Portland Place

Portland Place, the 18th century home of the prominent Hartshorne family, was once the center of a large working farm. The property, including a 19th century Carriage House, was donated to the Monmouth County Park System in 2008, becoming part of the adjacent Hartshorne Woods Park. The rambling wood framed house overlooks the Navesink River, and will be utilized by the County primarily as a house museum, restored and interpreted to the early 20th century.

Mills + Schnoering Architects is working with the Monmouth County Park System to restore both the Main House and Carriage House. Building on the work of an earlier Historic Structure Report, the team is providing additional structural and conservation research, including both paint and mortar analysis.

Half of the first floor is designed to provide for meeting and service space, and the balance is restored to reflect the use of the property as a summer home in the early 20th century, including the minimal climate control. At the second floor, the primary bedrooms are part of the interpreted space, while less significant rooms are rehabilitated for year-round use as staff offices. The Carriage House provides office space for maintenance staff, as well as storage and utility spaces.