Ian Coristine's take on his fabulous "The Great Escape" photos of Singer Castle!

Ian Coristine pictured above with his ultralight airplane.

When this blog was on the tidal wave of breaking news regarding the filming of "The Great Escape" on Dark Island, I ran two exquisite photos taken by Ian Coristine (with his direct permission) of Singer Castle during that event. (Click here to see that blog again with those spectacular photos. Be sure to click on the photos to see them in larger format). Now, what follows is a dispatch direct from Dark Island which gives Ian's account of the event, telling us how he was able to capture such amazing shots of the castle.

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As part of Singer Castle’s efforts to gather impressions from those people in our area of the 1000 Islands who assisted in the production and recording of the pilot of “The Great Escape” at the castle. We asked our friend Ian Corstine [of 1000 Islands Photo Art] who has taken many pictures of the castle to comment on the experience of photographing the castle while the television production was underway.  Two of his pictures one of the back of the castle and one of a cameraman were included with the initial press releases about the production. In response to our question about his experience, we received the following:

“Singer Castle is one of the 1000 Islands' most iconic landmarks so it was quite an honor to be invited to photograph it the only time in its 107 year history that it has been lit in this way. The castle's power supply doesn't have sufficient power to do this. It required a special generator truck from Boston to feed the battery of lights and I had just a single evening to try to capture it.

The shot of the rear of the castle, taken from the former tennis court, was one of several frames captured from that angle, but only this image shows the entire lawn glowing emerald green, providing a very unusual foreground for a night shot.

A crew member was slowly sweeping the lower spotlight to illuminate a small eight-foot, moving circle for a videographer. Because the darkness required the camera's shutter to remain open for 35 seconds, only the portions of lawn where it had passed showed as green in the images, with the remainder in deep shadow. Purely by luck, in this single frame only, the spotlight happened to sweep the entire lawn during the camera's exposure.

Moments after this image, I set up on the south side of the castle for what is my favorite-ever Singer shot. The castle's size is not as apparent in this image, but with it standing tall on the bluff, it gives a real sense of majesty - Fantasyland, which I find very compelling and fully in keeping with the grandeur of the Gilded Age. Not a minute after this shot, the lights suddenly dimmed and went out. The generator had failed and would not be operational again that night. I would not get another chance. 

Timing is everything in life.  I feel incredibly fortunate that I was able to capture the river so low from above from my plane in the last years before the post 9/11 fears made it impossible to continue shooting from this perspective. I feel the same way about these two shots of Singer Castle, the only time in its existence the opportunity has presented itself, almost certainly never to occur again.”

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Above dispatch received direct from Dark Island's Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant to Singer Castle's President, Tom Weldon.

Floating Castles at Singer Castle

On Sunday, July 31st those in the vicinity of Singer Castle noticed a veritable flotilla of yachts making their way downriver toward Dark Island.  After checking in with customs at Boldt Castle, thirty yachts most ranging in size between 30 and 65 feet came to the island for AquaPalooza 2011.  AquaPalooza is a series Sea Ray sponsored on-water celebrations held during the last two weekends in July at more than 100 locations around the world.   The participating boats were docked on both the North and South sides of the castle and the passengers enjoyed an evening of socializing, dinning and dancing on the Castle Greens followed by an overnight stay. This was the second AquaPalooza cruise to Singer Castle from Hurst Marina in Manotick, Ontario Canada.  Event organizers found that AquaPalooza 2010 was so well received that they decided to return in 2011.
  
Singer Castle staff welcomed the group’s return and enjoyed seeing the floating “castles” that were manufactured by Sea Ray, Meridian, Cobalt, Viking, Chris Craft and Doral. Several of the larger yachts came equipped with every convenience one would ever want or need for an enjoyable cruise: kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, stoves, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, icemakers, wine storage, beds with pillow top mattresses, full bathrooms, TVs, DVD players, Stereo systems, washers and dryers, GPS and so on.  One could easily live on board for months at a time.

Above report and photo direct from Dark Island's Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant to Tom Weldon, President of Singer Castle.

