3. Pollepel Island
Figure 2 New York State Map
Note. From Google Images
•Located on the Hudson River in the Hudson Highland region
•Mysterious Island historically feared by the Native Americans
and Dutch explorers for being haunted
4. Pollepel Island History
Figure 3 Site Location Map
Note. From mapquest
American Revolution: chevaux de fries (1777)
5. Pollepel Island History
Figure 4 Pollepel Arial Image
Note. From Google Earth
The most significant point on the island today is the
Bannerman Castle Complex
6. Bannerman Castle History
Figure 5 Bannerman Island Sketch (1901-1905)
Note. By Thom Johnson
1901- 1905: Construction began modestly for a new
arsenal location for Bannerman’s arms business
7. Bannerman Castle History
Figure 6 Bannerman Island Sketch (1905-1908)
Note. By Thom Johnson
1905-1908: Bannerman’s business thrived and construction
continued on the complex, without the aid of Architects,
Engineers or Planners
8. Bannerman Castle History
Figure 7 Bannerman Island Sketch (1908-1910) Figure 8 Bannerman Island Sketch (1910-1915)
Note. By Thom Johnson Note. By Thom Johnson
Construction continued until Bannerman’s death in 1918
9. Bannerman Castle Complex
•Castle
•Arsenal I
•Arsenal II
•Arsenal III
•Tower
•Harbor
•Residence
•Powder House
Figure 9 Bannerman Island Sketch (1915-1918)
Note. By Thom Johnson
10. Bannerman Island Arsenal
Due to the fact that Bannerman Island is a historically significant site,
no artifacts were taken. The island used to be full of military related
artifacts and collectables but since it was shutdown, all existing arms
given to the Smithsonian Institute. Below are pages from the
Bannerman’s business catalog (1927 ed. replica)
11. Bannerman Castle History
•The island was eventually
abandoned in the 1950’s and was
purchased by New York State 1967
•No less than two years later on
August 8, 1969 a raging fire of
Figure 10 Bannerman Castle
suspicious and unknown origin
Note. From The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc.
broke out for almost three days and
destroyed all the buildings.
•Off limits
•Left to deteriorate
Figure 11 Bannerman Castle
Note. From The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc.
12. Bannerman Castle Trust
•Castle Trust (1992):
•Preserve the Island
•Limited Access tours (2002)
•Promote public interest
•Stabilize existing structures
•Formulating a master plan
Figure 12 Harbor Wall Remains
Note. From The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc.
13. Site Plan
No existing documentation aside from Bannerman’s original napkin sketches (located at the
Hagley museum in Delaware) was available, since the complex was planned without the aid
of architects, planners, or engineers. No construction has been done since Bannerman’s
death in 1918. This site plan of the 6.5 acre island was developed using online resources.
14. Site Visit
Bannerman Island Hardhat Tour aboard the Pollepel
Date: September 30, 2006
Time: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Party: Joseph Thompson, Gary Thompson & Joseph Minuta, AIA
Tour Guide: Thom Johnson, Bannerman Castle Trustee
View of Island in distance from the Newburgh Marina
15. Site Visit: Photos
View of Island from inside the Pollepel
First View of Castle upon landing Only currently accessible route onto the island
16. Site Visit: Photos
Pillars on the approach to the castle
Sitting area with historic compass engraving View of Bannerman Castle
17. Site Visit: Photos
Path up to the Bannerman Residence
Natural Spring- No longer functional View of Bannerman Castle
18. Site Visit: Photos
Bannerman respected nature
Approach to the Bannerman Residence View of the Bannerman Residence
19. Site Visit: Photos
View of Bannerman Residence
View of the outhouse View of the Bannerman Residence
23. Existing Problems
•Limited Access to the Site
•Limited knowledge on Bannerman
Castle and its history
•Deteriorating structures are in severe
need of stabilization
•Island is in need of clean up and
reclamation efforts
•Limited uses and functions for the
island
Image provided by the Bannerman Castle Trust
24. Master Plan
•Preservation:
•Stabilize existing structures and reclaim the island
•Revitalization:
•Bring life and activity back onto the island
•Accessibility:
•Promote public use of the island by facilitating
access to it
•Sustainability:
•Create an environmentally friendly structure using
green technologies which will be a model for the
City of Newburgh’s own master plan
25. Master Plan
Figure 13 Bannerman Island Sketch (1915-1918)
Note. By Thom Johnson
•Currently reclaiming the island and improving pathways
26. Master Plan
Figure 13 Bannerman Island Sketch (1915-1918)
Note. By Thom Johnson
•Stabilize existing structures
27. Master Plan
Figure 13 Bannerman Island Sketch (1915-1918)
Note. By Thom Johnson
•Reconstruct existing Marina build a new welcoming center
to promote access to and use of the island
28. Master Plan
Figure 13 Bannerman Island Sketch (1915-1918)
Note. By Thom Johnson
•Rehabilitate the existing Bannerman residence
29. Master Plan
Figure 13 Bannerman Island Sketch (1915-1918)
Note. By Thom Johnson
•Rehabilitate Bannerman’s Castel into the “Museum of the
Lost Arts” to display Bannerman’s arms collections
30. Master Plan
Figure 13 Bannerman Island Sketch (1915-1918)
Note. By Thom Johnson
•Construction of a new Amphitheater for
performing arts events
31. Connectivity/ Accessibility
Increased accessibility to
Bannerman Island will be a
crucial factor to this
projects success.
