State officials are closing Ringwood Manor, the historic museum in the heart of Ringwood State Park, for the winter after a furnace misfired and left a layer of soot covering priceless artifacts.

The Department of Environmental Protection says it will work with historical conservators to ensure careful and thorough cleaning of the interior of the manor and its artifacts. According to DEP, the furnace misfired last month, pushing soot through parts of the first and second floors.

The museum was home to well-known ironmasters for nearly 200 years and is part of a National Historic Landmark District. It served an important role during the American Revolution as a supply center and strategic headquarters for George Washington's mapping operations.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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