Commodore Frederick G. Bourne's Weathervane at Singer Castle Restored

Pictured above: Singer Castle Tour Guide, Brianne Langtry of Brier Hill, with the castle’s newly polished weather vane. Click on photo to see it larger.

As early as ancient Roman times, weather vanes were used to show wind direction.  They were particularly useful to mariners who utilized wind direction and sky conditions to predict short-term weather conditions.  Commodore Frederick Bourne was an avid sailor and in 1902 when he had his castle constructed on Dark Island, he had a unique weather vane crafted to place on the highest peak of the castle’s roof.  The weather vane connected to a wind dial inside the castle allowing the Commodore or any of his guests to judge wind direction at a glance.  Constructed of brass with copper finials, the weathervane had a brass pennant style flag with a “B” on it that would cause the vane to turn as the winds changed direction.   Crossed arms with brass letters for north, south, east and west were fixed below the upper section of the weather vane and the flag’s position in relation to the letters would indicate the wind direction to those outside of the building. 

The weather vane is still operational today and Singer Castle staff members have spent that past two weeks cleaning and polishing the parts of the weather vane so that it will once again be a shining fixture for visitors to see on the roof of Commodore Bourne’s castle.

Above dispatch and photo by Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant to Singer Castle's President Tom Weldon. Below, photo of Singer Castle's weather vane in place before restoration, by Bob Mondore. Click on it.

Singer Castle: Through the Eyes of a Tour Guide

Pictured: Griff Stark-Ennis, author of this post.

(Click on photo to see it larger.)

This past Monday, as I rode the staff boat across the St. Lawrence River from Chippewa Bay to Dark Island, I glanced up as I drew nearer to my work destination. There Singer Castle sat gloomy and enigmatic against the distant Canadian landscape, draped in a summer’s heavy rain. I found myself wondering how I came to be a tour guide there. How is it that this historical and mysterious castle became my summer job and what exactly makes it special to me?

Last summer after attending college orientation in Boston I received a call from Singer Castle on Dark Island Tours explaining that they were seeking to fill a position at the castle. Like any other soon-to-be college kid, I was in great need of spending money so needless to say I accepted the position. I soon found myself memorizing hundreds of historical facts and stories preparing for my first tour, one that every “newbie” dreads. Now, I can proudly say that I have a well-structured, informative and – in my opinion – fun tour, one that took many days of practice and embarrassment to perfect.

One may think that giving tours day after day would get monotonous, but the truth is I find myself learning new things every day. Whether our historian finds something new for us to include in our tours, or if I, myself, come across some small but important castle detail, I am constantly learning, discovering and adding. But what about Singer Castle inspired me?

Singer Castle in itself represents something that every young American, like me, is striving to achieve: the “American Dream.” Frederick Bourne, the original owner of the castle, worked his way up from choirboy to president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company making him one of the wealthiest men in the world at that time. The castle stands as both historical and modern proof of what persistence mixed with big dreaming can bring one in life.

I consider myself very lucky for two reasons, the first being that I am fortunate enough to have a summer job in a time when many teenagers in the United States are left seasonably unemployed. The second reason is also the greatest reason I look forward in coming to Singer Castle every morning…and that’s the fact that I actually enjoy my work! I am on a beautiful river all day inside an equally as beautiful castle, working with students – both high school and college – who share many of the same aspirations as I.

Behind the walls of Singer Castle lies an eclectic and diverse sort of family, who together aim to educate people from all over the world about the great history that these very walls have witnessed. History is very much intertwined with the present, however, and I myself am becoming a part of Singer Castle’s historic greatness every day I am there. Like Mr. Bourne, the castle employees and I are seeking to better ourselves through teaching others and working hard. Stepping back into history to change the future? Sounds like an all right summer job to me.

This post received direct from Dark Island. Authored by the talented tour guide: Griff Stark-Ennis.

Woodstock is not in the 1000 Islands... Or is it?

While not the famed Woodstock Music & Art Fair of 1969, noted architect Ernest Flagg’s rendition of Woodstock Palace as described by Sir Walter Scott in his 1826 novel – Woodstock - The Cavalier: A Tale of the Year Sixteen Hundred and Fifty-one was built on Dark Island in the 1000 Islands in 1903.

