Completed in 1887, The Castle at Fort Totten served as the base Officers Mess Hall and Club for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers School of Application. Perhaps the greatest significance of The Castle is the direct architectural tribute it pays to the emblem of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who centered most of their activities at Willet’s Point from 1866 to 1902.

The Castle in Fort Totten is one of the finest surviving examples in New York City of the Gothic Revival castellated style architecture. This architectural style was developed in Great Britain in the mid-1700s and brought to this country in the early 1800s. The popularity of the Gothic Revival style marked a turning away from earlier classical styles based on the building of ancient Greece and Rome. Gothic style features present in The Castle exteriors include octagonal crenelated corner towers, lower central gatehouse, and drip molds over the windows.

In 1982, when the Army considered relinquishing parts of Fort Totten, then-Senator Frank Padavan, a retired US Army Corps of Engineer Officer who had served as Chief of Staff at Fort Totten, assisted the Bayside Historical Society (BHS) in leasing and beginning restoration of the building in 1984. BHS has been caring for The Castle ever since. BHS docents will provide tours of The Castle that cover the history of the building and it's restoration, current use of the building, including a local archeology room, review of artifacts from the early 1900s, and more. Visitors will have access to current exhibits, including "From Backyard to Boulevard: The Bell Family Legacy."

Sunday Tours: 12-4pm

Tours led by BHS docents will occur at least hourly, or when 15 people are present. Tours are 45 minutes each.

Family Programming: The Archeology Exhibit Room and Victorian Children's Play Room will both be open, including the current exhibit, "From Backyard to Boulevard: The Bell Family Legacy." The exhibit covers contributions from the Bell Family from the early 1880's through the 1960's. The exhibit covers many buildings, homes, and businesses associated with the Bells through a map from 1928. Some of the buildings no longer remain, but those that are landmarked will encourage further exploration. Tours will explore real artifacts and include a trivia game with the audience about their use.

The tour takes place on the main and second floor of The Castle. A chair lift is available for access to the second floor. A ramp is available for access to the main floor in the back of the building. Please call Bayside Historical Society at 718-352-1548 for more information on building accessibility.