Work starts on Hudson River castle island

POLLEPEL ISLAND — Stabilization work has begun on a Hudson River island dominated by the imperiled ruins of a high-walled castle. The turreted and crumbling walls of Bannerman’s Castle are well known to rail commuters who zip by the island off the river’s eastern shore. The castle is actually an old warehouse for military surplus items built early in the 20 century by Francis Bannerman VI, a Manhattan merchant who also built a weekend home on the island. The Bannerman Castle Trust said work began this month on a $286,000 project to shore up that weekend residence. The house on a high spot of land will get a new roof, flooring and a new staircase to the second floor. More ambitious and more expensive work to stabilize the castle walls can hopefully begin this year or next, after the residence is completed in eight to 10 weeks, said Neil Caplan, who runs the trust. “It’s very important to save what’s there,” he said. Caplan said the residence could be turned into an interpretive center. Bannerman Castle Trust formed in 1993 to turn the scenic ruin into an attraction complete with island tours in warmer months. Though the island is part of nearby Hudson Highlands State Park, the trust is responsible for raising money for its rehabilitation. The task was made more urgent in recent years after big chunks of the castle tumbled down. Caplan said the work is proceeding as quickly as possible, but he added that it has been difficult to raise money in a slow economy. “It’s such a huge project, you have to do it in sections,” he said. Bannerman family members continued to frequent the island for decades after Francis Bannerman died in 1918. The island was sold to New York state in 1967, two years before a fire gutted the castle.