The first level of the Castle has been turned into a museum, filled with exhibits dedicated to the lives of George and Louise Boldt and the development of the Thousand Island region. Examine the Power House and Clock Tower,
designed after the fashion of a Medieval
Tower, and located on the eastern end of
Heart Island. This facility was intended
to house coal fired steam generators to provide
electricity to the island. An arched, stone
bridge connects the Power House to the island,
and the highest tower provided river traffic
with illuminated clock faces and the music
of chimes. Inside you'll find displays and
photographs depicting the lifestyle of a
by-gone era in the Thousand Islands at the
turn of the century. You'll also find its
steam engine generator, typical of the type
that would have been used to provide power
and illumination for the island estate. Alster Tower, the Boldt's playhouse, was the first structure Boldt erected on Heart Island. Its design suggests a defense tower similar to those on the Alster River in
Germany. But this curious mini-castle probably
was not pre-designed, since it would have
been nearly impossible to describe its eccentric
and irregular forms on paper. It was likely
improvised by Boldt himself in a highly personal
manner, and evolving as it rose. This building
was intended for the entertainment of guests
and the Boldt children. The ornate "Shell
Room" was to be used for dancing, and
was so named because of the shape of the
roof. The basement housed a bowling alley,
and the upper floors were to include a billiard
room, library, bedrooms, cafe, grill and
kitchen. Unlike the main residence, which
was never completed, this whimsical "play
house" was completed and occupied by
the Boldt family during the four years when
the Castle was being erected. After extensive
renovations to repair the deterioration of
the edifice, Alster Tower is now open to
visitors. Want to know more? >>More Views >>
Information On The 1000 Islands >>
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