THE GHOSTS OF RINGWOOD MANOR By L'Aura Muller Seated in northern New Jersey is a beautiful, rolling estate known as The Ringwood Manor. This once sprawling 582-acre historical setting is now home to tourists, tour guides and ghosts. It makes for a nice Sunday drive to Ringwood Manor. The tour of the mansion is free and comprehensive. Unfortunately, for the paranormal investigator, one is not allowed to take pictures inside the mansion. The original part of the home's construction dates back to 1762. Robert Erskine, the geographer for George Washington, arrived in 1771. Ringwood Manor served as a supply center, strategic headquarters, and transportation route during the American Revolution. George Washington, whose "eyes that follow you everywhere in the room" portrait in the front parlor, had his critical defense mapping agency centered here. The house was completely rebuilt in 1807 by Martin Ryerson who profited from the iron sales. The iron works of Ringwood and its surrounding areas supplied ore for three wars and the rail systems that connected the early nation. The Hewitts entertained dignitaries in the large dining room, often with 12 course meals and a different wine at each course. Ringwood gained the reference of "the second White House". In 1936, the late Erskine Hewitt left the property to the State of New Jersey. There is a small graveyard on the property. Members of the NJ Ghost Hunters Society have captured EVP's there. EVP's (Electromagnetic Voice Phenomena) are spirit recordings or ghost voices caught on audiotape - digital and/or analog. Hans Holzer, the "grandfather of ghost hunting", visited Ringwood Manor years back with a psychic medium in tow. The psychic described the spirit of a female on the second floor, one who was not all that thrilled with the various amounts of people filtering through the home on the tours. This spirit could be that of the late Mrs. Hewitt. If you venture out on the tour, pay attention to the chill you might experience on the second floor along the hallway from the top of the stairs to the end where the children's bedroom is on your right. Personally, I felt a little ill at ease when passing the bedroom doorway that was opposite the top of the stairs - just before the sewing room. I'm sure Mrs. Hewitt's spirit patrols that general area, so there's no telling you exactly where you might sense something. Again, the park officials do not allow photography inside the Manor as the flash of the camera, repeatedly, would fade the fabrics and such. However, they didn't say no EMF (electromagnetic field strength) meters were allowed, nor thermal scanners. Perhaps, if time allows this Halloween season, one could take the "Enchanted Evening Tour" at Ringwood accompanied with the aforementioned "gizmos". The guided tours will be an opportunity to meet the historic inhabitants of The Forges & Manor of Ringwood. Master Story Tellers Elbertus Prol & Annie Callan-Darling will introduce you to the legends and personalities of Ringwood Manor's past. Tours include a lantern-lit walk to Ringwood's old Burying Ground. Tickets are limited to twenty individuals per tour, and take place on Friday evenings during the month of October, and on Halloween. Advance reservation and payment is required and children under 10 are discouraged. Contact information is: Ringwood Manor State Park Sloatsburg Road Ringwood, NJ 07456 Phone: (973) 962-2240 Enjoy the Ringwood Manor for its grandeur, history and ghost(s)?? Happy Halloween, and, as always, Happy Haunting!   [Editor's Note: Ms. Muller is correct when she stated that no photos are allowed inside Ringwood Manor. Even the NJHM crew was denied permission when we visited. Therefore all accompanying illustrations of the interior are taken from postcards, circa 1960's. We did notice a "cold" feeling at the end of the hall near the nursery, but whether it was from spirits or the lack of the warmth of any light, we could not say. Visit and try for yourself! There is another ghost mentioned in Janice Sarapin's book, the spirit of Sallie's Pond. The pond is shown in the title photo above. This ghost rises at night and chases off anyone who dares venture near the water or house. She has even been know to steal the fishing rods and tackle boxes of unsuspecting fishermen.] (The author, L'Aura Muller, is the co-founder of the New Jersey Ghost Hunters Society located in Westwood, New Jersey, and has assisted NJHM with her expertise on numerous occasions.) SOURCES Old Burial Grounds of New Jersey By: Janice Kohl Sarapin Rutgers University Press, 1984 ---- BUY THIS BOOK! The Story of Ringwood Manor By: Alden T. Cottrell North Jersey Highlands Historical Society, 1974 SPECIAL THANKS TO Ringwood Manor State Park Ringwood, NJ   BACK TO HALLOWEEN TALES - 2001