This Castle Overlooks New York City

And just down the road are beautiful gardens

Kip’s Castle is located in an Essex County New Jersey Park in the town of Verona. It’s located on a cliff from which you can see the Manhattan skyline.

The 9,000 square foot mansion replicates a medieval Norman castle. It’s on the ridge of First Mountain. Construction began in 1902 and was completed in 1905. Owned by Frederic Kip, a wealthy textile inventor and industrialist. The estate eventually fell into disrepair but has been renovated - a process that took two decades. Tours of the building were suspended during the Covid-19 epidemic and, according to a sign next to the front door, have not been resumed.

About a mile away from Kip’s Castle, in Montclair New Jersey, one finds Van Vleck House & Gardens. The garden is open every day of the year, from dawn to dusk and admission is free. Although the garden only takes up six acres, its wide range of trees and flowers from around the world makes this an outstanding stop for people of all ages to enjoy.

Originally the private estate of the Van Vleck family, it originated as a 12 acre site in 1868.

In 1993 the Van Vleck family gifted the house and grounds to the Montclair Foundation. The house is now used as a center for nonprofits to meet and hold events. But it is exclusively for that purpose. It’s not a venue for, example, weddings or other private events.

All photos copyright Gary Baumgarten

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