The Bannerman Castle Trust has received a grant as part of a statewide effort to fund not-for-profit organizations involved with stewardship of historic sites, public lands, or state parks. The Trust has scheduled numerous fund-raiser events this summer, including theater performances, nighttime movies under the stars, farm to table dinners, and concerts, and island tours.
Bannerman’s Castle Trust is slated to receive $100,000 in state grants to hire a Development Officer. This individual will be tasked with evaluating, refining, and implementing the organization’s development activities. In particular, the goal will be to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors and prospects.
The funding is part of $900,000 in statewide grants to help raise private funds for projects, maintenance, beautification, educational programming, and to promote public use through hosting special events.
The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. is a not-for-profit “Friends” organization of volunteers working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Trust is dedicated to bringing together resources and funding to stabilize the buildings on Pollepel Island, located in the Hudson River offshore from Cornwall.
The Trust aims to raise awareness, educate the public and government organizations about the history, raise funds for repairing the island, creating a master plan, and eventually stabilize the structures on the island. The Trust is working to make the island safe for volunteers and for the public to enjoy the island as an educational, cultural, historical and recreational facility promoting heritage tourism in the Hudson Valley.
The Trust is continuing their attempts to raise funds to stabilize and prevent further damage to the castle ruins. The castle and nearby residence were built in 1901 and were used as an arsenal during World War I. A fire destroyed part of the castle in 1969 and weather has taken a toll on both buildings. The castle and residence still remain standing.
Attending an event at Bannerman Castle is one way to support the preservation efforts of Bannerman Island. There are numerous events scheduled to be held on Bannerman Island this summer, including:
- Ongoing tours of the island every Saturday and Sunday. A boat to the island and guided walking tour is $40/adult, $35/child. A kayak to the island and guided walking tour is $100 per person. Provide your own transportation to the island and take a self-guided tour for $40 per person.
- June 19, 2022 – Concert – “The Wild Irish Roses”. This is a Celtic music family band consisting of a mother, father, and their 8 kids from New Paltz, NY. The event includes a self-guided tour of the island and live music. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for children.
- June 24, 2022 – Movie night – Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”. The first boat departs the Beacon waterfront at 6:00pm and will include a tour of the island. The second boat departs at 7:00pm and includes a lecture about the island. There is one showing of this movie once it gets dark. A concession stand with beverages, snacks, candy and popcorn will be available. Tickets are $40 per person.
- July 1, 2022 – Movie night – “The Princess Bride”. The first boat departs the Beacon waterfront at 6:00pm and will include a tour of the island. The second boat departs at 7:00pm and includes a lecture about the island. There is one showing of this movie once it gets dark. A concession stand with beverages, snacks, candy and popcorn will be available. Tickets are $40 per person.
- July 2, 2022 – Dinner and a play – “Heroes, Monsters & Madmen”. A dinner event with a show will be held on the island. Enjoy an afternoon of Hudson Valley farm fresh cuisine – a five course meal prepared by The Chefs’ Consortium. Broadway veteran Craig Schulman will perform a tour of Broadway’s Tour-de-Force Roles at this event. The event includes the boat ride on the Estuary Steward Tour Boat, the dinner, island walks and the show. For tickets, book online or call Executive Director Neil Caplan directly at 845-831-6346. Tickets are $165 per person.
- July 15, 2022 – Movie night – “National Lampoon’s Animal House”. The first boat departs the Beacon waterfront at 6:30pm and will include a tour of the island. The second boat departs at 7:30pm and includes a lecture about the island. There is one showing of this movie once it gets dark. A concession stand with beverages, snacks, candy and popcorn will be available. Tickets are $40 per person.
- July 17, 2022 – Concert – “The Flash Company Band”. This is a Celtic folk mix style music with 18th Century tunes. The event includes a self-guided tour of the island and live music. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for children.
- July 21 – July 24, 2022 – Play – “Scotland Road” – Afternoon performances of the award-winning play Scotland Road by Jefferey Hatcher will be held on the island. Each performance will be directed by Neil Caplan. The play depicts a 20th Century woman found floating on an iceberg in the North Atlantic who only speaks one word: “Titanic.” Tickets are $65 per person.
- July 23, 2022 – Dinner and a play – “Titanic First Class Dinner” – Held at the Bannerman Residence Terrace overlooking the Hudson River on the island, this event will recreate the first-class dinner menu that was served on-board the Titanic on April 14, 1912. Five notable Hudson Valley chefs, including The Chef’s Consortium former director Noah Sheetz, will provide an 11-course meal based on an original menu that was recovered from the ship. The meal will include wine and will be served on a reproduction of china used on the Titanic. Each guest will take home their plate as a souvenir. The evening will be topped off with the aforementioned “Scotland Road” play. Tickets are $250 per person.
- August 5, 2022 – Movie night – “The Big Lebowski”. The first boat departs the Beacon waterfront at 6:30pm and will include a tour of the island. The second boat departs at 7:30pm and includes a lecture about the island. There is one showing of this movie once it gets dark. A concession stand with beverages, snacks, candy and popcorn will be available. Tickets are $40 per person.
- August 19, 2022 – Movie night – “Madame X”. The first boat departs the Beacon waterfront at 6:30pm and will include a tour of the island. The second boat departs at 7:30pm and includes a lecture about the island. There is one showing of this movie once it gets dark. A concession stand with beverages, snacks, candy and popcorn will be available. Tickets are $40 per person.
- August 21, 2022 – Concert – Tony DePaolo. He has a 30 year professional career as a guitarist. The event includes a self-guided tour of the island and live music. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for children.
- August 24, 2022 – Butterfly Day Tour – The Museum of the Hudson Highlands will present a talk about the monarch butterflies who enjoy a way-station on Bannerman Island. This event includes a self-guided walking tour of Bannerman Island. Tickets are $45 per person.
- September 2, 2022 – Movie night – “Little Shop of Horrors”. The first boat departs the Beacon waterfront at 5:00pm and will include a tour of the island. The second boat departs at 6:00pm and includes a lecture about the island. There is one showing of this movie once it gets dark. A concession stand with beverages, snacks, candy and popcorn will be available. Tickets are $40 per person.
- September 15 – September 18, 2022 – Play – “Dracula” – An after-dark show, this will be held on the island by Theater on the Road. This is based on the original Broadway production that premiered in 1927, during which era the island was actively lived on. Tickets are $65 per person.
- September 18, 2022 – Concert – “Storm King Duo”. This includes a blend of pop, Brazilian, and bluesy jazz styles with vocals, acoustic guitar, and flutes. The event includes a self-guided tour of the island and live music. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for children.
- September 23, 2022 – Movie night – “Young Frankenstein”. The first boat departs the Beacon waterfront at 5:00pm and will include a tour of the island. The second boat departs at 6:00pm and includes a lecture about the island. There is one showing of this movie once it gets dark. A concession stand with beverages, snacks, candy and popcorn will be available. Tickets are $40 per person.
- September 30, 2022 – Movie night – “Hunchback of Notre Dame”. The first boat departs the Beacon waterfront at 5:00pm and will include a tour of the island. The second boat departs at 6:00pm and includes a lecture about the island. There is one showing of this movie once it gets dark. A concession stand with beverages, snacks, candy and popcorn will be available. Tickets are $40 per person.
- October 16, 2022 – Concert – Goldee Green. She is an acclaimed international vocal artist, pianist and actress, The event includes a self-guided tour of the island and live music. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for children.
For more information on events on the island, as well as how to donate, visit their website at https://bannermancastle.org
