Boldt Yacht House on Wellesley Island. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Across the water from Boldt Castle, stands Boldt Yacht House on nearby Wellesley Island in Upstate New York. What I thought was just another millionaire’s waterfront mansion in the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River was actually tied to the history of the famous castle all along.
Designed by G. W. & W.D. Hewitt architects, the weathered, wood shingle structure with its picturesque spires and gables was built in 1903, as a place for millionaire George Boldt (1851-1916) to store his impressive boat collection. Boldt already owned a stunning mansion within sight of the yacht house on Wellesley Island, known as The Farm Cottage or Wellesley House. It was mentioned in The Watertown Daily Times newspaper, but was sadly lost to history when it burned down in the 1980s. Today, only the Boldt family’s Hart House remains, which operates as a historic bed and breakfast.
Although not as glamorous as Boldt’s fairytale castle on Heart Island, which ceased construction following the death of his wife, the Boldt Yacht House could itself be considered a respectable mansion. Complete with three interior bays, the facility also features reception rooms, offices, a prominent tower and a private caretaker’s residence. It currently houses several boats on loan from the Antique Boat Museum in nearby Clayton, New York.
Every 30 minutes, a free shuttle ferries visitors across the water from the castle to the dock on Wellesley Island. The Boldt Yacht House is open to the public from May 10 – October 13. Tickets for adults cost $7.50.
Below are some of the photographs I took on my first visit. Enjoy!
– Michael Aaron Gallagher
Fireplace in the Dining Room at Boldt Yacht House. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Wood shingle siding on the tower of the Boldt Yacht House. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Antique boats on loan from the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York are on display inside the Boldt Yacht House. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Kestrel’s 1892 Steam Engine. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Clock. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
View of Boldt Castle from a window inside the Boldt Yacht House. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Oil painting and tea set. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
View of Boldt Castle from the Boldt Yacht House Dock. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Interior bay inside Boldt Yacht House with a view of Boldt Castle in the distance. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Boldt Yacht House on the shore of Wellesley Island on the St. Lawrence River in Upstate New York. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.