Castle in Clouds Sold
to Lakes Region Conservation Trust

The 5,400 acres and mansion of the Lucknow estate in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, has been sold to the preservation organization, the Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT).

The Trust was established in 1979 in New Hampshire as a 501(c) not-for-profit corporation for the purpose of protecting the lands of the lake region in central New Hampshire. By 2001, the Trust held about 10,000 acres in stewardship. LRCT is headquartered in Meredith, New Hampshire.

An agreement was reached in 2001 for the Trust to purchase the Castle in the Clouds property for $5,900,000 in three payments. As of September, 2001, the Trust met its first two payments, totalling about $5,200,000. Of the remaining $700,000, LRCT has raised $250,000 in pledges and cash and was confident of raising the remainder by the December 15 deadline.

When the purchase is completed, the Trust will keep the property open to the public while it studies the property and makes long-range plans.

The President of LRCT, Tom Curren, was quoted in the regional newspaper, The Laker, as stating:

"We won't be making management decisions until the studies are completed and we have actually made the final payment, but people should know that LRCT has a basic commitment to public access on the property, and to continued use of the buildings as a tourist attraction and site for special occasions."

Karen Barenger, the general manager of LRCT, told The Laker that the Trust hoped to expand winter activities at the estate.

The Castle Springs bottling plant has been sold separately. It continues under private operation on the estate property.

Please visit the preservation trust's website, Lakes Region Conservation Trust, and the Castle's preservation website, Castle in the Clouds. The websites have current contact information.

Information for this note provided by Ted Jones, "Castle in the Clouds, a New Hampshire Treasure, Now Preserved for All Time," The Laker, August 25, 2003; Kathy Eaton, "Trust Vows to Preserve Castle in the Clouds as Public Attraction," The Laker, September 1, 2003; "Clouds in Final Home Stretch," The Laker (September 2003?). Also, personal communication from Don Perry, LRCT Board, of Marblehead, Mass. My appreciation to Jan and David Tobey for sending me clippings of The Laker articles.