Last Friday and Saturday, we stayed at Stronghold Castle along with about 60 other people. Mr. Strong built this Tudor-style castle as a summer home in 1928-29. Some other buidings on the grounds include a bunkhouse, guardhouse, and carriage house , but of course, the Castle is the best place to stay!
The view from the river side.
The entrance to the Long Hall.
Kelli A.
Some of our friends arrived early to help us get the Castle ready for the arrival of our other guests. Rachel and Helena hung white lights in the Great Hall.
Mr. Kalebaugh and Ava 
Preparing the rooms...
Crystal in the Tower
Preparing the rooms...Crystal in the TowerNext it was time to get into costume!
Helena and Ava with Mel and I
Sandy and Kelli--beautiful dresses, ladies!
Mom made 10 costumes for our family and a few others. Jason had two outfits; he started off with his jester costume and changed into his lordly finery later on.
Once people started to arrive, Melody began the first part of the tour in the Long Hall.
In the Guard Room, the windows were purposefully made long and narrow like they would have been in medieval days to protect the archers from the enemy. 
In the Guard Room, the windows were purposefully made long and narrow like they would have been in medieval days to protect the archers from the enemy. Has Helena found her "knight in shining armor"?
Mr. Strong hired a Russian immigrant to paint the murals in the castle when he stayed with Strongs during the Depression. 
Behind one of the bookcases in the library was a secret chapel!
The stained glass window in the chapel tells the story of Creation.
The Bible in the chapel.
The last tour guide was Jester Jason. I think he had fun making up some of his facts. Some of the information he shared may have been embellished a bit, but he was a jester, right?
The tour ended in the dining room.
After the tours, we all headed to the Great Hall for supper.
We had our camera with us and did take a few pictures, but I have to thank Crystal for sharing all her photos with us. I knew we wouldn't have time to take many pictures, so asked her to take on the job. Any of you that know her, know that it is no sacrifice for her! ;-) I won't tell you how many pictures she took (!!!), but it's one of the reasons this post is a week late! I'm still wading through them all trying to pick which ones to post! 
Well, that's it for Part 1. More to come!!!
Mr. Strong hired a Russian immigrant to paint the murals in the castle when he stayed with Strongs during the Depression. The library ceiling
Behind one of the bookcases in the library was a secret chapel!
The stained glass window in the chapel tells the story of Creation.The Bible in the chapel. After leaving the chapel, Sir Bret led the group through next section of the castle.
I don't remember if this is the Wicker Room or the Sun Room. I didn't get a chance to go on the tour since I was busy with other things!
The last tour guide was Jester Jason. I think he had fun making up some of his facts. Some of the information he shared may have been embellished a bit, but he was a jester, right?As you go up the circular stairs in the Tower, each level is painted with the story of Rumplestiltskin.
The tour ended in the dining room.After the tours, we all headed to the Great Hall for supper.We had our camera with us and did take a few pictures, but I have to thank Crystal for sharing all her photos with us. I knew we wouldn't have time to take many pictures, so asked her to take on the job. Any of you that know her, know that it is no sacrifice for her! ;-) I won't tell you how many pictures she took (!!!), but it's one of the reasons this post is a week late! I'm still wading through them all trying to pick which ones to post! Well, that's it for Part 1. More to come!!! 
6 comments:
The wonderful weekend at the castle might be over, but now we get the fun of looking at everyone's pictures! :) We had such a fun time! :D
~Mandie
Looks like it was a smashing party!! Wish we could have come to join in the fun! I really like the last few pictures of you and your sister! Very gorgeous dresses!
Thank you so much for putting the pictures up so we could at least get a glimpse of the festivity!
awww looks like you guys had lots of fun! Looking forward to the next installment of pictures:-)
Wonderful pictures to remember a very special time!
Great post! :) My family & I enjoyed our time there and we greatly appreciate the work that you and your family put into it! Looking forward to your other posts on it.
~Dawn
I just have to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all your hard work in putting the castle event together! We had SO much fun, and couldn't stop talking about it. I think everyone had a marvelous time, and you made it delightful, down to every little gracious detail. What happy memories! - Lady G.
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