Demolition of Historic Duke Farms Mansion Approved

It has stood for 122 years, and with one vote Thursday night, the Duke Farms mansion learned its fate.

The Historic Preservation Commission of Hillsborough approved an application to demolish the mansion by a six to one vote, according to nj.com. The commission cited the building’s erosion of historical significance in recent years and significant cost to make repairs and remediate issues like asbestos, etc.

Thousands of signatures were garnered over the summer through an online petition seeking to save the building, and some 100 residents turned out to Thursday night’s meeting in opposition of the approval vote, the report said.

The executive director of Duke Farm Foundation said the group will now apply for a demolition permit and aims to have the structure taken down in 2016, the report said.

In taking down the structure, dozens of acres will now become public land.