Virtually forgotten today, the original Woodstock went through many incarnations between 1007 and 1720. It is first mentioned in connection with the early English Kings Alfred the Great and Ethelred the Unready who lived 978-1016. In 1129 King Henry I had seven miles of wall built to enclose Woodstock Park for hunting. Around 1160 King Henry II turned the hunting lodge into a palace and much to the displeasure of his wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, used it to house his mistress Rosamund de Clifford. This was where he had his first clash with Thomas Beckett, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was then murdered by forces loyal to the King. King Richard the Lionheart and his brother King John I of “Robin Hood” fame were frequent visitors and King Edward III brought his entire court to Woodstock in 1330. In the late 1400s, Tudor King Henry VII, who restored stability to the monarchy after the War of the Roses, undertook major renovations of the palace at Woodstock. It is recorded that King Henry VIII frequently came to stay and hunt there in the early years of his reign. By the mid-16th Century, Woodstock, which had sunk into disrepair, was used to imprison Princess Elizabeth for nearly a year before she became Queen Elizabeth I of England. During the English Civil War (1642-49) the palace was used as a royalist garrison and was briefly visited by King Charles I. King Charles II used it during the conflict with Cromwell’s armies, who heavily damaged the property. From that point on the palace sank into ruin and was eventually torn down.

In the early 1900s Frederick G. Bourne of New York City hired the renowned architect Ernest Flagg to design a “small” hunting lodge that was unlike any other castle in existence. Flagg, who had just read the novel Woodstock, would use Scott’s description of Woodstock Palace as an inspiration for the new castle because the original was demolished in 1720 at the direction of the Duchess of Marlborough, who was overseeing the construction of Blenheim Palace near the original Woodstock’s location.

Today, Bourne and Flagg’s version of the Woodstock Palace, now known as Singer Castle, has become a popular destination for tours, overnight stays and weddings in the 1000 Islands region. (Blenheim Palace situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England is a tourist attraction as well as the family residence for the Dukes of Marlborough).

The above dispatch and pictures were received directly from Dark Island.

A Quick Taste: History of Singer Castle.

 Commodore Frederick G. Bourne and his wife Emma are the couple in the center of the gathering. Click on the photo to see it larger.

Singer Castle – A Family Place

The five-story red roofed castle on Dark Island was built in the early 1900s as a "small hunting lodge" for Frederick Bourne who was the President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company from 1889-1905. Bourne and his family loved spending time at "The Towers" in the 1000 Islands and enjoyed the many activities that were available to residents and visitors alike. Boating, sailing, racing, tennis and golf were popular with the family in the summer and in the fall Bourne and his friends came for the duck hunting. After Bourne’s death in 1919 his youngest daughter Marjorie and her sister, May Bourne Strassburger purchased the castle from the estate. Marjorie Bourne and her husband Alexander Thayer continued to use and enjoy the castle with friends and family until the early 1960s.

From the mid-1960s to 2001 the castle, then called Jorstadt Castle was owned by the Dr. Harold Martin Evangelical Association and used for religious retreats and services. During those years families came to the castle for Sunday worship during the summer months.

In 2002 Dark Island was purchased by a group of island and castle enthusiasts who opened the castle for guided tours, overnight stays and weddings and special events. Now called Singer Castle after the source of much of Frederick Bourne’s fortune, it is once again a family place. Visitors of all ages enjoy coming to tour the fully furnished building and hearing about time gone by in the 1000 Islands. Overnight guests can pretend that they are the Kings and Queens or Princes and Princesses of the castle and Brides and Grooms can have their own Royal Wedding.

After visiting friends and "family," you can now keep track of the castle by visiting us on facebook, or by checking out the following websites:
singercastle.blogspot.com, www.singercastle.com, and www.thousandislandslife.com.

