The first Litchfield Castle is actually called the Litchfield Villa--and it still exists! It is on the edge of Prospect Park, and it currently houses the Brooklyn headquarters of the NYC Department of Parks and the offices of the Prospect Park Alliance. is the location of the offices of Prospect Park Alliance. I've seen walked by it countless times and I've even been inside, but I never thought about why it was so grand when it's just offices.
According to the Prospect Park Alliance website, Litchfield Villa was originally built as a residence for the Litchfield family in 1857. Edwin Litchfield, a railroad magnate and real estate developer, purchased nearly a square mile of meadow and swampland for his estate in 1852 which extended down to the Gowanus Canal. In 1868 Litchfield was forced to sell his land to the Brooklyn Parks Commission for the creation of Prospect Park.
So it definitely makes sense that the Litchfields are so concerned with private property rights--they've already had their private property turned into public land! This is yet another questionable connection between New York City and the Adirondacks.
Here is a photo of Litchfield Villa in 1900 (courtesy of Bob Levine Collection, Prospect Park Alliance). It seems that the Litchfields always had a taste for splendor that didn't exactly fit the surroundings.
Litchfield Villa today (http://www.prospectpark.org/visit/places/villa)
Wow! this family definitely has something for grand architecture! In our readings we've been constantly confronted with somewhat absurd attempts at utopian communities in the Adirondacks. I feel like this place is the last legacy of that mindset. The original drawings of castles that eleven years old Edward Litchfield drew and the photos of the house now are remarkably similar. Looking at that book was like watching an individual's imagination come to life.
ReplyDeleteAnother castle built in New York City around the same time Litchfield was building his new one in the Adirondacks is Belvedere Castle in Central Park. According to Wikipedia it was built as a "Victorian folly" (which might be an appropriate description for Litchfield's unique homes) and today serves as both a weather station and a popular place for proposals and weddings. It too is connected to the Adirondacks in a way by its designer, Frederick Law Olmsted, who, among many things, was a prominent conservationist of the time. It would seem that castles were quite the fad in the 1800's!
ReplyDeleteIn the 70's hunted in the Adirondack castle it was breath taking 97 rooms all left just like they were made .The main room has a fireplace that can take an 8ft log ,the room is filled with animals and all the hall ways 100's of mounts.3 lakes on property all with a safe house on them if you get lost simple a unbelievable wonderful place
ReplyDeleteDo you know if they welcome guests?
DeleteNo - it's a privately owned property, open just to the family and their guests.
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