Ringwood Manor
Programs &
Presentations for
2014-2015
A Historic House Museum,
A National Historic Landmark District
& State Historic Site
This manual was assembled by the Staff of Ringwood Manor &
Ringwood State Park
Ringwood, New Jersey
August 2014
Ringwood Manor
Ringwood State Park
New Jersey State Park Service
Division of Parks and Forestry
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Thank you for you interest in Ringwood Manor!
The history of Ringwood Manor spans several hundred years. This provides unique learning
experiences for visitors of all ages! The Ringwood Manor staff have developed a number of on
site and off site programs, presentations, and tours that suit a variety of ages and interest
levels, from kindergarten students to adults and anyone in between. Below, you will find a title
and description of each program, along with recommendations on what grade level or age the
program is best suited for, length of the program, and applicable fees. Programs meet various
common core curriculum standards.
You may wish to choose an individual program, or combine two or more during your visit.
Please note that if you choose multiple programs, you should add the times together to
determine how long your group would need to be at the site, as well as add the fees together
for the total cost of the program. Also note that programs may be substituted if the weather is
inclement. Should you have questions, or wish to customize your visit further, please contact
the historic site staff at 973-962-2240 or rspris@verizon.net
**Please note: The availability of the following programs is contingent on the number of staff we
have available for the requested date.
On Site Programs
These programs are meant to complement and supplement information presented in the
classroom before the groups arrive at Ringwood Manor. It is helpful for the participants to
have a general knowledge of various historical events when they arrive. Programs are not
intended as substitutes for classroom educational lessons. Should you wish, information can
be sent in advance of the visit to prepare the group for the on-site program(s).
Half and Full-Day Visits
These are our most popular programs, particularly for school groups. These programs were
designed to fit into school schedules and ensure that buses return as needed.
Half-Day Visit
This half-day program discusses Ringwood’s role throughout history for the past 250
years. Half-day visits consist of two different lessons focusing on two major periods of
history at Ringwood. First, the Revolutionary War portion discusses the iron industry
and its impact on the area, the contributions of iron master and Surveyor General
Robert Erskine during the American Revolution, and includes a march to the historic
cemetery with wooden muskets. The second portion includes an interior Manor House
tour where 19th century social history and life at Ringwood, the impact of the Cooper
& Hewitt families on 19th century social and political history, and the interior
furnishings are discussed.
Time: A minimum of 2 hours is needed for this program, with 2 and a half hours being
desirable. Half-day visits generally begin around 9:30am and end before noon, with
students returning to school for lunch and afternoon lessons.
Best suited for grades: 4th, 5th, & 6th grades (7th & 8th grades to a lesser extent)
Fee: $3 per person
Notes: Please note that only two groups/classes of 25 can be accommodated for this
program at a time.
Full-Day Visit
Full-day visits require participants to bring their lunch and eat on site, but also have
the benefit of additional hands-on history activities. The full-day program discusses
Ringwood’s role throughout history, specifically during the late 18th century and late
19th century. During the first half of the day, participants discuss Ringwood’s iron
industry and role in the American Revolution, including the contributions of Robert
Erskine. Participants will learn how to take grave rubbings at the historic cemetery
and how to make a map using 18th century survey equipment and basic math skills.
The second half of the day will focus on 19th century social history of the Cooper &
Hewitt families at Ringwood Manor. Included with the interior tour of Ringwood
Manor, participants will learn about the tradition of calling cards and their etiquette,
“the language of the fan” used to send messages across parlors and ballrooms, and 19th
century dress and manners.
Time: a minimum of 5 hours is needed for this program (which includes time for the
participants to each lunch on site). Pre-visit packets with calling cards should be given
out to participants before the visit with time allotted to have participants read them
over (20-30 minutes needed before visit). Full day visits generally begin around 9:30am
and end at 2 or 2:30pm.
Best suited for grades: 6th, 7th & 8th grades (can be modified for 4th & 5th grades)
Fee: $7 per person
Notes: Lunch must be brought to the site by participants. In case of inclement weather,
the map making and grave rubbing activities will be substituted for another
Revolutionary War themed activity that will take place indoors. See Program D listed
below).
Mix & Match: Your Options
The following programs can be done as stand-alone or mixed-and-matched to create your own
group’s custom visit to Ringwood Manor.
Program A: Ringwood Manor house tour
Two variations to allow for time:
A1. A guided interior house tour of Ringwood Manor is given of the 30 rooms
currently open to the public. Topics discussed include the owners of the home, the
development of the house, famous friends and guests, and information on interior
furnishings and artwork.
Time: An hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half
Best suited for grades: 3rd grade through college, and other adults groups
Fee: $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, children ages 5 and under free.
A2. Same as description listed except that a “scavenger hunt” is given to children to
assist them in looking for various items found inside the Manor.
Time: An hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half
Best suited for grades: 3rd through 6th grade
Fee: $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, children ages 5 and under free.
