About
Bannerman Castle is the ruined arsenal on Pollepel Island in the Hudson River, between Beacon and Cold Spring. It's one of the most photographed sights on the river and a memorable half-day trip from Beacon.
The Story
Military-surplus dealer Francis Bannerman VI, who was born in Scotland and grew up in Brooklyn, built the castle and its outbuildings between 1900 and 1918 to store his collection away from New York City. Long before that, the island had legends of its own, including the tale of Polly Pell, rescued from the river ice, who gave Pollepel its name. During the Revolution, the river beside it was part of an attempt to block the British fleet with sunken chevaux-de-frise.
The Island Today
The island is part of Hudson Highlands State Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since 1994, the volunteer Bannerman Castle Trust has worked with New York State Parks to stabilize the ruins, and it opened the island to public tours in 2004. Visitors see restored gardens and terraces, the Bannerman summer residence, now a small museum, and views of the Hudson River fjord.
Visiting
Tours run seasonally from the Beacon dock across from the Metro-North station and must be booked online in advance. The 2026 season has ended, and 2027 tickets go on sale in January.
Address
Pollepel Island, Beacon, NY 12508