THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.
Landmarks, museums, cathedrals, and all the other highlights of Europe are on hold.
And that includes the castles.
Neuschwanstein, Windsor, Buckingham, The Alhambra, and Louis’s little weekend place outside of Paris are not receiving.
Even Carson is locking the doors at Downton.
So what can you do to fill that little royal need inside?
How about visiting some of America’s royal-like homes when things begin to open?
Magical Kingdoms may take a lot longer to get going again.
Hopefully, some of the smaller castles will be able to open their doors again quickly.
And they can probably use some support from us commoners.
Spanish (Castillo) Castle Inspired
There are Spanish buildings still standing in New Mexico dating from circa 1600 A.D. In New England, the pilgrims were just putting together modest wooden structures. So argumentatively, Spanish architecture was the first non-local architectural style to reach the United States.
Although none of these “castles” are dating from the early 1600s, they do exude Spanish influence.
This Spanish Colonial Revival, dating from 1919, will also include some Mediterranean Revival before building finishes in 1947. A weekend getaway for newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, it sits on a hill overlooking San Simeon, California. There are four buildings, 165 rooms and 127 acres of landscaping.
- Scotty’s Castle
This Spanish Style structure is more a con than a castle. Walter Scott, confidence-man, talks a couple into building this home in Death Valley National Park, California, in 1922.
Scott never owns or lives here, but his name sticks. A 2015 flash flood damages the house and area around it. Check the park website for reopening information.
Moroccan (Alcazar) Castle Inspired
This St Augustine Florida residence borrows inspiration from The Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Here, you can see Moorish arches, colorful tile work, quiet courtyards, and numerous water features.
Furnishings include a sultan’s divan, and a cat hair rug more than 2,300-years old. Today it is a museum.
German (Schloss) Castle Inspired.
Many a fairytale drawing pulls from the old German and Bavarian castles. And why not? These were in the backyards of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, brothers who would collect fairytales.
Although very few were from their imaginations, they would re-write them with a heavy Germanic tone and setting.
About a one-hour drive northwest of Austin, Texas, near Burnet, is a castle of Bavarian King Ludwig’s design. He was going to build his own Falkenstein after finishing Neuschwanstein. The Texas castle reflects the blueprints of that castle.
- Cinderella’s Castle
The story of Cinderella comes from the Brothers Grimm collection, so needless to say, her castle has a German look.
The Bavarian Neuschwanstein Castle first inspires Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in 1955 at Disneyland. However, the 1971 Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World, to me, captures more of Mad King Ludwig II’s whimsy.
Medieval
Although the term medieval refers to a time (middle ages), it seems many medieval remains today reflect German characteristics.
The former home of an archeologist circa 1912, this Medieval structure in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is today a museum.
By its completion, the castle includes Gothic and Byzantine architecture as well. Make reservations.
Building from the memory of growing up in England, this medieval creation began as a home and laboratory circa 1926.
Today it is a museum of various Roman, medieval and Renaissance-era pieces the original owner would find in Europe.
Another Texas castle sits about 90 minutes west of Houston. Here, a local baker takes the term “a man’s home is his castle,” seriously. This residence is a medieval castle with a moat and drawbridge.
Although a private home, tours, and public events take place. Click on their link for more information.
Danish (Slot) Castle Inspired
Denmark is the home of Kronborg (Elsinor) Castle and Shakespeare’s young prince who procrastinates. However, I do not feel the vibe from Kronborg, or Frederiksborg Castle in their American ancestors.
Not too far from Lake Tahoe, on Emerald Bay is this 38-room mansion of Scandinavian-inspiration. Interestingly, the original owner did not have a Scandanavian bone in her body but great love for Nordic treasures.
To reach the house, now in a state park, you need to hike or take a boat. Tours are available in the summer.
- Trube Castle
Dating from 1890, this Galveston Texas home has inspiration from the original owner’s homeland of Denmark. I get more of a Gothic meets Victorian vibe.
Whatever the style, this house measuring 7,000 square feet is still in the same family. Tours are available by appointment, and it is famous for events.
United Kingdom Castle Inspired.
With the influx of immigrants from the British Isles, it is not surprising structures are reflecting them.
England
This Tudor/Gothic mansion on the shores of American Lake in Washington state can not be any more English. It began in England as a manor 400 years before moving to America.
It includes gardens by The Olmsted step-brothers. The Olmsted family is responsible for influencing the design of America’s National Parks, and other major public works.
Their father, Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. designs a little park in central New York City. Read more on the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP)
Many universities have buildings that look like castles, but Arcadia University outside of Philadelphia has a castle. Now an administration building the structure began as the residence of a sugar refining magnate.
The current building, dating from 1893, is in the style of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England. The building is now a National Historic Landmark.
It is not the same as Grey Towers National Historic Site, also a castle that began as a private residence. It is in the French chateau-style.