Program B: Cemetery/Revolutionary War at Ringwood Program
Two variations to allow for time:
B1. Participants march as soldiers with wooden muskets to the historic cemetery on
the property. Along the way, participants discuss Ringwood’s role in the Revolutionary
War, with a focus on Robert Erskine. Topics include: Ringwood’s magnetite iron and
its benefits to the War effort, along with the difficulties it presented for navigating the
area; the iron implements that were made and supplied to the war effort which
included cannonballs, camp stoves, and chain links; Ringwood’s location between West
Point, NY and Morristown, NJ; Robert Erskine’s roles as iron master, Surveyor
General, and inventor. The historic importance of cemeteries and the information they
contain is discussed as well.
Time: 45mintues to 1 hour
Best suited for grades: 4th, 5th, & 6th grades
Fee: $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, children ages 5 and under free.
B2. Program consists of everything listed above AND grave rubbings at the historic
cemetery.
Time: 1 and a half hours
Best suited for grades: 4th, 5th, & 6th grades
Fee: $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-12, children ages 5 and under free.
Note: This program cannot take place during rain due to the materials used for the
grave rubbings. Program may be substituted OR a rain date may be chosen if
available.
Program C: Historic Surveying & Map Making Program
Best suited to be used in conjunction with the above listed Cemetery/Revolutionary
War at Ringwood program, but can also be done as a stand-alone program.
Participants learn how to do basic surveying based on the equipment used by Surveyor
General Robert Erskine. Reproduction compasses, chains, and pins will be used to
survey an area of the property, and participants will use math and drawing skills to
complete a map.
Time: 1 hour
Best suited for grades: 7th & 8th grades, high school students.
Fee: $4 for people ages 10 and up (not suitable for children ages 9 and under)
Notes: This program cannot take place during rain. Program would be substituted for
the Hudson River Obstruction program listed below OR a rain date may be chosen if
available.
Program D: Revolutionary War in Ringwood & the Hudson River Obstructions
Best suited to be used in conjunction with the Cemetery/Revolutionary War at
Ringwood program OR in place of the Cemetery/Revolutionary War at Ringwood
program in case of inclement weather.
Participants gather in the small coffee shop next to Ringwood Manor. A short lecture is
given (about 20 minutes) on Ringwood’s role in the Revolutionary War, with a focus on
Robert Erskine. Topics covered are listed in the description of the
Cemetery/Revolutionary War at Ringwood (see Program B above). Particular focus is
paid at the end of the lecture to the various Hudson River obstructions that were
constructed during the Revolutionary War. Participants are then broken into smaller
groups and given a variety of materials with which they have 45 minutes to design and
construct their own obstructions to stop a boat. Each group’s design is then weighed,
placed in water, and tested by a small motorized boat.
Time: 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes
Best suited for grades: 5th, 6th, and 7th grades.
Fee: $4 for people ages 10 and up (not suitable for children ages 9 and under)
Notes: This program is used in place of the Historic Surveying & Map Making
program in case of inclement weather. However, this program is also available to
groups that wish to book it or in conjunction with other programs. Please note that the
coffee shop can only hold 28 people total. Arrangements can be made for larger
groups.
Program E: A Child’s Life at Ringwood Manor
Two variations to allow for time:
E1. This is a guided interior house tour of Ringwood Manor, with a focus on the
children of the Cooper & Hewitt family, the activities they were involved in at the
Manor, and what a typical child’s life would be like during the late 19th century. All 30
rooms of the house are shown along with the information presented.
Time: 45 minutes to an hour
Best suited for grades: Kindergarten to 6th grade
Fee: $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, children ages 5 and under free.
E2. Same as description listed except that a “scavenger hunt” is given to children to
assist them in looking for various items found inside the Manor
Time: An hour to an hour and 15 minutes
Best suited for grades: Kindergarten to 6th grade
Fee: $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, children ages 5 and under free.
Program F: 19th Century Social Life & Ringwood Manor
The following programs may be added to a Ringwood Manor House tour (Program A) for
additional emphasis on the Gilded Age customs of the late 19th century. Please add additional
time noted for each program below to the time allotted for the Ringwood Manor house tour.
F1. Calling Cards: Unlike the business cards used today, calling cards served a social
function during the 19th century. This short program explains how and why they were
used. A pre-visit packet is mailed to the group leader ahead of time with calling cards
to be distributed to participants. Each calling card lists a name of an actual visitor to
Ringwood Manor, along with a short biography. The participant “becomes” that
person and uses their calling card to introduce themselves as part of this program.
Time: 15 minutes onsite (distribution of cards and allotting time for participants to
read them ahead of time: 30 minutes)
Best suited for grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th grades
Fee: $1 per person
F2. Historic Dress: Fashion of the late 19th century was much more complicated than
it is today, with various outfits for various occasions, loads of undergarments, and
yards of fabric. This program shows how men and women dressed, using reproduction
19th century clothing to dress a mannequin.
