Kip's Castle Park

Kip's Castle Park is a county park located in Verona and Montclair that contains a mansion built to resemble a medieval Norman castle alongside a separate carriage house structure. The grounds span several acres and include walking paths and open areas around these historic buildings.

The mansion was built in the early 1900s by Frederic Ellsworth Kip and his wife Charlotte, remaining in their family until her death in 1926. The location itself has deeper roots as a surveying point from 1817 that helped map New York Harbor.

The castle itself is named after one of the original owners who built it as a personal residence over a century ago. Today visitors can walk the grounds and see how the estate reflects the ambitions of wealthy families who shaped the area during that era.

The grounds are accessible from sunrise to sunset, and visitors can explore the outdoor areas at their own pace throughout these hours. Tours of the castle interior are being prepared, so check ahead to confirm when these will begin and plan your visit accordingly.

The site once hosted one of the earliest surveying points in the region that helped map the harbor and establish geographical reference points. This scientific past connects the property to the region's role in early American mapmaking efforts.

Location: Verona

Location: Montclair

Inception: 2007

Website: http://essexcountyparks.org/parks/kips-castle-park

GPS coordinates: 40.82930,-74.22490

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42