Scotland
The 1000 islands (of salad dressing fame) sit between Canada and New York State in the St Lawrence River. On some of the islands (I know it’s coming, there are 1864) leaders of Industry build summer homes.
Calumet Castle (tobacco) Castle Rest (Pullman train cars) and many others have their private islands. Unfortunately, most of these are no longer.
The Bourne family builds their summer retreat around 1905 and call it “The Towers”. The design is in the style of Scotland’s Woodstock Castle.
The name does not stick. Soon it is going by the name of the small sewing machine company where Mr. Borne is president.
Today, it is available for special events. You can also rent one wing of the house for a small group overnight.
On an island in the Hudson River, is a Scottish-style retreat dating from circa 1901. Unfortunately, the original owner from Dundee Scotland dies a few years later in 1918.
The house falls into disrepair, and a 1969 fire just about seals its fate. The Bannerman Castle Trust maintains the island and offers several programs to see the ruins.
Approximately 25 miles south of Denver is Sedalia, Colorado, and one of the newest castles on this list.
This grande house, dating from the 1950s, resembles a Scottish fortress from the 1400s. The main home sits on 3400 acres of private property.
Currently, tours of the main floor and its collections of fine art, furnishings, and other memorabilia take place. Reservations are necessary to access the property.
Ireland
The following structures all date from pre-1922 when the Republic of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom.
Railroad tycoon Harold Gould begins construction of a 100,000 square-foot limestone replica of Ireland’s Kilkenny Castle in 1902. Luckily he has 216 acres on Long Islands North Shore so it just fits.
Before completion, his wife (rumor) decides she doesn’t like the look. It becomes the stables and servants quarters.
The replacement home for Gould Castle, this 50,000 square foot Tudor-style, is on the same estate. The Goulds never live here as they divorce in 1909 after she has an affair.
Next Gould sells the estate to mining magnate Daniel Guggenheim. Guggenheim changes the name to Hempstead House.
Finally, Guggenheim dies, and his wife builds Mille Fleurs, a smaller mansion on the same grounds.
Norman Inspired
This Charlevoix, Michigan location began as a model dairy farm in 1918. The castle and stone barns are similar to those in Normandy, France.
Currently, it serves as an event space, and tours are available.
Did you know the visitors Center for America’s most extensive museum collection, began as a resident?
Specifically, this Norman-style castle, dating from circa 1855, was the home and office of the museum’s first Secretary.
Italian Castello Castle Inspired
The Vanderbilt family “cottage” in Newport takes its inspiration from the Italian Renaissance palaces of 16th-century, Turin.
The small, 70-room mansion is open for tours. Likewise, many of the Newport cottages are.
Honorable Mention:
Hiding in the northern end of California’s Napa Valley is a 13th-century Tuscan castle. But it dates from the 1990s and its really a winery.
Although it is not a residential dwelling, it gets credit for using the same building techniques as medieval builders. (Within code.)
Currently, visitors can tour many of the 107 rooms, and taste the Italian-style wines they produce.
French Chateau Castle Inspired
Originating in Northern France in the 12th-century, Gothic architecture sweeps across Europe in castles and churches.
Originally the home of former New York City mayor William Paulding, the castle overlooks the Hudson River in Tarrytown. This 1838 Gothic Revival mansion is one of the finest in the nation.
Then by 1880, railroad tycoon Jay Gould owns it. It will remain in the Gould family until 1961.
Currently, tours of the house and art gallery are available, usually on weekends. The 67-acres of grounds are also open.
Gothic Romanesque
- Belvedere Castle
In the middle of New York’s Central Park is a Gothic castle. Except, it is not a castle or a palace. People do not live here, and there are no dragons or knights.
It is a “landmark” from 1865 to surprise park visitors during their walks. It does offer a nature observatory and great views over Central Park.
The 1928 home of Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn, is a Romanesque castle in Bryn-Athyn Pa.
Currently, it is a museum of religious art and history, including several objects from the family’s collection of medieval artifacts.
Castle Inspired Summary
Are these all the European castles in America? Hardly. But hopefully, it is getting your imagination to start stirring.
Unfortunately, you can not visit any of these castles or museums in person during the spring of 2020.
But you can vicariously on their web sites (orange links) Likewise, start planning your trip today.
In conclusion, you do not need a plane to travel today.
Read more about European Quality Museums in America,
Scroll down to the “Please Leave a Reply” section at the bottom. Please tell me your thoughts on:
“Did you ever dream of being in a castle?”
Please help me spread the news by rating, commenting, and sharing this blog below. – THANKS!
“See the World” Continued on Page T3. “Taste the World” Continued on T11.
I have never dreamt of living in a castle but I certainly enjoy paying a call to them. I am amazed how many grand estates exist in the United States. The San Simeon Hearst castle is at the top of my list, as well as the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.
For me, a true castle has to have a moat! Glad to see a couple of those today!
I didn’t see the HURST castle…??
“No-Count”–That’s definitely me! My castle dreams always involve singing mice. Is that weird?