NEWSLETTER
Beacon, NY - The Bannerman Castle Trust (BCT) with its office & gallery at 150 Main Street in Beacon, NY has unveiled its 2025 touring and events season on Bannerman Island, promising a captivating array of experiences from now through October.
For over 30 years, the BCT has been dedicated to restoring this historic and picturesque island, transforming it into a unique destination for all. Explore the island's structures, the Bannerman Residence Museum and stunning gardens with an experienced guide or venture out on your own on the scenic trails.
The adventure begins aboard the MV Estuary Steward from Beacon, NY (adjacent to the Metro North Train Station), offering a 20–25-minute scenic cruise with breathtaking views of the Hudson River Highlands. Island tours, including travel, last just over two hours. Theater events, concerts, film nights, environmental programs, art shows and fundraising dinners are also scheduled throughout the season.
Bannerman Island Dinner events include the BCT’s First Annual Burns Supper on Friday, July 25th - celebrating Scottish poet & lyricist Robert Burns (1759-1796) and the Bannerman family’s Scottish Heritage. BCT’s popular Annual Farm to Table Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 6th. Designed by Chef Noah Sheetz, the dinner events will feature culinary delights in line with the dinner themes.
Theater on Bannerman Island will include Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s live performance of Julius Caesar, September 11-13th and Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker by Jim Helsinger featuring actor Duane Boutté, September 23-28th. Movie nights will feature Romeo & Juliet starring Clare Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio on June 6th, Hook, starring Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams on June 20th, Disney’s Coco on July 5th, Raiders of the Lost Ark starring Harrison Ford on July 11th, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure on August 8th and the classic films Now Voyager starring Bette Davis and Claude Rains on August 22nd and Boris Karloff in the Bride of Frankenstein on October 3rd.
BCT’s upcoming Third Sunday Music Concerts feature The Storm King Duo on June 15th, Guitarist Tony DePaolo on July 29th, Darrell Brown & Lil’ Bones on August 17th, Songwriter/Guitarist Jim Rezac on September 21st and Indie Folk Duo Whispering Tree on October 19th. All concerts are free for all visitors taking 11:00am and 12:30pm tours!
The BCT’s Annual Plein Air Paint-Out & Photography Day for artists will take place on Friday, October 3rd. The event will be followed by an exhibition of the original works at the Howland Cultural Center in early 2026. An exhibition featuring antiques, artifacts and artwork focusing on Bannerman Island and artwork by contemporary artists Virginia Donovan and Mary Ann Glass is currently on view at the BCT’s Gallery located at 150 Main St. in Beacon, NY.
Butterfly Day, an educational event presented in collaboration with the Museum of the Hudson Highlands is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20th. This annual event for people of all ages celebrates the amazing Monarch Butterfly, which is most active in the Hudson Valley in late August on its migration flight. Bannerman’s Island is a certified Monarch butterfly waystation! Artist Kathleen Griffin will also be on hand to present the prototype for her upcoming project on the island called the Butterflies of Memory; an art installation slated for 2026-2027.
Bannerman Island Tours are going on now through October. For a schedule of all upcoming tours and events and tickets, please visit http://www.bannermancastle.org. For more information on BCT programming please call 845-831-1001 or contact Executive Director Neil Caplan directly at 845-440-3318, thank you!
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Photo: Piper on Bannerman Island