The Bannerman Castle Trust has completed the restoration of the Bannerman Island grotto, a historic architectural feature built into a rock formation beneath the Bannerman stone residence. Originally constructed in the early 1900s, the space was used by the Bannerman family for contemplation and prayer. The site features a reconstructed stone terrace that offers views of West Point and the southern Hudson Highlands mountain chain.

The grotto had fallen into disrepair and remained hidden by wild vegetation for years before the restoration project began. Master mason Aric Morgan and his team reconstructed the area using original photographs from more than a century ago for design guidance. The project was funded in part by grants from Parks and Trails NY and the Hudson River Valley Greenway, and the newly restored area now connects directly to a major trail on the island.

An exclusive fundraising benefit will take place on Thursday, June 25, to celebrate the completion of the project. Attendees will board the Estuary Tour Boat at 6:00 p.m. from the Beacon dock at 2 Red Flynn Drive, located across from the Beacon Metro-North train station. The event includes a 20-minute river cruise, a guided tour of the grotto, a historic ribbon-cutting ceremony, and light refreshments, with the boat returning to Beacon by 9:00 p.m.

Tickets for the fundraising cruise and tour are priced at $55, with availability limited to the capacity of the tour boat. All proceeds from the ticket sales will fund the Bannerman Castle Trust stabilization and restoration initiatives scheduled for 2026 and 2027. Reservations can be made through the organization’s website, and additional inquiries are handled through their offices and gallery at 150 Main Street in Beacon.

Click here for tickets.