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Linda Rossin
SAA, AFC, MAA, MPSGS, CPA, AMA, ICMA
Birds, Mammals, Fine Art Miniatures |
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Linda Rossin Studios
Alfred Ringling of the Ringling Brothers Circus initiated construction of his private estate in 1913 in the rolling hills of Oak Ridge, New Jersey. It consisted of a manor house and a grouping of specialized structures on and near Lake Swannanoa. My studio was originally constructed as a carriage house, but after Alfred’s unexpected death in 1921 it became the home to the great cats of the R.T. Richards Circus, which was owned and operated by Alfred’s son. It has been rumored that elephants sometimes occupied these same quarters and I have heard that these buildings remained active and held surplus animals until the late 1940’s.
After Richard Ringling vacated this complex, the buildings were sold independently. This particular building was purchased by a candle manufacturer, but due to unfortunate circumstances there was a fire. Fortunately this occurrence didn’t affect the solid stone structure and only the roof required replacement. Shortly after this incident a small performing arts theater took over the building before it was sold once again. Although this time it was used as a commercial business site for custom plastic bag manufacturing, no further alterations were made because this owner felt a great respect for the building’s architectural beauty and important place in history.
The above picture is very deceiving and gives the appearance of a small quaint structure. In reality the building is 3,000 square feet with a 18 foot peaked ceiling! It is 25 feet wide and 100 feet long. The inner walls are the same fieldstone as that of the outside, and the ceiling is made up of large wooden beams and trusses. Some interior changes have been made including new drywall construction, an energy efficient heating and AC system, and all electric has now been brought up to code. Only a minimum of visual external modifications have been made, such as an insulated roof. Like the previous owner, my intentions are to maintain the integrity and romantic allure of the period.
This building, as well as the other stone structures on the 185 acre estate are on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey.
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