Bannerman Spring Newsletter is Here!

THE BANNER
Newsletter Spring 2021

BANNERMAN CASTLE TRUST COMPLETES 2019
PARKS AND TRAILS GRANT
The BCT would like to thank Parks and Trails New York for providing us with a grant for $63,000 to replace the cement sidewalks around the Bannerman Residence and the North Trail. The BCT matched the grant with $7,000. The masonry work was done by Aric Morgan of Masonry Plus. The walkways were replaced in two phases, with the first in September 2020 and the second phase being completed in April 2021.

Thank you again to Parks and Trails New York for supporting us with this grant and all the work they do for New York State Parks.

BANNERMAN ISLAND OPENS ON MAY 1, 2021
Discover the Mystery, Explore the History of
Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island!

BOOK YOUR TOUR ONLINE AT
BannermanCastle.org

BCT SEEKS $75,000 FUNDING FROM PARKS AND TRAILS NY FOR A NEW STUDY TO FURTHER THE STABILIZATION OF THE CASTLE STRUCTURES AND TO INSTALL AMPHITHEATER

The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. (BCT) is a not-for-profit “Friends” organization of volunteers working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to preserve the historic Bannerman Castle warehouse and former residence structures on Pollepel Island (Bannerman’s Island) in the Hudson Highlands State Park. In addition to our preservation mission, we provide public access to the island from May to October of each year for interpretive tours, theater events, concerts, school outings, and special events using our tour vessel, the Estuary Steward. We raise funds through our tour and events admission fees, as well as through grants and donations, to maintain our passenger vessel, docks and access stairs, island walking trails, and restroom facilities and also to fund stabilization of the historic structures and buildings.

Since 2011, BCT has made significant progress with structural rehabilitation of the former Bannerman family summer residence, the smaller castle structure on the western side of the island. The residence is now open to the public and contains interpretive displays on the history of Pollepel Island. In addition, the terrace and lawns adjacent to the residence have been stabilized and used for concert and theatrical performances, in addition to summer and fall outdoor movie screenings. Notably, the BCT’s crew of volunteer gardeners have also rehabilitated and replanted historic garden beds on the island, significantly enhancing the tour experience.

Our objective with the current grant application is to obtain funding to retain architects and engineers to develop a feasibility report for the construction of an outdoor amphitheater adjacent to the historic castle structures to allow for an expansion of performing arts events on Pollepel Island, with associated stabilization of the castle structures themselves for potential additional performance/backstage/support areas.

The BCT is dedicated to bringing together resources and funding to continue to stabilize the historic structures and buildings on Pollepel Island (Bannerman’s Island). The BCT raises awareness and educates the public and government organizations on the value and history of the island. The Trust has worked with NY State Parks to make the island safe for volunteers and for the public so that it can be enjoyed as an educational, cultural, historical, and recreational facility, promoting heritage tourism in the Hudson Valley.

BCT has applied for a 2021 Parks and Trails Grant for up to $75,000 to create the study. We need to raise a 10% match of $7,500. However, there is no guarantee as to the amount we will receive, so we need to continue to raise funds. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

We would like to thank you for your continued support.

-Leonard Warner, BCT President

PLEASE DONATE

THE BANNERMAN CASTLE TRUST IS GROWING!

The Board of Directors would like to welcome three outstanding community leaders to our Advisory Council: Chereese Jarvis-Hill of Events to Remember, Susan Pagones of Antalek and Moore Insurance, and Robert Slater, owner of Robert Slater, CPA.
Learn more about our new Advisory Council members

KAYAK TO BANNERMAN ISLAND WITH
BCT PARTNERS
STORM KING ADVENTURE TOURS

Book a Kayak Tour to Bannerman Island

Hudson Views provides mid-week guided boat tours of Bannerman’s Island for up to 6 adventurous people. Licensed Captain Rob Doyle exposes your senses to the beauty and history of the island while providing a memorable experience cruising on the Hudson River on his New 2021 Monterey M4 24’ boat. (Now Booking 3 hour tours for July onward. Pick up Beacon or Newburgh)”

