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Sunday, February 19, 2012

A Monument of Love

This past summer we visited the Thousand Islands region and took a boat ride to the world famous Boldt Castle. I thought I will share some pictures from our trip to this astonishingly beautiful castle:

Located on the romantic Heart Island along the northern border of New York State in the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence river, this imposing structure stands as a testimony to eternal love:
The Boat Entry Arch. Reminds me of Roman architecture:
The castle was built at the turn of the century by multi-millionaire George C. Boldt for his wife, Louise (via)
George Boldt came to America at the age of thirteen from a German island in the Baltic Sea and worked as a kitchen helper in a hotel in New York City. His entrepreneurship skills made him extremely wealthy and a renowned celebrity: 
He planned on presenting the castle to his wife as a "Valentine's Day"gift.

 George Boldt invested over $2.5 million to build this beautiful castle comprising of eleven buildings and 120 rooms. The mansion was under construction when Louise Boldt unexpectedly died in January 1904. She never got to see this dream castle. Heart broken, George Boldt ordered that all work on the castle be stopped. He never returned to the island and the structure remained as a symbol of eternal love. 

The Castle and its surrounding structures were left to the mercy of nature until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977 and decided to preserve it for the  future generations. 

The Grand Hallway and Staircase inside the Castle:





Boldt monogram on the tiled floor:


Sitting area near the Grand Hallway:




















Hall Table:


Love the beautiful stained glass ceiling dome and on the windows:

 The Morning Reception Room. Beautiful tall windows filtering in the sun:
  Gorgeous detail work of the ceiling leaves me awestruck:

  The Grand Ball Room:
 Beautiful detailing of the chairs:

I just loved this gorgeous mirror:

And the pretty Table:


 I loved all the mirrors in this mansion. Another gorgeous mirror in the upstairs hallway:

 The Dining Room:
 The chandelier above the dining table:

 The library:
George Boldt was the proprietor of The Waldorf-Astoria in
 New York City.Established at the end of the nineteenth century, it was largest hotel in the world, as well as the most advanced and prestigious one. George Boldt was known as the “the inventor of the modern hotel.”(via)

                 George Boldt's bedroom at Boldt Castle:


                           The fireplace in his bedroom:


His wife, Louise was his working partner and the two of them transformed the Waldorf-Astoria into a glamorous and luxurious structure that attracted the social elite. 

                    Lousie's bedroom at Boldt Castle:



The fireplace in her bedroom:

  
The Bathroom:


The daughter's bedroom in the castle:



The cozy window seat in the room:


Love the fireplace mantle in this room:


Boldt Castle has its own Yacht House:

Beautiful fountain in the castle ground:



Thanks for joining me for a tour of this romantic castle
 that remains as a symbol of eternal love and the 
splendor of a bygone era.

        And a note of thanks and gratitude to Kathy @ 
featuring my Wine vignette HERE and Winter Whites
And also to Terrie @ A Creative Princess for featuring my 
Winter Whites  

Thank-you ladies! My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to 
both of you. Do stop by if you get a chance and visit their delightful blogs filled with inspiring ideas and thoughts. 
  

Linking to these awesome parties:


July's Linky Party 7/1

at

26 comments:

  1. Barbara F.February 19, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    Hi Poppy, these photos are wonderful, great tour of Boldt Castle. How sad that Louise died so young and before completion. I am also following you on Linky and hope you follow me, too. xo

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  2. Denise at Forest ManorFebruary 19, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    Wow Poppy, this castle is SPECTACULAR! Your pictures are great! I love Louise Boldt's bedroom furnishings -- so elegant and feminine, too. I find the exterior architecture of this castle extremely romantic and charming. So sad that they never lived in it.

    Thanks for sharing and Happy Seasonal Sunday!

    Denise

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  3. HIBISCUS HOUSEFebruary 19, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Hi I am now following you and found you on the linky follower hop! I invite you to follow me over at Hibiscus House, I would love to have you. I can tell I am going to enjoy your posts. This sure was a wonderful historical and beautiful tour thanks for sharing.
    Sincerely,
    Dolly
    http://hibiscushouse1.blogspot.com/

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  4. Grammy GoodwillFebruary 19, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures and the love story that inspired them. I've never heard of this castle.

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  5. Miss KittyFebruary 19, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    Wow! I have never even heard of this place but it is beyond beautiful. Thank you so much for expanding my horizons by sharing your great photos of the mansion. I saw your post over at "Boogieboard Cottage".

