Originally called Lucknow, Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough sits on 6,300-acres developed in 1913 by Tomas G. Plant, a wealthy shoe manufacturer, to create a luxurious lifestyle.
“At the time, the estate featured state-of-the-art amenities, beautiful hand-made furnishings, and a large staff to run it,” explained Executive Director Charles Clark.
Today, visitors come from across the world to tour the mansion and exhibit gallery, dine in the Carriage House Restaurant or Café in the Clouds, and hike miles of trails maintained by Lakes Region Conservation Trust.
A founding member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, Castle in the Clouds has also become well known for its wide variety of events held year-round. This upcoming Labor Day Weekend is no exception, beginning with Castle Close-Up Tour: The Servant Experience on Friday, September 1 at 5:30 p.m.
“This special tour kicks off Labor Day Weekend and will highlight the many ways labor was involved in the building and operation of Lucknow,” said Clark. “It’s an interesting tour that explores the living quarters and workspaces of the estate staff in an effort to better understand the servant experience and their stories.”
On Monday, September 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Castle in the Clouds will host Labor Day Family Picnic & Mini Parade. At this event, visitors are invited to bring their own picnic lunch or purchase food on the property. During the picnic, visitors may participate in activities, including lawn games and make-your-own musical instruments, followed by a mini parade around the field at 1:45 p.m.
“If you want to participate, bring recycled materials, including cans, tissue boxes, paper towel rolls, bottles, jar lids, or anything else you think you could turn into an instrument,” Clark added.
Labor Day Weekend at Castle in the Clouds concludes with Putting Human Faces on the Textile Industry: The Workers of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company on Monday, September 4 at 5:00 p.m. During this presentation, made possible by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities: Humanities To Go program, guests will glean insights into the daily life of Amoskeag Manufacturing Company textile workers in the early 1900’s.
“It’s a fascinating look at how people from European countries and French Canada made the transition from an agrarian to an industrial society,” said Clark. “It’s a look into how these changes affected families, local cultures, the nature of work itself, and relationships among workers.”
In talking about their membership in the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, Clark said he hopes Castle in the Clouds can inspire visitors to visit other member institutions throughout New Hampshire.
“New Hampshire is full of history, and there is no better way to experience it than on the New Hampshire Heritage Trail,” he said.“All of our members feature professional staff, fun events, and inspiring programs. Some members, like us, also feature incredible natural scenery that can be explored by walking trails, so there is no shortage of things to do.”
In addition to Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, member institutions on The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail or any member institution, including Castle in the Clouds, click here.