The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-15
FORESTS Folly.
"Reminiscences of tho Construction of tho
Actors Castle, Recently Burned.

Actors Castle, Recently Burned.
The old Fonthill Castle Of the actor. Edwin
Forrest at Mount St Ninccnt--"Forrcst's Folly"
as it was called which burned recently, was
full Of romantic interest II was the dream Of
Forests life, which he was just about TO realize
when it was ended by the unfortunate estrange-
ment between him and his wife. lie was always
fond of the Hudson, and had decided in early life
that he would build his home upon Its banks II
he ever built one. In 1sI9. having accumulated
a small fortune from his work on the stage he
decided that the time had arrived for building
it. Accordingly. he purchased large tract OF
land for his estate He passionately In love
with his wife lie cared for her and her happi-
above all other things In life and everything
he did was to please her His first desire, then,
in building their home, was that she should be
satisfied After his wife he loved his profession,
and was thoughtful of 1t even in building his
home. He would build house which, after he
and his wife were both gone, should be an endu.
ing memorial Of his love for his fellow actors
Forrest and his wife planned the house together
They decided to model il. in general way, after
Fonthill Castle In England. The architectural
design was mostly the work of Mrs. Forrest. It
combined the Norman and Gothic STYLES Of the
older castle, softened in detail 80 as to provide
for the Injuries Of modern improvements The
castle consisted Of six octagonal towers dumped
toSelner, inc DdttlefncntS OF some notChed with
embrasurcs, the others capped with cornced
coping. The highest tower rose about seventy feet
from the base The Ave other towers varied in
height The basement contained the kitchen
cellar and storeroomS On the first floor were
the paror banquet hail. study bOudoir and
library. The centre tower comprised hall or
rotunda, and above this was a picture gallery
lighted from the dome The upper floors were
divided into chambers for guests and apartments
for servants.
The staircase tower had a spiral staircase OF
granite inserted in solid brick column rising
from the basement to the top of the tower with
landings on each floor leading to the apartments
In other towers. on the first floor were the draw
ing room and banquet hall. each lighted with
deep, square bay windows, while those OF the
upper chambers and Of the boudor were Of the
Gothic order In other parts OF the building
were 10 be Gcen the rounded windows of the Norman
period with their solid stone mullions dividing
the compartments again into pointed Gothic
loopholes and buttresses. The main entrance
was on the upper or land side 1t had fine door
way, needing only moat and drawbridge 10 give
II the air OF fortified castle
During the progress Of the building Of the castle
Forrest had improvtsed a rude residence the
grounds, which he visited at frequent intervals,
growing constantly moro deeply attached to the
spot and to his prospective home. On July 1,
1901, he gathered ms trends ana nelKlbOrS To
the number Of POO or more and held a celebration
on the grounds, reading the Declaration Of hide
pendence and delivering an Grafton
1t was Forrest = idea that Fonthll Castle should
be used, after his and his wife's death az home
for actors. 10 be called the Edwin Forrest Home
In the cornerstone of the castle he placed specimens
Of American coins, copy OF Shakespeare and
the following paper
In building this house | am impelled by no
vain desire 10 occupy grand mansion for the
qualification OF selflove but my object is to build
desirable, spacious and comfortable abode for
my sell and VILE, to serve during natural
lives and at our deaths to endow the building
with SUFFICIENT yearly income 50 that certain
number OF decayed or superannuated actors and
| actresses of American birth (dH foreigners sE.
| cIudedl may inhabit the mansion and enjoy the
| grounds theTeunto belonging long az they
live: and at the death Of any one Of the actors
| to be supplied by another from the theatrical
profession who from age or lnfrmity, may he
found unable 10 obtain a livelihood upon the
stage The rules and regulations by which TINS
| institution is to be governed will, at some future
| day. be formed by EDWARD FORREST
| TO this charity Forrest intended 10 devote his
entire property forever. II was hisldea, the
owing to its proximity to New York for the trustees
| 10 invest the surplus in an American Fanatic
school for the education Of poor but worthy young
Americans in the profession Of the stage or in the
But before Fonthnl was finished domestic
| troubles arose, Forrest was estranged from his
The sight Of tho castle became distastcful to him
| II was tho grave instead Of tho monument Of hi :
| happiness He ordered tho workmen 10 stop.
and closed i and the grounds II was not entered
| again until six years later, in 1857, when he sold
| the estate to the Sisters OF Charity for a mere
| song He gave them tho castle as il stead. II
alone had cost him 100000 Thus Fonthill
was not adapted 70 the purposes Of an academy
and II was devoted 10 Smuscu OF natural history.