FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 14, 2009

Thompson Visitor Center rededicated
Visitors once again enjoy stately and much loved mansion

LINCROFT – Members of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Board of Recreation Commissioners welcomed visitors to the newly reconstructed Thompson Park Visitor Center on Sunday, July 12 at a grand reopening ceremony.  

“The new Visitor Center respects the historic character of the former building and honors Geraldine Thompson's legacy to the people of Monmouth County," said Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the county Park System. "One might say that the "Grand Old Lady' lives again.”
 
Originally built in the 1890s and renovated in the early 2000s, the mansion was completely destroyed by a fire in February 2006. Reconstructed with funds from an insurance settlement, the new Visitor Center was built on the building’s original footprint, and retains the same general appearance with its yellow and dark green color scheme and well-known, 22-foot tall Doric porch columns.

Often referred to as the “crown jewel” of the Park System, this stately mansion was the former home of Geraldine Thompson, whose 215-acre land donation in 1968 helped establish Thompson Park.
 
“The Park System staff has worked tirelessly on the rebuilding of this important building,” said Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow. “We have before us what appears to be a replica of the previous building, but this visitor center is much better.  It maximizes its use of space, provides access for all and uses some smart, green building materials and systems.

Many of the new exterior and interior details match the building’s original and historic features and finishes. The siding on the building is not the original wood clapboard but a cement-based product called Hardieplank™, which was chosen because it is a green product. 

The event was marked by the revealing of a cornerstone for the new building and the opening of the first floor exhibit that leads visitors on a journey through the property’s horse racing history to a transformation into a park for all ages, interest and abilities.  

“This begins a new chapter in the history of Thompson Park,” said Freeholder Deputy Director John D’Amico. “The Visitor Center will again provide space for recreation programs, but its new exhibit tells the story of this park and the 14,500-acre county Park System.”
 
The replacement cost of the new 20,000 square-foot Visitor Center totaled $8.7 million which included the salvage contract, the general construction contract, professional fees, utilities and site work, carpeting and window treatments. The cost was covered by the county’s fire insurance settlement and except for the deductible and a few miscellaneous expenses.  The insurance claim also covered most furnishings and contents.

The building was designed by Farewell Mills Gatsch Architects of Princeton and built by general contractor M&M Construction of Union with construction management by Epic Management of Piscataway. The interior furnishings were designed by Clarke Caton Hintz of Trenton.

“The recreation commissioners are proud to have helped guide this reconstruction to completion,” said Edward J. Loud, chairman of the county’s Board of Recreation Commissioners. “Thanks to the support and commitment from the Board of Chosen Freeholders, county and park staff, the contractors and our park patrons the Thompson mansion continues to be part of the county’s history.”

Operating hours for the Visitor Center will be Monday – Friday 8am -4:30 pm and weekends 10am-4pm. For public convenience, the restroom area will remain open during normal park hours. Thompson Park is open 8 a.m. to dusk every day of the year. 

For more information, please visit the Park System online at www.monmouthcountyparks.com or call 732-842-4000, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4pm. For people with hearing or speech impairment, the TDD/TTY number is 711.

#     #     #