gardening, lawn care, tree care or other questions you may have. (Weather dependent.) FREE soil analysis and gardening information at Prescott Farm on select Sundays, April through October, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
How to obtain a soil sample:
- Using a clean trowel, take and combine several smaller samples in each separate area of your property that you want to test. Take a sample at a depth of 3-4″ for lawn, 6-8″ for vegetables and flowers and 12 -18″ for fruit trees. Do not sample recently fertilized, limed or very wet soil. You can take the sample from different parts of the lawn or garden.
- Take approximately one cup of soil and spread it on a piece of paper to dry overnight.
- Transfer the sample to a small zip-lock bag. Write on the bag your name and the type of plants you plan to grow and bring it with you.
Prescott Farm is located at 2009 West Main Road, Middletown, RI.
by NRF User | May 1, 2018 | NRF News
Prescott Farm’s landscape is typical of rural Aquidneck Island in the 18th and 19th centuries, with gentle sloping land, good soil, fields lined with stonewalls, and areas of scrub trees and brush. The farm is fortunate to have water on the property in the form of a brook and two small ponds, manifestly desirable in a “country seat” for a wealthy colonial gentleman.
The URI Master Gardeners, who manage the gardens at Prescott Farm, are offering:
Whether you are growing vegetables, flowers or simply caring for your lawn, proper soil is the key to good results. The trained Master Gardeners will evaluate the texture and pH of your soil sample, provide advice on improving your growing conditions, and tell you how to get more detailed testing. In addition, the Master Gardeners will offer advice on any gardening, lawn care, tree care or other questions you may have. (Weather dependent.) FREE soil analysis and gardening information at Prescott Farm on select Sundays, April through October, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
How to obtain a soil sample:
- Using a clean trowel, take and combine several smaller samples in each separate area of your property that you want to test. Take a sample at a depth of 3-4″ for lawn, 6-8″ for vegetables and flowers and 12 -18″ for fruit trees. Do not sample recently fertilized, limed or very wet soil. You can take the sample from different parts of the lawn or garden.
- Take approximately one cup of soil and spread it on a piece of paper to dry overnight.
- Transfer the sample to a small zip-lock bag. Write on the bag your name and the type of plants you plan to grow and bring it with you.
Prescott Farm is located at 2009 West Main Road, Middletown, RI.
by CC:S MY | Apr 30, 2018 | NRF News
Want to learn more about Historic Home Maintenance? Check out NRF’s recommendations for expert resources in common mistakes, National Preservation Organizations, vinyl, windows, books and more!
Restoration – Common Mistakes
Two documents on common restoration mistakes can be found at: http://www.cttrust.org/index.cgi/98
National Park Service Preservation Briefs
The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief09.htm
Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief35.htm
Roofing for Historic Buildings: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief04.htm
The Repair, Replacement & Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief29.htm
Other Preservation Briefs found at: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/presbhom.htm
Vinyl Siding – What to Consider
Vinyl Siding: The Real Issues (from CT Trust for Historic Preservation): http://www.cttrust.org/index.cgi/1745
The Vinyl Lie (The reputability of this source is uncertain but the points he makes are, in general, very accurate.): http://www.oldlouisville.com/circa1900/Vinyl-Lie.htm
Windows
Nice summary on Saving Wood Windows from New Jersey’s Preservation office: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/4sustain/windowsave.pdf
Quick article with further instructions from eBuild.com: http://www.ebuild.com/guide/resources/product-news.asp?ID=211787&catCode=10
A Rhode Island – based wood window restorer: http://www.smithrestorationsash.com/
Preservation Websites
www.SPNEA.org
Historic New England (formerly Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities) www.vernaculararchitectureforum.org
Information, publications, and organization information
www.nthp.org
National Trust book catalog
www.ptn.org
Preservation Trades Network, information & links of interest
www.apti.org
The Association for Preservation Technology International
www.cr.nps.gov/
National Park Service preservation services, source of Preservation Briefs & other materials
www.heritagepreservation.org
Preservation information and good links
www.oldhouseweb.com
Covers many areas of old house maintenance and repair – useful
www.oldhousejournal.com
Site of the magazine of the same title, covers many areas and is regularly up-dated
www.traditional-building.com
Another magazine site with very good resource listings
Historic Product Vendors & Resources
www.abatron.com
Abatron Inc. 1-800-445-1754, epoxy wood fillers and a range of epoxy products
www.obdyke.com
Cedar Breather, 1-800-346-7655, a product that creates air space between shingles and sheathing
www.chimneys.com
General site with information and further links concerning chimney and fireplace safety products
www.chimneysweeps.com
List, by state, of licensed sweeps, information and links
www.thermocreteusa.com
Explains the process and benefits of this unique chimney lining process
www.ncsg.org
National Chimney Sweeps Guild, another listing of sweeps and info.
www.paiint.org
Various information on paint coating and links
www.paintinfo.com
Variety of paint areas covered
www.paintquality.com
Similar to above site
www.PRGinc.com
Products, information, & excellent book catalog
www.preservationweb.com
Products and services
www.usheritage.com
Masonry services & products
PRESERVATION & RESTORATION – Books
General Preservation Titles
Barthel, Diane
Historic Preservation, Rutgers University Press, 1966 Brand, Stuart
How Buildings Learn, Penguin Books, 1994.
Lindgren, James M.
Preserving Historic New England, Oxford University Press, 1995.
Mansfield, Howard
The Same Ax, Twice, University Press of New England, 2000.
Preservation Guides & References
Bristow, Ian
Interior House Paint Colours & Technique 1615 – 1846, Yale Univ. Press, 1996.
Bucher, Ward, editor
Dictionary of Building Preservation, Preservation Press, 1996.
Bullock, Orin M.
The Restoration Manuel, Silvermine Publishers, 1966 Candee, Richard
House Paints in Colonial America, Chromatic Publishing Co., out of print.
Hoadley, R. Bruce
Identifying Wood Taunton Press, 1990.
Kitchen, Judith L.
Caring For Your Old House, Preservation Press, 1991.
Maycock, Susan & Zimmerman,Sarah
Painting Historic Exteriors, Cambridge Historical Commission, 1998.
Millar, William
Plastering Plain and Decorative, BUT. Bats ford, 1897; reprinted Don head Publishing Ltd., 2001.
Miller, Judith & Martin
Period Finishes and Effects, Rizzoli, 1992.
Moss, Roger, editor
Paint in America, Preservation Press, 1994.
Nash, George
Restoring Old Houses, Taunton Press, 1998.
Phillips, Steven J.
Old House Dictionary, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1994.
Weeks, Kay D. & Grimmer, Anne E.
The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, US Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1995.
Whelehel, Harriet – editor
Caring For Your Historic House, Harry Abrams Inc., 1998.
Wilbur, C. Keith
Homebuilding & Woodwork in Colonial America, The Globe Pequot Press, 1992.
General Architectural, 18th century
Ayres, James
Building the Georgian City, Yale University Press, 1998.
Cummings, Abbott Lowell
The Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, Belknap Press, 1979.
Palladio, Andrea
The Four Books on Architecture, MIT Press 1998.
Parissien, Steven
The Georgian House in Britain and America, Rizzoli, 1995.
Trevernor, Robert
Palladio and Palladianism, Thames and Hudson, 1991.
Hafertepe, Keneth & O’Gorman, James F.
American Architects and Their Books to 1848, University of Press, 2001.
