Ringwood Manor facts for kids
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Ringwood Manor
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Front elevation, 2015
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 Location in Passaic County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3 mi. E of Hewitt, Ringwood Manor State Park, Ringwood, New Jersey |
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| Area | 724 acres (293 ha) |
| Built | 1739 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000471 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 13, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | November 13, 1966 |
Ringwood Manor is a historic place in Passaic County, New Jersey. For many years, it was a busy ironworks. Important people who worked with iron lived here from the 1740s to the late 1800s. The main house you see today was built in 1807.
Contents
History of Ringwood Manor
The Revolutionary War Era
In 1771, a Scottish engineer named Robert Erskine started managing the ironworks at Ringwood. He played a big part in the American Revolutionary War. In 1776, he designed a special underwater barrier for the Hudson River. This barrier, called a cheval-de-frise, helped protect the river.
General George Washington then chose Erskine for an important job. He became the first Geographer and Surveyor General for the Continental Army. Erskine drew more than 275 maps of the northern areas. He also kept the Ringwood ironworks running. The iron made here was very important for the war. It was used to make parts for the Hudson River Chain. This was a huge chain placed across the river to stop British ships. Iron from Ringwood also helped make tools for the army.
The Ryerson Family and Iron Production
In the early 1800s, Martin J. Ryerson bought the historic ironworks. He started building the current Manor House in 1807. At the same time, he continued to run the iron mines and forges. For the next 50 years, Ryerson managed five iron-making sites. These were spread across three counties.
He even made cannonballs for the War of 1812. Ryerson also worked with the Morris Canal Company. He helped them expand Long Pond (now Greenwood Lake). He also helped build the Pompton Feeder for the Morris Canal. The Ryerson Steel Company is still in business today.
Later Owners and National Recognition
In 1854, Peter Cooper bought Ringwood Manor. He was a famous inventor and businessman from New York. One of the last owners of the Manor was Cooper's son-in-law, Abram S. Hewitt. Hewitt was an ironmaster, a teacher, a lawyer, a U.S. Congressman, and even the mayor of New York City.
In 1966, a large area of 479-acre (194 ha) around the manor house was named a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very important historical site. The entire Ringwood Manor State Park, which is 479 acres (194 ha), is part of this landmark area.
One of the old buildings at Ringwood Manor has a working forge. A forge is where metal is heated and shaped. This forge uses coal and a bellows. It was rebuilt in the 1960s. Sometimes, volunteer blacksmiths still use it to show how iron was made long ago.
Ringwood Manor is part of the bigger Ringwood State Park. This park also includes Skylands Manor and a fun recreation area. You can find Ringwood Manor about three miles (5 km) east of Hewitt, New Jersey. It's located just off Route 23.
Gallery
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View of the area surrounding the Ringwood Manor
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Civil War mortar
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Entrance gate
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Ringwood Forges H.M.
See also
