Boldt Castle
From LoveToKnow Interior Design
Boldt Castle, in New York's Thousand Islands region, was a testament to George Boldt's love for his much younger wife. The 250-acre estate sits on two islands and contains the six-story "castle" as well as a huge yacht house, golf course, and tennis courts. Sadly, construction was halted before the castle was complete due to the untimely death of Mrs. Boldt. Today, the property has been restored and visitors can tour the house and the extensive grounds.
History
George Boldt, who had amassed a fortune by the turn of the (20th) century investing in and developing property, such as Philadelphia's Bellevue Hotel, was the proprietor of New York's luxurious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The Boldts had enjoyed summers in the Thousand Islands region of New York and Mr. Boldt decided to build a castle there as a summer home and present for his wife.
Construction on the estate began in 1900. The plans called for a six-story mansion with 120 rooms, tunnels, a powerhouse, a drawbridge, and even a dove cote. Three hundred workers toiled on the project. In 1904, as the mansion was nearing completion, the workers received a telegram from Mr. Boldt, ceasing operations. Mrs. Boldt had died suddenly, just shy of her 42nd birthday, and George Boldt never returned to the property.
The estate sat idle for over 70 years under it was turned over to the Thousands Islands Bridge Authority, who spent millions restoring the property. The restoration continues to this day.
The House
The main house at Boldt Castle was designed by the popular Gilded Age architectural firm of W.D. Hewitt and G.W. Hewitt. The house was to have 120 rooms and was modeled after a Rhineland Castle. The interior was to have the finest in European craftsmanship, including carved moldings, lots of Italian marble, and leaded glass windows.
Today, just the first two floors of the manor house have been restored. The ground floor is furnished, with some original items and others of the period. The second floor is unfurnished and gives an eerie sense of a dream left unfulfilled.
The Grounds and Gardens
The grounds of Heart Island and the adjacent Yacht House island were once home to tennis courts, a golf course, stables, the dove cote, and a polo field. In addition, there is a stone powerhouse and Alster Tower, the Boldts' home during the construction and the site of the billiard room, library, and kitchen.
Visiting Boldt Castle
Boldt Castle is located on an island in the St. Lawrence River, north of Watertown and Alexandria Bay, New York. The island is accessible by ferry from Alexandria Bay or from Rockport and Ivy Lea, Ontario Canada. A complimentary ferry connects Heart Island with the Yacht House.
The castle is open daily from May 13 to October 9 and on Saturdays throughout the month of October. Hours vary. The Yacht House is open daily from May 20 to October 1.
Admission to the castle is $5.75 for adults and $3.50 for children 6-12. A separate admission is charged for the yacht house. It is $3 for adults and $2 for children 6-12.
Boldt Castle is available to rent for private parties and weddings. See the official website for details.
Contact Information
Thousand Islands Bridge Authority
Boldt Castle
PO Box 428
Collins Landing
Alexandria Bay, New York 13607
Toll Free: 800-847-5263
In Season: 315-482-9724
Off Season: 315-482-2501
Official Site
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