845-224-3151

COMING THIS YEAR!
Check Our New Bannerman
Artifact Exhibit
by BCT Collector Mike Vashen

The Bannerman Residence will feature an exciting new exhibit this tour season. Volunteer members of Local Union 373 Plumbers & Steamfitters will be offering their services yet again with the design, construction, and arrangement of display cases to house military surplus items sold in the Bannerman catalogs. These antiques—on loan from Mike Vashen’s relic collection—have been selected to represent the various types of goods that were stored in the island’s Arsenal and sold at 501 Broadway, as well as through the mail. It will be a unique addition for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
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BANNERMAN ISLAND GALLERY
150 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508

2021 Proposed Schedule

Bannerman Island Paint-Out
Saturday, June 5th
Fine Art Paintings of the Hudson River and Bannerman’s Island
Opening in the Gallery, Second Saturday, Saturday, June 12th
through Sunday, September 5th

Garden and Harvest Exhibition
Featuring Fine Artworks of Gardens, Flowers and Vegetables
Opening Second Saturday, September 11th
through Saturday, November 7th

Bannerman Island Gallery Holiday Exhibitions
Open theme show for the holidays
Opening Second Saturday, November 13th through Winter 2022

The Bannerman Island Gallery
Open on Saturdays and Sundays from
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

By appointment or chance
during the week.

For information contact:
Laurie Clark

845.831.6346

Bannerman Island Chefs Dinner
September 4th, 2021
Join Chef Noah Sheetz and the Bannerman Castle Trust for our 11th Annual Farm Fresh Chef’s Dinner on Bannerman Island.

Enjoy a five-course meal, a chance to purchase a fantastic piece of art, while helping the BCT raise funds for the preservation of Bannerman Island.

Musicians Judith Tulloch and Tony DePaolo will perform.

BCT Executive Director Neil Caplan and the Chef’s Consortium celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Chef’s Consortium in 2019

Photo by L.A. Clark

Third Sunday Music Tours 2021
Sponsored by
Mark and Sue Adams

Don’t miss our Third Sunday Music Concerts
and Self Guided Tours

The BCT is pleased that we can present these concerts safely this summer. This year we welcome new musicians Daryl Brown and SWP, and special guests from The Daisy Jopling Music Mentorship Foundation: Klettner Bros., and Josie and Nico. Both performed last September as opening acts for the Daisy Jopling Band in Illuminance on Bannerman Island.

May 16
Storm King Duo
Judith Tulloch & Steve Franchino

June 20
SWP Classic Rock
Daryl Brown

July 18
Klettner Brothers
Joseph and Anton Klettner
violin, accordion, & guitar

August 15
Toland Brothers
with special guest Alison Jolicoeur

September 19
Thistle
harpist & singer

October 17
Josie & Nico
Guitar & Sax

Purchase Tickets Here

We Bannerman Castle Trust Would like to Welcome Molly Foley as our New Tour Guide and Volunteer Coordinator

Molly has worked with the Bannerman Castle Trust as a tour guide for the last five years. Molly is one of the best guides and will continue to be a guide while she coordinates the guides and volunteers..

Congratulations to Molly and thank you for doing a great job on Bannerman Island

Now Hiring Tour Guides and a Concession Stand Manager.

Looking for a rewarding seasonal position? The Bannerman Castle Trust is looking for additional people to work as Tour Guides. We are also looking for a person to manage our gift shop concession stand.

This is a part-time position to work on weekends and on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday evenings.

Great job for teachers, actors, and seniors.

For information call 845-831-6346.

Purchase Tickets Here

2021 Bannerman Island Movie Night
Sponsored by Showtime Cinema of Newburgh
Tickets go on sale June 1st

AUGUST 20th

Movies are presented under a licensing agreement with
SWANK
MOTION PICTURES
SPONSORS
2021
We are planning two more movies and would like to ask you which out of the following movies you would like to see?
Pick any two.