The ride out to Singer castle took nearly an hour on the ferry but with so much to look at it didn't seem that long. Singer Castle has a long history and since its original owner Fredrick Bourne, Singer Sewing machine magnet it has changed hands several times. Bourne had an architect friend Ernest Flagg. Fredrick had Ernest design and build a "Hunting and Fishing Lodge" in 1905. Bournes lodge was based on a novel written by Sir Walter Scott called Woodstock. The novel inspired Flagg to create the castle, originally known as the Towers with secret passageways, tunnels, and a dungeon. A portrait on one of the walls tips back so the host can spy on his guests from a secret passageway and grates placed high on the walls in rooms such as the dining room allow the host to spy or servants to monitor the needs of guests. Italian stonemasons were hired to shape granite brought in from a nearby island to build the castle. Bourne and his wife Emily had 12 children and the castle remained in the family from 1902 until the mid-1960's. Most of the furniture in the castle is the original. The servants were never to be seen throughout the hallways which was made possible by all of the secret passageways and monitoring vents. I loved Singer, it had so much character and the young man taking us through on the tour provided so many interesting tidbits. Oh by the way, you can stay in the Castles suite, dinner and breakfast included for $775 per night.
Thought this chair leg was cool. The gargoyles on the chair legs were supposed to keep evil spirits away from the home
one of the grates on the wall for spying
These were original exercise posters that were in the exercise room
original exercise charts
outside covered sitting area
selfie in the garden where weddings are now held
Another view of the wedding gardens
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