Duke Mansion Supporters Seek 6-Month Demolition Delay

The fight’s not over.

Not for one of New Jersey’s oldest and most distinct landmarks.

Residents will be seeking a six-month delay to allow for the exploration of other options to keep the Duke Farms Mansion from being demolished in 2016, as was voted by the Historic Preservation Commission of Hillsborough Township.

According to nj.com, the group DORIS – Demolition of Residence is Senseless – will be asking the township committee Tuesday night for the six-month moratorium.

The preservation commission voted in favor of razing the property 5-1 earlier this month, citing high expense to keep the property open and increasing renovations necessary.

The next step for the township is to have the building department approve the demolition application, which could take place in 2016.

Residents have poured into meetings regarding the matter in recent months, with 100 or so citizens voicing their opinions.

Elisabeth McConville, Doris Duke’s executive assistant for 20 years, is expected to speak at the meeting Tuesday night and plead for the moratorium, the report said.