Greenhouse At Duke Farms: 10 Most Endangered Historic Places In NJ

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A Hillsborough property is one of the state's most endangered historic places, according to a list created by Preservation New Jersey Inc. (PNJ) released Wednesday.

Trumbauer/Abele Greenhouse Complex at Duke Farms in Hillsborough was among two locations in Somerset County to make PNJ's annual list.

Constructed in the early 20th century on the prominent estate of James Buchanan Duke, this greenhouse complex is believed to be the design of Julian Abele, the first African-American architecture graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, while he worked in the office of Horace Trumbauer.

"Following last year’s controversial demolition of the Duke mansion by the Duke Farms Foundation, PNJ encourages preservation of the greenhouses and discontinuation of the Foundation’s pattern of demolition by neglect," PNJ stated in the release.

• See Related: Supreme Court Rules Doris Dukes Mansion Will Be Demolished

In Somerset County, King George Inn in Warren Township also made the list. Constructed in 1785, this building survives as the oldest in its original location in the Mount Bethel section of Warren. Originally built as a home for one of Warren’s pioneer families, the building had become an inn or tavern by 1804. It changed hands and names many times over the next two centuries, and last housed a restaurant in 2010. Damaged during Hurricane Irene, the current owner claims the building is beyond repair and seeks to redevelop the area. PNJ believes all avenues for the building’s revitalization should be explored before demolition is considered.

The 10 Most Endangered Historic Places program spotlights irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural and archeological resources in New Jersey that are in imminent danger of being lost.

The PNJ lists these places each year in hopes to bring attention to the situation and to help save the properties.

But all is not lost, PNJ noted that properties who have made the list in the past have been saved. Such as the Union Hotel in Flemington, which was included in the 2016 list.

The Flemington Redevelopment Committee and the developer have reached a new redevelopment plan that no longer calls for demolition of the Union Hotel and another historic building on Main Street.

For more information on the list and Preservation New Jersey visit www.preservationnj.org.

(Image via Vivian Bedoya)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.