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  6. ReneeFebruary 19, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Beautiful and such a sad story.

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  7. Shelley @ Sew and DipityFebruary 20, 2012 at 1:16 AM

    Hi Poppy, I love love love the winter whites post! Oh that candle...so making that :) I'm hopping around the Linky Followers Party Hop, I'm following you...will you please follow me too :)

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  8. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseFebruary 20, 2012 at 5:05 AM

    I visited Thousand Islands years ago, but didn't visit the castle. NOw thanks to you, it's almost as if I did!

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2012 at 5:53 AM

    wow awesome photos

    toronto limo rentals

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  10. Pat@Back Porch MusingsFebruary 20, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Poppy, thank you for sharing this beautiful home. I enjoyed your photos, so much.

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  11. ElnaFebruary 20, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    Great castle and lovely pictures.

    Hugs from Sweden
    Elna

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  12. Richard CottrellFebruary 20, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    What a home. Than goodness some one stepped up to save it. Times like this, when homes like this, were built out of love and compassion. I never knew of this home and I love old homes. Thanks for sharing. I am your newest follower and I hope you will stop by soon for a tour of my old home. Richard from my old Historic House.

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  13. Bunny JeanFebruary 21, 2012 at 7:54 PM

    Hi Poppy!

    Wow... those are some nice castles. I for one am happy to NOT live in one... can you imagine cleaning that every week?! lol

    Your pictures are wonderful and I really liked taking that little sightseeing trip with you ;)

    Thanks for sharing this at my party!

    xoxo Bunny Jean

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  14. xinexFebruary 21, 2012 at 8:42 PM

    Thanks for giving us a virtual tour, Poppy. The palace is gorgeous and so grand. All the details are so magnificent. What a sad story behind it, huh?...Christine

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  15. Rose :: Fine Craft GuildFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    Incredible: 2.5 mil just buys you a 'nice home' in west vancouver, canada. anyhow, gorgeous castle.

    ::

    I am actually coming to your site re. the FOLLOWER linky blog hop, and am following you ! :-) Will you follow me back?? Thank you so much when you do.

    PLUS: There is also a party on our blog, where you can feature 'your best creative work'. There are some great projects to see already, but we want to see your work!

    Anyhow, use this link both to FOLLOW and to PARTY:
    http://www.FineCraftGuild.com/party/

    Hope to seeing you around!!
    Have a happy, creative day!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Alicia@ eco friendly homemakingFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    Oh this place looks awesome! So beautiful!!

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  17. LynnFebruary 23, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    I've seen Boldt Castle from the water but never up close. Stunning! Thanks for sharing your photos. I stopped by from the Blog Hop and am following you via Linky Followers. I hope you'll pop over to Cottage and Creek and follow back. Thanks!
    Lynn
    http://www.cottageandcreek.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. MegFebruary 24, 2012 at 8:29 AM

    What a sad story. The castle is truly gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the pics and story.

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  19. heather @ new house, new home, new lifeFebruary 24, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    Hi Poppy - the sight of Boldt Castle rising out of the St. Lawrence is truly magical. Never been inside, but toured around the outside from a boat once. Lovely visit.

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  20. CynthiaFebruary 24, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    I have never been here but it sure absolutely beautiful. Love the pictures.

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  21. Denise MarieFebruary 25, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Wow, never even knew about this amazing place!!

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  22. UnknownFebruary 25, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    Amazing photos! I'm your newest follower-stop by for a visit!

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  23. Honey at 2805February 26, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful tour at Potpourri Friday! We visited the Thousand Island area a couple of years ago and Boldt Castle and the whole area is amazing!

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  24. Sarah@budgetfriendlydecoratingFebruary 28, 2012 at 11:55 PM

    I have never heard of this castle, but now I want to go see it in person desperately. Thanks for the tour!

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  25. The Charm of HomeFebruary 29, 2012 at 10:52 AM

    What a gorgeous place!
    Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  26. Alison @ The PolohouseJuly 4, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    What a beautiful but sad love story, Poppy! I love this American castle and the story that goes with it. The yacht building and boat archway are such lovely additions to the compound too.

    Never heard the story but would love to visit there someday.

    Happy Fourth!
    xox
    A

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Thanks for stopping by and for your loving thoughts. They make me smile!Hugs~Poppy