RINGWOOD Ringwood Manor, the historic country house at the heart of Ringwood State Park, will be closed for the remainder of the winter to allow for cleanup of soot released by a malfunctioning furnace.
The Department of Environmental Protection's State Park Service will be working with historical conservators to ensure careful and thorough cleaning of the interior of the Manor House and its artifacts. A forced-air furnace misfired last month, spreading soot through parts of the first and second floors of the historic house.
"This was a most unfortunate event at one of our premier and most popular historic sites," said Amy Cradic, assistant commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. "The State Park Service will take every precaution necessary to ensure the protection of artifacts and the home's interior surfaces during the removal of soot."
Park Service personnel have been meeting with museum emergency response experts to discuss cleanup priorities and will work with qualified conservators during the cleanup process.
Ringwood and the Manor House were at the center of American Revolution iron-making.
The Manor House, owned in the middle 19 century by ironmaster Abram S. Hewitt, displays an extensive collection of art, furniture and other period artifacts.
Ringwood State Park and other buildings continue to maintain normal operating hours. Tours of the Manor House have been suspended pending completion of the cleanup. Most scheduled programs are taking place in other buildings around the Manor House.
For more information on Ringwood Manor and Ringwood State Park, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/ringwood.html.