Bannerman Island's Majestic Grotto Completed With Joyous Ribbon-Cutting Celebration

After 30 years of being closed off from the general public visiting Bannerman Island's gorgeous section of the island known as "The Grotto" was introduced to the modern world in a heartfelt ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 25. The ceremony, attended by many local Dutchess County dignitaries, business leaders, and elected officials, was a proud moment for everyone in attendance. Bannerman Castle Trust (BCT) Executive Director & Founder Neil J. Caplan led the ceremony with an emotional speech thanking so many who contributed to opening the Grotto section. He, along with his staff, has made it their mission to raise funds, all to maintain and restore the beautiful history of the island and the castle.

Mr. Caplan introduced a number of key players and contributors including Andy Kitzman from Hudson Valley Greenway, Linda Cooper from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation/Taconic Region, and District 18 Dutchess County Legislator Molly Rhodes (D)

This night was all about the opening of the newly restored Grotto, a historic architectural work now a passionately reconstructed stone terrace built into a splendid rock formation beneath the Bannerman stone residence. Originally constructed in the early 1900's, this solace section was once used by Francis Bannerman and his family for deep thinking, solitude, and prayer. The Grotto site is majestic, fully defining the beauty of not only Pollepel Island, but the scenery it offers, looking south down the Hudson River, offering views of West Point and the southern Hudson Highlands mountain chain.

“The Grotto was a special place for Bannerman, as it was a place for prayer and solitude,” said Caplan. “You can see it now and get that same thought when you look out from the site. It really is a peaceful place.”

The Grotto had fallen into disrepair and remained hidden by overgrown wild vegetation for many years before the restoration project began. Carmel, New York, Master Mason Aric Morgan was first hired by BCT in 2011 to begin restoring a number of Bannerman Island projects, and in 2025, work began on The Grotto. For design and guidance, Mr. Caplan gave Morgan photos of what these sites looked like over 100 years ago, and then Morgan and his team got underway reconstructing those areas. The Grotto was funded in part by grants from Parks and Trails New York and the Hudson River Valley Greenway, and now the newly restored area connects directly to a major trail on the island.

With this very active summer of 2026 just beginning and the strong presence of the Island in the arts, BCT scheduled a screening of the film “1776” for the evening of July 3rd on the island and EPIC Broadway, an upcoming musical theater review hosted by Broadway and BCT taking place July 24-25. The beauty of the epic Broadway program is the setting of Bannerman Island where these performances will be on stage. Organizations throughout Dutchess County and the surrounding area are looking forward to this highly anticipated program.