Early September is a great time of year to enjoy the magnificent gardens of Bannerman Island and witness the migration of Monarch butterflies. For the past 20 years, Bannerman Island Garden volunteers have worked to restore the original gardens that Francis Bannerman VI and his wife Helen had designed between 1900-1918. As a result, Bannerman Island is now a certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation.  

Attendees will enjoy a short Hudson River cruise aboard the BCT’s tour boat the Estuary Steward, leaving from the Beacon, NY dock directly across from the Beacon Metro North Train Station. There are two boat departures for the island on Butterfly Day, the first boat leaves Beacon at 11:00am and returns to Beacon at 1:30pm, the second boat leaves at 12:00 noon, returning at 2:30pm.

Upon arrival at the island, guests will be given a tour of the island’s spectacular gardens and restored terraces to witness the Monarchs and other butterflies in action and enjoy a talk by Butterfly experts.  Light refreshments will be served. 

Special guest and artist Kathleen Griffin who is currently working on a sculptural installation piece for Bannerman Island called “The Butterflies of Memory,” will be introduced. One of Griffin’s newly created Butterfly sculptures will be on view on Butterfly Day. The complete work will be fully installed on the island in 2026.   

Tickets are available in link below or by calling the Bannerman Castle Trust Office at 845-831-1001 or BCT Executive Director Neil Caplan directly at 845-440-3318.  Ticket price is $45 per person.  Group rates are available for 10 people or more.  All proceeds from this event will help with further restoration and garden projects on Bannerman’s Island.