The castle is also featured in several recently published books and magazines including Bob and Patty Mondore’s Singer Castle Revisited, Patty Mondore’s River-Lations: Inspirational Stories and Photos of the 1000 Islands, Ian Corstine’s The very best of Ian Corstine’s 1000 Islands, Kathleen Quigley’s The Summer Cottage: Retreats of the 1000 Islands, Scott Ian Barry’s The Castles of New York, Mike Harwood’s The St. Lawrence River Rats and The Mystery of Singer Castle, Island Life Magazine published by Kim Lunman. Wealth TV has produced a feature on Singer Castle as part of a series entitled "Palatial Passport" and PBS continues to air its feature on Singer Castle.

Call 1-877-327-5475 for more information on Singer Castle.

The above dispatch and photo were received this day directly from Dark Island's president, Tom Weldon.

 

First Ship of the season passing Singer Castle

Scott Garris took this photo of the first ship (the Algoeast) passing by Singer Castle on Dark Island in the St. Lawrence River, 1000 Islands. As reported by Singer Castle President Tom Weldon. A sign of better weather to come soon! Click on the photo to see it larger.

Captain Jack Spotted at Boat Show - Big Winner: Come on down!

Picture above and story received directly from Dark Island's Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant to the President of Singer Castle (Tom Weldon). Click on the photo to see it larger.

CAPTAIN JACK SPOTTED AT BOAT SHOW

Over 72,000 visitors from all over Canada, the U.S. and several foreign countries braved wintry weather to attend the 2011 Toronto International Boat Show.  Representatives of 1000 Islands International Tourism Council and Singer Castle joined over 500 other vendors in Toronto’s Direct Energy Center to share information about the 1000 Islands Region.  Among those spotted at the Singer Castle Booth was Captain Jack Sparrow who is pictured above talking to Sir Frederick.

More than 850 of the visitors to the Singer Castle booth registered to win an evening in the castle’s Royal Suite. At the close of the show an entry from Nelly, one of the Canadian visitors to the castle’s booth, was chosen.   Castle staff is awaiting a reply to the e-mail that notified Nelly of her lucky entry.

Dark Island communique just in: End of the Season Final Report. Looking Good!

2010 A Very Good Year for Singer Castle

As Singer Castle staff members work to prepare for the coming of winter, it is an excellent time to reflect on the milestones and the accomplishments of the 2010 season.

•    There was a 16% increase in attendance over the previous season. Between the beginning of May and the end of October more than 22,000 visitors from all over the United States, Canada and several foreign countries came to the castle for guided tours, weddings, special events or overnight stays in the castle's Royal Suite.

•    The castle has become increasingly popular as a site for weddings ceremonies and receptions, surprise marriage proposals, birthday celebrations, special events and anniversary and honeymoon getaways. The castle staff works with our guests to help them plan the wedding, special events or overnight stay of their dreams. There were twenty weddings at the castle this year and our Royal Suite was occupied on more than one hundred evenings.

•    Castle staff members have continued to gather more of the history of this special building and of the people who built the castle, the families who lived on the island and those who worked there. We were fortunate to have another of Frederick Bourne's great granddaughters come to visit during August of this year and the caretaker from 1955 was kind enough to share his memories of visits when his grandfather was caretaker and of his own time on Dark Island.

•    The castle was featured in several newly published books including Bob and Patty Mondore's Singer Castle Revisited, Ian Corstine's The very best of Ian Corstine's 1000 Islands, Kathleen Quigley's The Summer Cottage: Retreats of the 1000 Islands, and Scott Ian Barry's The Castles of New York.


---Received direct from Dark Island's Jean Papke, Assistant to the Dark Island's President, Tom Weldon. Photo also by Jean Papke.

100 Year Old Visits Castle - Was alive when F.B. Bourne frequented Dark Island in the Golden Age.

Singer Castle on Dark Island

Communique just received directly from Dark Island...

CELEBRATING A MARRIAGE AND A 100^TH BIRTHDAY

AT A 105 YEAR OLD CASTLE

On Saturday, September 4^th over 100 members of the Eastman and Nelson families came to Singer Castle on Dark Island to celebrate the marriage of Deborah Eastman and Aaron Nelson. Making Deborah and Aaron’s day even more special was the celebration of her Grandmother Alice Eastman’s 100^th birthday.  Mrs. Eastman, a resident of Ellisburg, NY, is the oldest visitor to have ever come to the castle.  At the time of her birth in September of 1910, Frederick Bourne and his family regularly visited Dark Island and he was having workmen add 50’ in length and a second story with living quarters to the North Boathouse.  The 1000 Islands area was in its Golden Age.

