Bannerman Island Gallery

The Bannerman Castle Trust, (BCT) and Bannerman Island Gallery located at 150 Main Street in Beacon, NY proudly present a special 30th Anniversary Exhibition and Celebration featuring artwork, photographs, antiques & artifacts from historic Bannerman Island and Castle that begins with a public opening reception on Saturday, September 14th from 4:00-6:00pm – all are welcome.

Did you know that the Bannerman Castle Trust organization has existed and operated as a not-for-profit “Friends” group comprised of dedicated volunteers and staff for over 30 years? Working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, the BCT has made incredible advances on Bannerman Island, taking it from an abandoned and over-grown island of historic ruins (dating back to 1900) to the incredible public destination it is today.

Since 1994, the BCT has been working to find resources and funding to stabilize the island’s historic structures and has made it their mission to educate the public on the value and history of Bannerman Island (originally known as Pollepel Island) to make it a safe and welcoming place for the public to enjoy as an educational, cultural, historical and recreational facility, promoting heritage tourism in the Hudson Valley.

It all began in 1992, when actor Neil Caplan noticed a drawing of Bannerman Castle by artist John Fleming Gould (1906-1996) in Dayhops to the Hudson Valley and was inspired by the mysterious island’s potential. Caplan began researching the island’s history and found that it once been claimed by the towns of both Cold Spring and Cornwall on Hudson, but was actually located in the Town of Fishkill, NY and currently owned by NYS Parks. He contacted the Parks office detailing the ideas he envisioned for the island but was told the island was currently off limits and was “forever wild.”

Neil was persistent and decided to start a campaign to “Save Bannerman Castle” and change the status of the island from a scenic ruin to a place that could be utilized for cultural programming. It would be a challenge – the island’s structures, originally designed and constructed by NYC military antiques dealer and amateur architect Francis “Frank” Bannerman VI, were abandoned and in great disrepair after a great fire took much of the castle structure in 1969.

Bannerman worked and resided on his island from 1900 until his death in 1918 and had built several structures including the iconic “folly” castle (arsenal) to store surplus militaria and a summer residence that resembled a small castle where he and his wife Helen Boyce Bannerman would stay during weekends and summer months away from their city residence at the Hotel Margaret in Brooklyn Heights. Bannerman’s restored roll-top desk that that was gifted by Gordon Bannerman Colby and his wife Lilli will be featured in the show. 19th century paintings by artist Francis William Loring (found in the Bannerman residence) were donated by Jane Bannerman and will also be on exhibit.

The exhibition will also feature mentions and photos of the many people who helped in the formation of the BCT. In the early 1990’s Neil met photographer and educator Thom Johnson who had been a Bannerman Island enthusiast since the 1970’s, and Mrs. Charles S. Bannerman (Jane Campbell Bannerman) who was Frank Bannerman’s grand-daughter-in-law. Both Johnson’s and Jane Bannerman’s artwork will be included in the show. An accomplished artist, Jane loved Neil’s idea to use the island for theater and artistic endeavors and with the help of other early instrumental volunteers Susan Anderson, Dr. Sheila MacManus, Dutchess County Assemblyman John Ballo, Alison MacAvery, Robert McKenna, the Director of Housing and Community Renewal in Newburgh and Neil’s wife Darlene Swann, the BCT began its formation.

Neil worked diligently with Tom, Jane, NYS Parks and his new group of volunteers to legally form the Bannerman Castle Trust, which incorporated as a not-for-profit in 1994. They immediately began their quest to preserve, stabilize, and reimagine the island’s historic structures. During this time Governor George Pataki took office and appointed Bernadette Castro as the new Commissioner of The NYS Parks in 1995. Jane Bannerman’s doctor happened to be Commissioner Castro’s husband and Jane gave the doctor a copy of “The Story of Bannerman Island” to give to his wife. Commissioner Castro was intrigued and set up a meeting to discuss saving the island and in 2005, the Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. became the official “friends” organization for Bannerman Island and New York State Parks.

Caplan knew the castle and grounds needed to be stabilized and that it would be a long road to open the island to the public. With the newly formed Bannerman Castle Trust, the first cruise tours were given on the Roundout Belle. The following year, Hudson River Adventures worked with the BCT to bring Bannerman Island Cruises to the island to promote the BCT’s new mission. Along the way newly inspired volunteers joined the cause to Save Bannerman Island, including, Frederick Osborn III, Mike McCormack, Ilene Anderson, Dorrie Pappas, Virginia Donovan and her mother Evelyn Owen Palen, who had lived on the island with caretaker relatives in 1934.

In 2003, Developer John Lawrence built stairs to access the island and with the help of Jayne McLaughin, the Taconic Park Department Regional Director, the island opened to the public in 2004. In 2006, Donna Blakemore and Barbara Gottlock formed the Bannerman Volunteer Gardeners, who transformed the island’s grounds and restored the original gardens, and in 2009 West Point Cadet engineering students installed a gravity fed watering system on the island.

In 2011, the BCT stabilized the Bannerman residence called “The Big House” by the workers who lived on the island and in 2014 the castle tower was stabilized after losing two and a half of its walls in a collapse in 2010. In 2017, the West Point Cadets built the Bannerman Trail Bridge with the help of John and Melanie Lanc who provided the funding for the materials. The Cadets also helped to build two Clivus Multrum (restrooms) as a capstone project in 2019. Today renovations to the Bannerman residence (now a museum) and its beautiful terraces are ongoing. A new island pavilion was also erected in 2023 and a new observation deck was installed in 2024.

Finally, the BCT has fulfilled Neil Caplan’s original dream of presenting theater and other artistic programming on Bannerman Island. Today, the island is a source of inspiration, wonder and mystery to everyone who visits for a tour, hike, performance, movie night, concert, culinary event, art show or other special event. The BCT heartfully thanks the many dedicated volunteers, donors, sponsors, and visitors who have contributed over the years to help the BCT continue its ongoing mission to “save the historic castle and island.”

The exhibition will be on display through January 2025. Gallery hours are Sat.’s & Sun.’s from 12:00 noon to 5:00pm and most weekday afternoons by chance or appointment by calling 845-831-1001. The exhibition is FREE and open to the public, and group tours are also available. Additional 30th Anniversary programs include a special Community Accessibility Excursion to the island in October, and a High Tea & Talk with Executive Director Neil Caplan at Beacon’s Swann Inn on Sunday, September 29th, and an historical lecture by Bannerman Island Historian, Artist and Educator Thom Johnson.

Bannerman’s Island is accessible by the Estuary Steward Tour Boat, leaving the Beacon, NY Dock by reservation only from May – October each year. If you are interested in taking a tour of the island or in attending one of the BCT’s fabulous events, please visit www.bannermancastle.org for tickets. For more information on this event or on Bannerman’s Island, please call BCT Executive Director Neil Caplan directly at 845-440-3318.