Time: 20 minutes
Best suited for grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th
Fee: $1 per person
F3. Language of the Fan: We live in an era of instant communication: text messages,
social media, emails, etc. But in the late 19th century, people could convey messages
instantly, too! Learn how a fan was used to send messages across a room full of people,
with participants using one to send messages to each other.
Time: 15 minutes
Best suited for grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th
Fee: $1 per person
Program G: Historic Games
This program is best used as an “add-on” to one of the Ringwood Manor house tours
(Program A). At the end of the tour, children are given the opportunity to play with
reproduction historic games (hoop & stick, games of graces, quoits, ball & cup, etc.) on
the front lawn of the Manor (weather permitting).
Time: 20 minutes
Best suited for grades: Kindergarten to 6th grade
Fee: $1 for children ages 6-12, children 5 and under free, $3 for adults
Program H: In Washington’s Footsteps
This program highlights our nation’s first President, George Washington. Washington
was known to have visited Ringwood at least five times during the Revolutionary War
period, and several of the buildings and structures that he went to still exist! This
program shows participants those features and talks about what they were used for
and why Washington visited Ringwood in the first place. Walk where Washington
actually walked over 225 years ago!
Time: 45 minutes to an hour
Best suited for grades: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades
Fee: $1 for children ages 6-12, children 5 and under free, $3 for adults
Program I: The Architecture of Ringwood Manor
Built over the course of 100 years and remodeled several times, Ringwood Manor is an
eclectic mix of several different architectural styles and features. This program
discusses the interior and exterior architectural features from the Federal, Gothic,
Victorian, and Neo-Classical periods and the various architects involved in creating the
structure as it is seen today.
Time: an hour and a half
Best suited for grades: high school & college classes, and other adults groups
Fee: $2 per person
Program J: Grounds & Gardens Tour
Two variations to allow for time:
J1. This guided, 2-hour exterior walking tour will take visitors around the main
property at Ringwood Manor, discussing the historic objects, the planned gardens and
landscape features, the out-buildings, and the cemetery. Historic photographs of the
property will be shown throughout. Participants will have the opportunity to see the
inside of the historic blacksmith shop and carriage barn.
Time: 2 hours
Best suited for grades: high school & college classes, and other adult groups
Fee: $4 per person
J2. This shorter version takes visitors around the immediate vicinity of Ringwood
Manor, discussing the historic objects on the front lawn & the planned gardens and
landscape features to the rear of the Manor. Historic photographs will be shown to
enhance the tour.
Time: 1 hour
Best suited for grades: high school & college classes, and other adult groups
Fee: $2 per person
Note: Please note that this version does not include visits to the blacksmith shop,
carriage barn, or cemetery.
Off Site Programs
Can’t make it to Ringwood Manor for a program? Let us come to you! We have a variety of
PowerPoint presentations that highlight the history of the estate and are suitable for a range
of ages. Don’t see a program that highlights a topic you would like to hear about? Ask us
about customizing a presentation for your group’s interests!
Presentation A: A History of Ringwood Manor
This presentation is a general overview of the history of the estate, starting with the
founding of the ironworks company in 1740 through the creation of the state park and
historic site in the 1930s. The various historic individuals and their involvement on the
property are discussed. Both historic and modern images are shown.
Time: 1 hour (includes time for questions and answers)
Best suited for grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th grades, high school & college classes, and
other adults groups.
Fee: $50
Note: Facility must have a PowerPoint projector.
Presentation B: The Grounds & Gardens of Ringwood Manor
Although this presentation gives an overview of the Cooper & Hewitt family and
Ringwood Manor, it focuses on the development of the landscape around the property.
The formal garden designs, natural features, landscape architects involved in the
designs, and historic items placed on the property will be discussed. Both historic and
modern images of the grounds are shown. Great for garden clubs!
Time: 1 hour (includes time for questions and answers)
Best suited for grades: high school & college classes, and other adult groups
Fee: $50
Note: Facility must have a PowerPoint projector.
Presentation C: The Cooper-Hewitt Family and their Philanthropy
This presentation discusses the Cooper & Hewitt family, their rise in the areas of
business and politics, and how they used their wealth to benefit society. Their
involvement in philanthropic causes in New York City and the northern NJ area will
be discussed. Additionally, the presentation will highlight their influence on other
wealthy Gilded Age society members to give back to others. You’ll be surprised at how
many things they were involved in!
Time: 1 hour (includes time for questions and answers)
Best suited for grades: high school & college classes, and other adult groups
Fee: $50
Note: Facility must have a PowerPoint projector.
Other topics that can be highlighted along with the history of the Ringwood Manor
estate and the Cooper & Hewitt families include: Edward R. Hewitt’s involvement in
fishing and conservation; the Hewitt sisters/the women of the Cooper & Hewitt family;
the employees and other industries on the estate; various museum collections (artwork,
furniture, etc.); the architecture of the Manor; the political activities of Peter Cooper
& Abram S. Hewitt; etc.