Francis Bannerman IV was an ammunition dealer from Dundee, Scotland. He and his family purchased what became known as Bannerman’s Island in 1900, and built a Scottish style castle and residence to house his wares and serve has a home for his wife and children. The ornate buildings were a jewel on the Hudson until Bannerman died in 1918, and the island became disused. Storms, a gunpowder explosion in the 1920s and a fire in 1969 left the castle in ruins.
Since 1993, the Bannerman Castle Trust has helped to preserve the architectural gem, which suffered more wreckage after storms in 2009 and 2010. More recently, Tiny Houses has begun construction on the island to reinforce existing walls, and to stabilize the buildings. The group hopes to raise enough money to transform the abandoned former home of the Bannermans into a visitor center.
The island already hosts visitor activities, such as kayak trips, hiking, and performances but the Bannerman Castle Trust hopes to extend their programming and invite even more visitors to escape New York City for a day or weekend. In 2014, they hope to offer camping programs and concerts, creating an idyllic getaway just 60 miles from Manhattan.
Via Arch Paper
All images ©Bannerman Castle Trust Facebook
