Postcards from the Past: Week 10

This resource was created by Carl Cucchiara and Kate Reilly

Overview:
In this series, participants will visit the past while developing an understanding of the present by comparing postcards of "Duke's Park" from the early 1900s to current views of the same location at Duke Farms. 

Background:
James Buchanan Duke, amassing his fortune in tobacco and hydro-electric power, arrived on the banks of the Raritan River in 1893. He bought farms, mostly from early Dutch settlers, who had removed early growth while introducing many non-native plants to the area. J.B. Duke wished to emulate the European gardens and parks he encountered on his travels and desired to create his own park in Hillsborough, NJ. With manicured lawns, a variety of native and non-native plants, in addition to many structures and statues inspired by his ventures, he opened “Duke's Park” to the public in the early 1900s.                           

The Challenge:
Over the next few weeks, we will present scenes from these early postcards of Duke Farms partnered with a current photograph of the same site. These will be posted weekly. 

• Can you identify the specific differences between the view from a historic postcard and a current photo of the same area?
• Can visitors, who have previously visited the property recognize the location? Or, if you are new to Duke Farms, we encourage you to explore our website or app for clues.  
• If this activity inspired you to further explore how our recent initiatives improve the environment while maintaining the integrity of the past, click here. 
• There are a series of questions under the pair of photos. 
• The answers for each week will be posted under the following week.

Questions:

1. The early postcard calls this waterfall the “Silver Cascades.” What is it called today?  
2. Both the postcard and the recent photo vantage points were taken on which Duke Farms path? 
3. During normal operations, how often does this waterfall get turned on each day?
4. What Duke Farms’ water resource feeds this waterfall? 
5. Extra Credit: What are the times during the day when the waterfall is turned on?
6. Super Bonus: All the lakes at Duke Farm are manmade and the water systems date back to the early 1900s. What was the original water source that fed these lakes?

Click here for Week 9

Answers to Week 9

1. Central Way
2. Coach Barn
3. Roof and weathervane
4. Durham Bull
5. 4 different continents