County opens archaeology center at Harry S. Freeland House with $1.3 million investment

County officials and local partners on Monday celebrated the opening of a new county archaeology center housed in the restored Harry S. Freeland House overlooking the Monksville Reservoir.

"This is a very special moment for the county and for the preservation of our shared history," Commissioner John Bartlett said, thanking the board for what he described as a $1.3 million investment that made the project possible. Bartlett spoke at the event organized by the board of county commissioners and praised the center's role in education and public access to historical resources.

Susan Shu T., introduced as a Ringwood State Park historian, read a statement on behalf of Ringwood State Park Superintendent Eric Payne, saying the park staff was "grateful to be here today to pledge our support and celebrate the preservation of yet another cultural resource." She said the park looks forward to collaborating on interpreting countywide archaeological sites for the public at the Freeland House.

Councilwoman Ivonne Eckles of Ringwood welcomed the center to the borough and described it as a "hands-on, accessible, and deeply inspiring" place that will give students and residents the opportunity to learn archaeology as both a science and a trade. Eckles added that increased visitation to the site should support local businesses.

Event organizers noted partnerships with the county's department of cultural and historic affairs and thanked local officials for attending, including Mayor Marley and borough administrator Scott Heck. The program closed with a ceremonial ribbon cutting led by Commissioner Bartlett and other officials.

There were no formal votes or policy actions recorded at the ceremony; officials described the event as a community partnership and the public opening of the facility.