Following a beautiful but windswept ceremony in the Rose Garden, Deborah and Aaron’s guests were treated to a delicious dinner and dancing in a large tent that had been erected on the Castle Green.  Any adversity or delays caused by the weather on their special day were met with grace and good humor and when the celebrations concluded all of the guests were safely returned to shore having had a most memorable experience.

Communique by Jean Papke, Administrative to the President of Singer Castle on Dark Island. Photo by Tom Weldon, President. Click on the photo to see it larger.

Landmark Society Visits Landmark...Singer Castle on Dark Island

On a recent breezy August morning, twenty-three intrepid members of the Thousand Island Park Landmark Society boarded two classic craft from the Antique Boat Museum (Clayton, NY) for a cruise from the town dock in Thousand Island Park down river to Singer Castle on Dark Island.

Seventeen passengers were aboard the “Zipper” a 1930s style 41’ Commuter that was captained by Frank Beadle and six were aboard the “Gadfly” an original 1931 Hutchinson Boat Works 33’ Sedan captained by David Dodge. The group’s arrival at the castle appeared much like a scene from the early 1900s. (See photo above, taken by the Castle's own caretaker, Scott Garris. Click on the photo to see it larger.)

Once on Dark Island, the Landmark Society members enjoyed a picnic lunch in Singer Castle’s historic Rose Garden where they listened to a talk by Kathleen Murphy, an expert in historic plantings, who designed and replanted the castle’s Rose Garden in 2006. Following lunch Judy Keeler, Singer Castle Historian, escorted them on a tour of the castle. They then braved the increasing waves to return to their own historic homes in Thousand Island Park.

News directly received from Dark Island's Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant to the President, Tom Weldon.

Singer Castle and Plein Air Painters

Alexandria Bay-(August 11, 2010), Singer Castle and Plein Air Painters Thousand Islands Region (PAPTIR) will conduct an “en plein air” painting (French for open air) event on Wednesday September 1, rain date September 2^nd.  The event is open to all artists. A broader definition of the term includes painting from life or sight without the use of photographs. With this in mind a limited number of artists may set up inside to do interiors.  It provides the opportunity to showcase details of the grounds and Singer Castle from an up close perspective as well as enjoy a day at one of the Regions beautiful attractions.

To register and get more details contact Robert P.  Hedden at PAPTIR@gmail.com or 315-482-9352. Parking and a boat shuttle is available from the Schermerhorn Harbor and there is a boat shuttle from Alexandria Bay. The Schermerhorn shuttle takes about twenty minutes and departs 10:30AM to 3:30PM every hour on the half hour. Returns are on the hour with the last at 5:00PM. The fee is $15 for the shuttle which includes the round trip. The Castle entrance fee is waived for participating artists and no formal tour will be provided. Artists must agree to a group photo and photos of their work for publicity.

PAPTIR was formed in 2009 to foster painting in the outdoors as opposed to studio painting from photographs. Plein air artists complete their paintings on site, sometimes using the work along with photos and sketches to complete larger studio works. The group has over twenty artists on its register and typically around eight attend a scheduled paintout every second Wednesday from Spring to Fall.  Some who are year round St. Lawrence River residents paint outdoors all year long, weather permitting. There are no dues, meetings, officers, or directors, just “birds of a feather get together”. In addition to Plein Air Contests supported by local ARTS Organizations for organization and publicity and business sponsors for prize money, PAPTIR holds group Art Shows. The most recent show was August 6-7 at the Macsherry library. Another day show is planned for Saturday September 18th at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton NY. Interested artists can contact Robert P. Hedden at the above email address or phone number to be included on the event email distribution list.

(This dispatch and picture was received directly from Dark Island today. Be sure to click on the beautiful aerial picture of Singer Castle above to see it large).

Boats, Boats and More Boats at Singer Castle, Dark Island!

