Pollepel Island, more commonly known as Bannerman Island, officially kicked off the tour season on May 4, but members of the press were invited to visit the island, earlier last week, and see, first-hand, the progress of restoration efforts.
Last year, cadets from the United States Military Academy constructed a bridge replicating the one that was built in the early 1900s. The bridge connects to the other side of the island, leading to a peak that offers panoramic views of the Newburgh Beacon Bridge and the west bank in Newburgh, New Windsor, and Cornwall-on-Hudson.
For the first time last year, the residence was opened to the public. Ten years ago, the residence was just a shell with trees growing out of it. One could look through the structure, which was built in 1908, and see the other side.
With funding raised through tours, as well as the occasional grant and generous donations, restoration of the two-story building began.
The sun porch was rebuilt and the concrete redone. The arches have been replaced, but work is still being done on them this year. Inside the residence, the first floor was completely renovated and now offers visitors a glimpse back in time.
Walls are filled with murals, as well as a timeline showing the island’s history. Tourists can also see artifacts recovered from the island.
The presence of scaffolding is evidence that the restoration is continuing. Workers will repair the masonry and address the terrace, which offers spectacular views of West Point, Cold Spring, and Breakneck and Storm King Mountains.
A crew will also stabilize the three towers, which were once part of the breakwater system surrounding the island.
Discovery tours are being offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October. Regular tours depart from Beacon on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Tours depart at 11 a.m., on Sundays, from Newburgh.
For the first time, as a result of a grant, tours will be offered to schools. In addition to tours, the island is open for a variety of other events including concerts, theater productions, and movies. Eight movies and four theatrical productions are scheduled for the year.
On June 2, thirty artists will be invited to the island to paint. The paintings will then be part of a live auction the following weekend, at 150 Main St., Beacon.
For additional information and to make reservations, visit bannermancastle.org.
History of the island
The 6.5-acre island was formed during the last ice age. Native Americans feared the island, so its history begins in 1609 when it was discovered by the Dutch explorers and named Pollepel Island.
For the next 279 years, the island became a magnet for prostitutes and bootleggers until it was purchased in 1888 by Mary Taft of Cornwall.
She never lived on the island, but she was successful in getting rid of the riff raff.
In 1900, Francis Bannerman purchased the island for $1,600. Bannerman, one of the richest people in New York City, was known as the world’s largest purveyor of used military goods. His enormous inventory frightened those who lived in the city. The ammunition and other goods could blow up city blocks. Bannerman purchased the island in order to store his inventory.
He immediately set to work on the north end of the island, taking black powder and dynamite and blasting the land flat. Four arsenals were built to resemble Scottish Baronial and Belgian castles. It took 18 years for Bannerman to transport his entire inventory.
In 1918, Bannerman died, but his sons and grandsons continued to run the mail order business.
In the 1950s, the Bannerman family tried to sell the island, but had difficulty finding a buyer because of all the explosives. Someone was hired to begin removing them.
The search for a buyer continued to be difficult as the buildings fell into disrepair.
New York State eventually bought the island and made it part of the Hudson Highlands Parks Division of New York State Parks. The island remained closed to visitors, but teenagers ransacked the buildings and collectors stole what was left on the island.
In 1993, the Bannerman Island Trust, led by Neil Caplan, began restoring the dilapidated castle.
The island officially opened for tours 11 years later.
