A Castle On The Hudson
Tours to Bannerman Island leave from Beacon’s waterfront during May to October.
New York City visitors to Beacon know there’s good reason to take the train here. Not only is it ridiculously convenient to hop on at Grand Central to get to one of America’s most walkable cities, it’s also an opportunity to take in spectacular Hudson River views along the way.
On the journey, an enigmatic ruin on an island in the middle of the Hudson comes into view between Cold Spring and Beacon. Pollepel Island—also known as Bannerman Island— is home to the crumbling yet still majestic Bannerman Castle. Spring, summer, and fall visitors to Beacon and the Hudson Highlands should add an extra day to their trip to explore this unique spot. Conveniently, a guided tour leaves from Beacon’s waterfront on weekends from May through October, and sometimes later in the year, weather permitting.
One of the many stunning Hudson Highlands’ views from Bannerman Island.
Bannerman Castle was built in the early 1900s by a colorful character named Francis (Frank) Bannerman VI, a military supplies entrepreneur who needed a safe place to store the surplus military equipment—including volatile black powder—he’d bought from the government after the Spanish American Civil War ended in 1898. Born in Scotland before coming to Brooklyn, NY as a child, Bannerman wanted the facility to resemble a Scottish Castle, so he decided to design the dramatic, fairytale-like structure himself.
In 1901, Bannerman set about building the Bannerman Island complex, which was eventually completed in 1918. Bannerman didn’t consider himself a man of war. In fact, he seems to have harbored hopes for a conflict-free world. Hanging on the wall of the Bannerman Island Gallery at 150 Main Street is a quote from him that says: “My greatest wish is there would come a day when weapons are no longer considered necessary, and my military supply store and museum could become known instead as a Museum of Lost Arts.”
The business passed to his sons after Bannerman’s death in 1918. Meanwhile, the family continued to visit the island at the weekends, staying in the summer residence. The ominous black powder house exploded just two years later in 1920—with such force that it could be heard as far north as Poughkeepsie. It was destroyed. Despite this, the family continued to visit the summer residence up until the 1940s. The Bannerman Island Trust describes the period of the 1920s to 1959 as a “white elephant” for the family. Consequently, the business closed in 1959 and eventually the Jackson Hole Preserve, a Rockefeller Foundation, bought Pollepel Island in 1967 and incorporated it into the Hudson Highlands State Park. Sadly, in 1969, another fire destroyed the Bannerman Castle arsenal buildings, leaving the shell. A year later, a fire at the family residence destroyed all the floors and roof. Consequently, the island was deemed dangerous and was closed. Luckily for us, this wasn’t the end of the story for the Island or Bannerman Castle. The island remained closed until 2004 when The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. a friends’ group for NY State Parks, opened the island for public tours. The arsenal has never been opened to the general public.
A Man on a Preservation Mission
At the Howland Cultural Center’s Annual Gala on May 2025, Neil Caplan, Executive Director and founder of the Bannerman Castle Trust, was honored for his tireless 30-year mission to save Bannerman Island from further ruin. He was lauded for his leadership in transforming it into a vibrant seasonal hub for the arts.
Caplan had discovered the castle and island in 1992 by pure chance after a friend gave him a book called Day Hops to the Hudson Valley. A drawing of Bannerman Island in the book captured Caplan’s imagination. He and his wife, Darlene, had been scouting the region for a potential spot to open a theater space at the time, and the Island seemed like a perfect fit: a beautiful setting and a storied history marked by ambition, fire, and abandonment.
Undeterred by New York State Parks’ assessment of the island as “forever wild,” Caplan embarked on a campaign to change its status and open it as a cultural site. “We came up from Brooklyn every other weekend and went to 19 different legislatures across the Hudson Valley to get resolutions to change the status,” Caplan shared at the Howland’s Gala.
A 30-Year Journey
Neil Kaplan, Executive Director and founder, with board director, Virginia Donovan.
At the Howland Cultural Center’s Annual Gala on May 2025, Neil Caplan, Executive Director and founder of the Bannerman Castle Trust, was honored for his tireless 30-year mission to save Bannerman Island from further ruin. He was lauded for his leadership in transforming it into a vibrant seasonal hub for the arts.
Caplan had discovered the castle and island in 1992 by pure chance after a friend gave him a book called Day Hops to the Hudson Valley. A drawing of Bannerman Island in the book captured Caplan’s imagination. He and his wife, Darlene, had been scouting the region for a potential spot to open a theater space at the time, and the Island seemed like a perfect fit: a beautiful setting and a storied history marked by ambition, fire, and abandonment.
Undeterred by New York State Parks’ assessment of the island as “forever wild,” Caplan embarked on a campaign to change its status and open it as a cultural site. “We came up from Brooklyn every other weekend and went to 19 different legislatures across the Hudson Valley to get resolutions to change the status,” Caplan shared at the Howland’s Gala.
