Castle in the Clouds facts for kids
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Lucknow
(Castle in the Clouds) |
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The mansion overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 455 Old Mountain Rd, Moultonborough, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 5,294 acres (21.42 km2) |
| Built | 1913 |
| Built by | Thomas Gustave Plant |
| Architect | J. Williams Beal et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 100002642 (NRHP nomination) 100011375 (NHL designation) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 5, 2018 |
| Designated NHL | December 13, 2024 |
Castle in the Clouds is a beautiful 16-room mansion and a huge estate covering about 5,294 acres. It sits high up on a mountain in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. From this amazing spot, you can look out over Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains.
The Castle in the Clouds is also known as Lucknow. Today, it's open to the public during certain times of the year. It's a great place to visit and learn about history!
Contents
Building a Dream Home
Who Built the Castle?
The Castle in the Clouds was built between 1913 and 1914. A very rich shoe maker named Thomas Gustave Plant (1859–1941) had it built. He wanted to create a special home for his second wife, Olive Cornelia Dewey.
Why the Name Lucknow?
Thomas Plant named his estate Lucknow. No one is quite sure why he chose this name. He didn't have any known connection to the city of Lucknow in India. However, his wife, Olive, wrote a poem that might give us a clue. In her poem, she wrote, "In the twilit hall, by the open fire / Each one agrees, 'I'm in Luck Now at last'". This suggests the name might have been a fun play on words, meaning "luck now."
What Was There Before?
Before the mansion was built, the area was made up of different properties. These included a private park called Ossipee Mountain Park and a lookout spot known as the Crow's Nest. Thomas Plant bought these lands and removed the old buildings.
What Did Plant Build?
After clearing the land, Plant built the grand mansion. He also added many other buildings. These included a stable for horses (which also served as a garage), gatehouses, a greenhouse for plants, and farm buildings. He even built his own golf course! Eventually, his property grew to cover about 6,300 acres.
Cool Features of the Mansion
The house was designed by a famous architect from Boston named J. Williams Beal. His sons, John W. Beal and Horatio Beal, also helped. The mansion had many new and exciting features for its time. Imagine having a circular shower or a central vacuum system to clean the house! The kitchen even had special interlocking tiles. Many skilled artists and companies worked on the inside of the house, creating beautiful bronze, tile, and glass designs.
Life After Plant
Changes in Ownership
In the 1930s, Thomas Plant lost a lot of his money because of some bad investments. The bank took over his house, but they kindly let him continue living there until he passed away in 1941. All of his furniture and belongings stayed with the house.
After Plant's death, a man named Fred C. Tobey bought the property. He used it as a summer home for his family and also harvested wood from the forests.
Opening to the Public
In 1956, the estate was sold again to Richard and Donald Robie. They had a great idea: they decided to open the Castle in the Clouds as a tourist attraction! This allowed many people to visit and enjoy the beautiful mansion and its views.
The Castle Today
Today, the Castle in the Clouds is owned and managed by the Castle Preservation Society. This is a non-profit group dedicated to keeping the castle special for everyone.
You can visit the Castle, the Carriage House, the gift shop, an art gallery, and a cafe. It's usually open from late May to early October.
The property is very important historically. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. Then, on December 13, 2024, it was given an even higher honor: it was named a National Historic Landmark! This means it's recognized as one of the most important historical places in the United States.