Four main connection
points:
•Newburgh Waterfront
•Beacon Ferry Dock
•Cornwall Landing
•Cold Spring Harbor
32. Sustainability
This project also has
the potential to be an
example and a push for
Newburgh’s new
master plan, orientated
towards sustainable
living, currently in
development.
33. Visitor Center
A new Visitor Center will be
constructed in reverence to
the four main goals of the
Master Plan for the Island.
Its main functions will be:
•Orientation
•Educational/ Workshop
•Museum
•Banquet Hall
•Restaurant
35. Visitor’s Center Proposal I
Initial Proposal:
My initial proposal placed the new Visitor’s Center at a central location within the newly reconstructed marina walls. It is a separate
entity from the existing castle and is very conveniently located for visitors to access. It affords beautiful view of the castle and the
neighboring Hudson Highland Mountains.
38. Visitor’s Center Proposal II
Second Proposal:
This design proposes a structure more integrated with the island. The island will be accessed from two different points from visitors
approaching from the North (Newburgh & Beacon) and from the south (Cornwall & Cold Spring). The heart of the building is
located at the cross axis’ of both approaches. It begins to make unique relationships between itself and the existing castle and
residence.
41. Visitor’s Center Proposal III
Third Proposal:
This deign is formulated from a series of interrelating
axis’. It’s location and function remain the same as the
previous proposal but it becomes much more fluid and
sculptural in form. Much attention will need to be paid to
a conflict in hierarchy between the new structure and
Bannerman’s Castle.
43. Bannerman Castle
Fourth Proposal:
A new approach is taken to the function and
concept of the building. Aside from its
functional requirements, the buildings main
purpose is to create an experience for people
visiting the island. It also now focuses on its
relationship with Bannerman Castle more
heavily. A plaza space is designed from which
observers can fully appreciate the castle in its
full glory.
45. Conceptual Plans
Visitor’s Center:
The building consists of two
separate functions. The Reception
Hall for special events, and the
visitor’s orientation area for a
launch point for tours. A
restaurant, museum area, gallery
space, and gift shop are also part of
the building program.
48. Dungeon Entrance Experience
Main approach:
Visitors to the island will undergo a very controlled
and dramatic experience. After docking they will be
quickly ushered into the Visitor’s Center underground
dungeon-like level. The will be compressed down to
an almost uncomfortable level. The will not be
released until the journey to the plaza above is
complete. Once the arrive they will view the castle in
its full glory in a dramatic experience that will be
engrained in their minds forever.
49. Secondary Entrance Experience
Secondary Approach:
Visitor’s using the secondary entrance will also undergo a
controlled experience of the island. The will approach
and enter the Visitor’s Center from a long axis of
monumental stairs. Their view of the castle will be
shrouded the entire way as they are sheltered by a canopy
of trees around them. They will not be allowed to fully
experience the castle until reaching the plaza above.
Their experience will be of the same nature as those using
the island’s primary approach.
75. Projected Outcomes
•Preservation of a great historically and
architecturally significant site
•Promote the current efforts to restore
the Hudson River and the endangered
Newburgh Historical District to their
former glory.
•New cultural educational and historical
focal point for the Hudson Valley
•Generate new use and activity on
Bannerman Island, revitalizing it and
once again reconnecting it with the
Figure 14 Bannerman Castle
hudson Highland Communities
Note. From The Bannerman Castle Trust
76. References
Bannerman, J. Pollepel – an island steeped in history. The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc. Retrieved September
18, 2006, from www.bannermancastle.org/history.html
Chen, D. (1999, November 28). Long abandoned, an island on the hudson is restored.
The New York Times, p. 1.45. Retrieved September 18, 2006 from ProQuest database.
DePalma, A. (2005, September 22). An expert on the hudson seeks its revitalization.
The New York Times, p. B.1. Retrieved September 18, 2006 from ProQuest database.
Francis Bannerman Sons. Bannerman Catalogue of military goods: 1927. Northfield: DBI Books, Inc., 1980.
Hershenson, R. (2004, September 19). No princess sleeps in this castle. The
New York Times, p. 14WC.8. Retrieved September 18, 2006 from ProQuest
database.
Johnson, T., and Gottlock, B. Images of America: Bannerman Castle. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing, 2006.
Joyce, S. “Newburgh’s master plan is a model.” Times Herald Record. 22 Oct. 206, Sunday ed., p. 19.
Person, L. Bannerman island: A mystery island on the Hudson. hudsonriver.com.
Retrieved September 18, 2006, from www.hudsonriver.com/bannerman.htm
Powell, E. (2003, January/ February). Fortress on the hudson. Archaeology, 56(1). 32. Retrieved September
18, 2006 from Academic Search Premier database.
Rodell, S. (1996, January 20). Editorial notebook: Bannerman’s folly; a hudson island, haunted by goblins.
The New York Times, p. A.22. Retrieved September 18, 2006
from ProQuest database.
Shapley, D. (2004). Probe finds war relics in hudson. Naval History, 18(5), 57-58.
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