Bannerman Castle further crumbles
What happens as history crumbles and state officials and volunteer preservationists can’t raise the $20 million or so needed to stabilize it? The result can be viewed in the Bannerman Island tower, which is now a significantly smaller structure after a partial collapse over the Christmas Holidays.
The simulated Scottish castle was built in 1901 on an island in the Hudson River by Francis Bannerman to store ammunition and other equipment from his military surplus business. A house and other structures and expansive gardens were also built there, on what is officially Pollopel Island but has become commonly known as Bannerman Island.
Preservationists, though dismayed, have not given up on saving the castle. The Bannerman Castle Trust “is trying to get the right people in place and pool resources to get the tower stabilized,” said Neil Caplan, the group’s executive director.
The extent of the collapse and the condition of what the state parks department classifies as a “scenic ruin” have not been assessed due to the winter conditions of the island and on the river, said parks department spokesman Dan Keefe. He said there are no current plans for state parks funding to stabilize the structure, and added the parks department has a $700 million backlog of infrastructure projects that need attention.
The state parks’ coffers have never had any money for the castle, said Caplan, which is why the trust has been fundraising. He said the next step is to apply this month for status as one of the 11 most-endangered historic structures nationally, a designation, he said, that brings attention and perhaps an upswing in funds for preservation.
“We haven’t been able to do an assessment,” said Caplan. “But as far as the trust is concerned, we will do what we can with it. But until you can get to the island and there is not ice so you won’t kill yourself, it if very difficult to assess.”
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