Kips Castle

Kip's Castle, is a estate (8 acres in Verona, in Montclair) on the ridge of First Mountain, on the border of Montclair and Verona townships. It contains a mansion that replicates a medieval Norman castle, and a two-story carriage house. Originally built as a private residence, current plans for the estate include housing offices for various administrative functions for Essex County. However, the Castle's true purpose is to evolve into the County's premiere cultural resource center, supporting and promoting arts and culture throughout our region. Meeting space will be available for conservancies, community groups, and non-profit organizations. A calendar of ongoing educational programming will be developed, and museum space will be created to showcase the history of the Essex County Park System. A twelve-member Advisory Board has been formed to provide recommendations about not only how to maintain and restore the estate, but also to develop ideas as to how this property can grow into a cultural asset for the community.