BOATS, BOATS AND MORE BOATS

On a warm summer evening the castle came alive with light and music. People could be seen moving about on the terrace and through the windows of the Drawing Room, Dining Room and Breakfast Room. Lights reflected off the waters of the St. Lawrence and boats rocked gently at all of the docks. Some were even moored to each other.

Island neighbors asked each other: Where had all the large boats come from? What was happening at the castle? Did you see all the lights? Isn’t it exciting! The island and castle must have looked much like this when the Bournes or the Thayers were in residence. Friends were invited to come over after a day of boat racing on the river and the voices of young people would echo over the surrounding water. Of course the boats were not the same.

The boats, most between 35’ and 50’ in length but as large as 65’, were at Singer Castle for Aquapalooza 2010 – A group cruise from Hurst Marina in Mantiock, Ontario near Ottawa with a stop at Singer Castle on Dark Island for the evening on their return trip to Ottawa. Twenty-two boats in all with 72 passengers tied up at the island’s docks so that they could experience the wonders of the Gilded Age Hunting Lodge built by Frederick Bourne, Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. The Singer Castle staff members greeted these guests much as the Bourne’s staff would have welcomed guests to Dark Island, assisted them in tying up, escorted them up the Bridle Path to the front doors and then through the Great Hall and up the broad staircase to the Drawing Room, Dining Room and Breakfast Room where dinner and entertainment awaited them.

This dispatch was received directly from Dark Island today. Photo and article by Jean Papke (Assistant to the President of Singer Castle, Tom Weldon). Photo was taken Aug. 1, 2010 (click on it to see it in large size).

Fascinating Transportation methods used to arrive at Singer Castle, Dark Island

MANY FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION USED TO REACH DARK ISLAND

(Be sure to click on the photos to see them larger.)

Many forms of transportation have been used to reach the rocky shores of Dark Island in the St. Lawrence River.  When they used the island as a summer hunting and fishing ground, Native Americans came in their birch bark canoes.  Traces of their occupation such a granite grindstone can still be seen.  During the construction of Frederick Bourne's "small hunting lodge" in the early 1900s, workmen arrived by skiff, by scow, by barge, and in winter by sleigh and by foot across the ice.

Commodore Bourne and his family, all of whom were boating enthusiasts, reached the island in motor launches such as the 60' "Dark Island" and over the years family members owned a variety of boats in all sizes and types including a series of boats for racing in the Frontenac Gold Cup [upon further investigation, it was not the Gold Cup that she won -rjm*] and other races that were held yearly in the 1000 Islands.   Daughter Marjorie won the 1909 Gold Cup Race [*it was not the Gold Cup] in the "Moike" a 36' racing boat she received for her 16th birthday.  The "Moike" is now in the collection of the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.  Commodore Bourne even brought his larger yachts such as the 81' Artemis and later his 111' steam yacht named the "Sioux" to Dark Island.  The boats were stored in the island's two boathouses and skiff house.   The most unusual craft in the Bourne's collection was an electric gondola that was used to transport guests from the dock in Chippewa Bay to his castle.

In the present day, guests come to the island by boats large and small: canoes, personal watercraft, kayaks, motorboats, fishing boats, dive boats, antique boats, cigarette boats, cabin cruisers, shuttles, tour boats, cruise ships, and even tall ships come to the shores of  Dark Island.  Overnight guests to the castle have even arrived by helicopter and most recently a newlywed couple who had spent the night in the castle's Royal Suite departed from the island by seaplane.  The nine passenger single engine plane chartered from Carson Air in Toronto picked up the guests on the calm July morning and flew them to Ottawa, Canada for a flight to Los Angeles by private jet.  The conditions on the river were superb, no wind and total calm on the water allowed the plane to land and take off from Singer Castle's south dock with ease.

Singer Castle is open for guided tours daily through Labor Day and weekends and by appointment in the fall. Come to the island in whatever size boat you have available.  We will welcome you 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or come and spend the evening in our Royal Suite.  Call 1-877-327-5475 (Singer Castle) for more information. (This news dispatch was submitted directly from Dark Island by Jean Papke, assistant to the president of Singer Castle, Tom Weldon.)