Photographer, historian team up on 'Great Estates of Ringwood' Book signing set at Vreeland Store; proceeds to aid food pantries

By Don Webb
WEST MILFORD ‑‑ Two of Ringwood's historic homes -- Ringwood Manor and Skylands -- are well known, but there are others that have been hidden from the public view for years.
A new book, a team effort by West Milford photographer Ken Carroll and former Ringwood historian Elbertus Prol, will change all that. Carroll has trained with some of the world's most prominent photographers including Art Wolfe and Bryan Peterson.
"Great Estates of Ringwood" also offers insights on, photographs of and facts about Mt. Saint Francis and Table Rock, which is now privately owned and is not open for tours.
Carroll, of West Milford's Lightroom Studios, will be signing copies of the book from 6:30-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Vreeland Store, 1383 Macopin Road.
Mt. Saint Francis will never be able to be seen in any other way than through the book's pages because the property has been sold to Tennessee-based American Addiction Centers for a facility set to open next year. And Table Rock does not grant tours so the only way to see this estate is through the book, the author said.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Center for Food Action in Ringwood, Connect for Community North Jersey, which supports more than 40 food pantries, shelters and homeless agencies.
Sales will also support the Ringwood Historical Society, which maintains the town’s historic sites.
According to Carroll, the book allows readers to "bring the manors to life in their own homes."
The mansions were built by wealthy people and now, Carroll said, they will "help support those in need of food, shelter."
They will also, he added, "help keep the history alive for generations to come."
The first printing is limited to 1,500 copies and is available for $40 per book. To buy a copy online, go to www.GreatEstatesOfRingwood.com.