Leland Castle
Encyclopedia
Leland Castle is a 19th century Gothic revival castle located on the campus of the College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, New York
. The castle was originally the residence of Simeon Leland, a wealthy New York City
hotel proprietor. Mr. Leland began to assemble an estate as early as 1848, and in 1855 began the erection of a palatial mansion of sixty rooms. The home was designed by New York City architect
William Thomas Beers. A north and south wing were added to the castle in 1899 and 1902 respectively.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1976 and the New York State Register in 1980.
.
The castle currently houses the administrative offices of the College of New Rochelle and the college's Castle Art Gallery.
New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
. The castle was originally the residence of Simeon Leland, a wealthy New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
hotel proprietor. Mr. Leland began to assemble an estate as early as 1848, and in 1855 began the erection of a palatial mansion of sixty rooms. The home was designed by New York City architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
William Thomas Beers. A north and south wing were added to the castle in 1899 and 1902 respectively.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1976 and the New York State Register in 1980.
History
After Simeon Leland died in 1872, Mrs. Leland continued to live in the castle until 1880. In that year the castle's new owner, the Manhattan Life Insurance Company, leased the castle as a clubhouse for the Queens County Hunt Club. It later became a girls' school, and after a fire in 1897 it was sold to the Ursuline SistersUrsuline Sisters
Ursuline Sisters can refer to one of several religious orders:* Ursulines, founded in Italy in 1535* Society of the Sisters of Saint Ursula of the Blessed Virgin, established 1606...
.
The castle currently houses the administrative offices of the College of New Rochelle and the college's Castle Art Gallery.