BANNERMAN CASTLE

For generations, boaters and train passengers have been mystified and intrigued by the sight of a castlelike structure looming in the Hudson River, near Fishkill. Thom’s presentation unveils the history of this site: an island arsenal, built to resemble a Scottish castle. The story begins in 1900, when Francis Bannerman VI purchased the island - officially Pollepel but later called Bannerman’s Island – for storing used military goods purchased from the government. A native of Scotland, Bannerman designed his arsenal based upon memories of majestic Scottish castles from his childhood. Through research and photographs, Thom will provide insight into the island’s rise as a glorious and unique landmark to its neglect and eventual decline. He serves as a guide for island tours and is a member of the Bannerman Castle Trust, which was founded in 1993 by Neil Caplan, Thom Johnson and other concerned individuals. The trust works with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to protect the island, now part of Hudson Highlands State Park.