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. It was once a busy ironworks, where metal was made. Many 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
Ironworks and the Revolutionary War
In 1771, a Scottish engineer named Robert Erskine was hired. He came to manage the iron-making work at Ringwood. During the American Revolutionary War, Ringwood Manor played a big role.
Robert Erskine designed special underwater barriers for the Hudson River. These barriers were called cheval-de-frise. They helped protect the river from enemy ships. In 1776, General George Washington chose Erskine for an important job. He became the first Geographer and Surveyor General for the Continental Army. This meant he drew maps for the army. Erskine made over 275 maps of the northern areas.
He also kept the ironworks at Ringwood 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 and other supplies for the army.
New Owners and Important Contributions
After the Revolutionary War, in the early 1800s, Martin J. Ryerson bought the 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 sites 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, which is now Greenwood Lake. He also helped build the Pompton Feeder for the Morris Canal. The Ryerson Steel Company is still in business today.
In 1854, Peter Cooper bought Ringwood Manor. He was an inventor and a businessman from New York. One of the last owners of the Manor was Cooper's son-in-law, Abram S. Hewitt. Hewitt was also an ironmaster, a teacher, and a lawyer. He even served as a U.S. Congressman and was the mayor of New York City.
Ringwood Manor Today
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, is part of this landmark area.
There is an old building on the property that has a working forge. A forge is a place where metal is heated and shaped. This forge was rebuilt in the 1960s. Sometimes, volunteer blacksmiths still use it to show how things were made long ago.
Ringwood Manor is part of the bigger Ringwood State Park. This park also includes Skylands Manor and a fun area for recreation. You can find Ringwood Manor about three miles (5 km) east of Hewitt, New Jersey. It is located just off Route 23.
Gallery
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A view of the area around Ringwood Manor
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A Civil War mortar
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The entrance gate to Ringwood Manor
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The Ringwood Forges historic marker
See also