Over the past 30 years—with the support and passion of Bannerman Island advocates including Jane Campbell Bannerman, the builder’s granddaughter-in-law, and Virginia Donovan, whose mother spent a year working on the island in 1934 to pay her way through college—Caplan, his team at the Trust, and many dedicated volunteers have secured access to Bannerman Island for generations to come.
The site is now open to the public six months of the year—for guided tours, kayak tours, theater events, concerts, movie nights, art shows, environmental programs, and themed fundraising dinners. It’s more than just an arts destination, it’s also a must-see for nature lovers with its more than 30 pollinator gardens. Plus, anyone planning an intimate wedding—40 people or under—might want to consider this unique spot for their day to remember.
Everything You Need to Know About What’s on at Bannerman Island This Season
The Selkirk Grace in the recently restored dining room in the Bannerman family residence.
Dinner on the Hudson
Centered on the wall in the dining room of the Bannerman’s family residence is The Selkirk Grace by Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns (1759 – 1796), giving thanks for the meal that’s about to be eaten. In a nod to Frank Bannerman’s love of Burns, the Bannerman Island Trust is hosting its First Annual Burns Supper on Friday, July 25th this year, complete with an optional curated whisky tasting. Tickets for their themed events go quickly, so be sure to book soon.
The Trust’s popular Annual Farm to Table Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 6th. Designed by Chef Noah Sheetz, expect each dinner event to feature food and décor in line with its theme. In May, diners dressed in their finest Edwardian garb enjoyed The Titanic Dinner, an epic recreation of the First-Class meal served on the Titanic on the night of its demise.
Enjoy Sunset and a Show
There are few sights more spectacular than a Hudson Valley sunset. With a packed schedule of programming at Bannerman Island this season, there’s plenty of opportunity to catch a sunset and a performance set against the stunning island backdrop.
Outdoor Theater
Highlights include Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s live performance of Julius Caesar from September 11th to 13th, and Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker by Jim Helsinger, featuring Duane Boutté, from September 23-28th.
Movies Under the Stars
Whether it’s date or family night, there’s a movie for everyone this season. Screenings this year feature Romeo & Juliet, starring Clare Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio, on June 6th, Hook, starring Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams, on June 20th, Disney’s Coco on July 5th, Raiders of the Lost Ark, starring Harrison Ford, on July 11th, and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure on August 8th. If an old school classic is more your scene, then book now for Now Voyager, starring Bette Davis and Claude Rains, on August 22nd, and Bride of Frankenstein, with Boris Karloff, on October 3rd.
Daytime Music
The Trust is hosting a Third Sunday Music Concerts featuring guitarist Tony DePaolo on July 29th, Darrell Brown & Lil’ Bones on August 17th, songwriter/guitarist Jim Rezac on September 21st , and indie folk duo Whispering Tree on October 19th. All concerts are free for visitors taking 11:00am and 12:30pm tours.
One for the Artists
The Annual Plein Air Paint-Out & Photography Day for artists will take place on Friday, October 3rd. The event will be followed by an exhibition of the original works at the Howland Cultural Center in early 2026. Plus, an exhibition featuring antiques, artifacts, and artwork focused on Bannerman Island and artwork by contemporary artists Virginia Donovan and Mary Ann Glass is currently displayed at the Bannerman Island Trust Gallery located at 150 Main St. in Beacon, NY.
A Home Fit for A Monarch
One of the many pollinator gardens, maintained by volunteers, on Bannerman Island.
The poster child of pollinators, the Monarch butterfly, is most active in the Hudson Valley in late August as it sets off on its long migratory journey. Bannerman Island is a certified Monarch butterfly waystation, and the Trust hosts an annual Butterfly Day, an educational event presented in collaboration with the Museum of the Hudson Highlands (Wednesday, August 20th.) In the future, Bannerman Island will be host to 17 golden butterflies by artist Kathleen Griffin, each with wings spanning 13 to 16 feet and created by Griffin to highlight the beautiful pollinator gardens of the island maintained by its dedicated volunteer teams. On Butterfly Day, Griffin will present the prototype for her project called The Butterflies of Memory, and is slated for 2026-2027.
For a complete schedule of all upcoming tours and events and tickets, visit http://www.bannermancastle.org.
This incredible island, castle, residence, and gardens are relics of the ambition and eccentricity of a bygone era, but they now also represent the dedication of a group of people who didn’t back down when faced with the monumental task of stabilizing and restoring this battered, historic place. There’s still more important work ahead for the Bannerman Island Trust. The organization was recently awarded an Environmental Protection Fund grant from New York Parks, Preservation and Historic Preservation which will help support a permanent stabilization project to secure the castle structures on the east side of the island. The preservation of the site is an ongoing labor of love that will take a village (or a city like Beacon) to achieve. If you’re interested in supporting the Bannerman Island Trust either as a volunteer, a donor, or a sponsor, find out how here.
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Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