NJ’s Beloved 19th Century Castle Reopens After Years Of Renovations

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — An over-century-old castle in New Jersey is once again open to the public following years of “extensive” renovations.

The Lambert Castle, located in Paterson, has been getting a major facelift over the last four years, and residents and visitors alike are now shuffling in to take a look at the revamped landmark.

“This reopening represents an important moment for Passaic County,” said Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett. “Lambert Castle belongs to the public, and we are proud to welcome residents back to this extraordinary landmark… We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the Castle’s beauty, history, and the care that went into restoring it for future generations.”

The renovations were made possible thanks to Passaic County investments and grants from New Jersey Historic Trust, Friends of Passaic County Parks, Inc., and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program.

In an effort to “preserve its character while ensuring it can be enjoyed by the public for decades to come,” the castle underwent structural repairs, interior restoration, accessibility upgrades, and a new visitor center was added. Clarke Caton Hintz, a preservation architectural firm based in Trenton, led the restoration.

Lambert Castle, originally called Belle Vista, was built in 1892 for a silk manufacturer, Catholina Lambert, and his wife Isabella. In 1896, Lambert added an art gallery and observation tower, known as Lambert Tower.

Lambert lived in the home until his death in 1923, two years before his son sold it to the city of Paterson.

The structure first opened as a museum in 1934 before being listed on the New Jersey State Register of Historic Places in 1975, and eventually the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

In 2019, the castle was featured in the ghost hunting show “The Holzer Files” on the Travel Channel. Hosts said observations of full-body apparitions and ghostly weeping have been reported in the castle.

Nevertheless, believers and non-believers alike are once again able to explore the castle through tours offered by the Passaic County Department of Cultural & Historic Affairs.

The castle also offers several educational sessions, including an upcoming lecture on the Passaic Textile Strike on April 19.

Click here to buy tickets to Lambert Castle tours and events.