OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

RINGWOOD STATE PARK AND SKYLANDS MANOR ARE HOME TO SEVERAL
HOLIDAY EVENTS STARTING THIS WEEKEND
OPEN HOUSE, CANDLELIGHT TOURS AND VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHT SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS

(14/P130) TRENTON – Holiday cheer will be mixed with history and tradition over the next two weekends in seasonal events scheduled for recently restored Ringwood Manor and nearby Skylands Manor, both located in scenic Ringwood State Park in northern Passaic County.

Ringwood Manor will host its 39th annual Victorian Christmas over the next two weekends, while Skylands Manor is home to both a Holiday Open House, and champagne and candlelight tours this Friday and Saturday.

“These are both spectacular venues that will be further enhanced by the efforts of volunteers and staff to create a special, traditional holiday atmosphere for our visitors,’’ said Mark Texel, Director of the State Park Service Division of Parks and Forestry of the New Jersey DEP. “These beautiful locations in northern New Jersey are ideal to celebrate the season.”

Ringwood Manor is a magnificent 19th century country house and National Historic Landmark that was home to well-known American ironmasters in the 19th and 20th centuries. Located on a low hill overlooking a bucolic landscape, it is especially well-suited for visits during the winter holiday season.

Skylands Manor is a 44-room mansion built in the 1920s to mimic the English Jacobean architecture common in the English countryside 400 years ago. It is situated in the 96-acre New Jersey Botanical Gardens, which is part of Ringwood State Park.

“The Victorian Christmas event has become an annual tradition for families to come together and tour the beautifully decorated Ringwood Manor, putting everyone in the holiday spirit," said Sue Shutte, historian for Ringwood State Park. "Victorian Christmas whisks visitors back in time to experience the warmth and beauty of the holiday season at historic Ringwood Manor."

“The New Jersey Botanical Garden is delighted to feature the Tudor Manor House at Skylands for day and evening tours this holiday season. We can promise all who visit beautiful glitter and greenery,” said Maja Britton, spokeswoman for the Botanical Garden Skylands Association, which is sponsoring these events.

 Dates and times for these events are:

• 39 Annual Victorian Christmas, Ringwood Manor. Ringwood State Park
  December 6, 7, 13, 14
  11a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Fee:  $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; $3 for children ages 6-12
  Ringwood Manor, Ringwood State Park
  (973) 962-2240
  Sponsor:  Woman’s Club of West Milford & the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society
  www.ringwoodmanor.org.
• Holiday Open House, Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park
  December 4, 5, 6 & 7
  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Fee: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children 6-12 $5 under 6 Free
  Ringwood State Park, Skylands Manor
  (973) 962-9534
  Sponsor: NJBG Skylands Association
  http://www.njbg.org/
• Champagne and Candlelight Tours, Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park
  December 5 and 6
  6 to 8 p.m.
  Sponsor: NJBG Skylands Association
  http://www.njbg.org/tickets-hoh.shtml
  (973) 962-9534
  The Manor will be yours for a leisurely stroll with champagne, light refreshments and valet parking. By reservation and subject to availability.

For more about these parks and organizations please visit:

NJ Botanical Garden Skylands Manor
http://www.njbg.org/skylandsmanor.shtml

Ringwood Manor
http://www.ringwoodmanor.org/

New Jersey State Parks
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ringwood.html#sky

MEDIA: FOR PHOTOS OF PREVIOUS EVENTS, PLEASE VISIT:
http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2014/ringwood-photos.html
http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2014/skylands-photos.html