Castle Gardens

09/30/2022

Just a friendly reminder, tomorrow at 10 AM is our final public Tour of 2022. Only 3 tickets remain. We really enjoy sharing our magnificent home’s history. Everyone who has joined us for a Tour this year, thank you all so much!

09/25/2022

Our last Castle Home and Garden Tour is this Saturday! Tour begins at 10 AM and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Tickets available at our website (link in comments). We hope you can make it!

09/22/2022

We sure have been busy workers lately. Many exterior projects are getting checked off our to-do list. Here’s a sample of what we have been up to.

09/13/2022

Please join Castle Gardens and Beyond Normal LLC on September 24th from 4-6 PM as we team up to host an afternoon of wine tasting and exploring!

Beyond Normal will treat you to some wines perfectly suited for fall and winter. Wine may be purchased by the glass or bottle. Enjoy some time with friends trying fabulous wines and seeing the gardens in their autumn splendor!

Tasting will be done in the air condition Carousel Barn. Event will happen rain or shine! We hope you can join us. Admission is $5 per person at admittance.

08/15/2022

Check out our Chenoa neighbors. Looking great!

Our new landscaping looks great! We are the Yard of the Month for August. Come check us out on Sundays 2 to 4 pm for a tour.

07/13/2022

EVENT NOTICE • Join us this Saturday from 4-6 PM for a taste of some amazing wines in the beautiful setting of Castle Gardens. Wine Tasting will be provided by Beyond Normal. You can purchase a glass or buy a bottle of a lovely boutique wine. Tasting will be done in the Carousel Barn which is nicely air conditioned. Tour the lovely gardens and prairie landscapes at Castle Gardens in Lexington, IL. Event will happen rain or shine! We hope you can make it. Admission is $5 per person at admittance.

06/28/2022

Castle Home and Garden Tour is this Saturday at 10 AM. Bring a friend! Link to ticket information in Comments.

06/28/2022

Castle Home and Garden Tour is this Saturday at 10 AM. Bring a friend! Link to ticket information in Comments.

05/23/2022

Our first peonies are opening for the season. We can’t wait for their big show. 🌸 what is your favorite flower?

05/15/2022

What’s blooming in the gardens this beautiful mid May afternoon? Well, here are a few of our lovelies. We hope you all have a great day! Next Castle Home and Garden Tour is Saturday, June 3. Tickets available online.

05/09/2022

Our plant delivery is here! This is the first time for a branded semi, and we LIKE it! Time to get digging.

04/25/2022

More Lexington history Red Carpet weekend!

GET A PEEK INSIDE THE FRANKLIN MANSION!

It’s part of the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor events on May 7. We have set up ticket sales online on our webpage at lexingtonillinoisfort.org to make it easy!

Activities include: 1) Do It Yourself DRIVING TOUR of Lexington's Route 66 points of interest $5
2) 10 am to 2 pm HOUSE AND BUILDING TOUR - 10 sites for $15
3) 3 pm Debut Concert of LEXINGTON CORNET BAND $15
PACKAGE DEAL - tickets for all 3 - just $25

04/25/2022

If you haven’t already you must drive by and view our abundant magnolia blooms, it looks better than it ever has. But it isn’t going to last. Our first tours are in less than two weeks. Tickets are selling quickly!

04/08/2022

Last August Adam and Danielle said "I do" at Castle Gardens. We are so grateful they agreed to share some of their beautiful memories with us! August 7 was the perfect day for a wedding. Don't you agree? Photography by Ariel

04/01/2022

The 1950 Allen Herschell C & M Carousel is up and running. Our 10 year restoration journey is complete! This is the only antique carousel downstate Illinois. The C & M Carousel is available for your special event.

03/14/2022

Have you heard? Six incredible historic homes teaming up to share events and information. How convenient! Like McLean County Heritage Homes on Route 66 today!

03/02/2022

So much interesting information about McLean County’s early settlers/visionaries. If you haven’t been, we highly recommend you schedule a tour!

Funk Prairie Home Museum open for the season March 1st!
Phone us for a tour appointment at: 309-827-6792

Updated safety protocols:
-Mask are recommended, but not required.
-If you are exhibiting symptoms or have a temperature above 100.4, please do not visit the museum.

09/27/2021

While taking advantage of our great weather Hawkins Painting painted the porch ceiling. We couldn’t be happier with their care in protecting the Castle, in scraping and prepping surfaces, and in how quickly they wrapped up this project. Looks great, don’t you agree? Our last tour of 2021 is this Saturday, we hope you can make it. Tickets available on our website.

09/22/2021

Personal Touch Sewing is on our Preferred List of Vendors for dresses and alterations. Great product great people.

Are you planning a winter wedding? Book your seamstress now to secure your spot for 2022!

I typically recommend 12-14 weeks prior to begin alterations, although we can start sooner if you prefer.

At your first appointment you will want to bring dress, shoes and any undergarments you plan to wear. We will discuss alterations needed, timeline for appointments and estimate.

I look forward to hearing from 2022 Brides!

08/25/2021

We are always working on projects around the Castle. Next big project on our list includes tuck pointing the parapets and chimneys. While we have a bucket lift on site we’re also cleaning up damage to trees from last winter’s storms, painting trim, and cleaning the limestone accents. Check out the before and after pictures of the north balcony. Wow! What a difference. Our next tour is Saturday, September 4 at 10 AM. We hope you can make it.

08/12/2021

Photo taken this morning by Tim Lindenbaum. Wow!

08/11/2021

This Saturday from 4 - 6 PM.
We hope you can join us.

08/04/2021

We are excited to announce that the door to the ‘ladies den’ is getting the attention it deservingly needed! A chronic water issue has been resolved allowing us to focus on restoring the door. We thought you might like to know and wanted to keep you inform. This is one of the 102 doors in the Castle. Notice in the pictures how many narrow 1 inch pieces were layered to create the frame of the door. The narrow pieces are alternating grains of wood. The process of alternating the grain of wood makes the door stronger. There will be veneer over the layering so we snapped a picture so you could see what it looks like. In addition to the wood work we are polishing the brass k***s and hinges so they shine!

We can’t wait for the restoration to be complete and for you to visit us to see it in its grandeur!

07/29/2021

Join us Saturday, August 14 from 4-6 PM for “A TASTE” OF THE CASTLE. Beyond Normal LLC will be pouring their delicious selections of wine! $5 per person at the gate. We hope you can make it!

07/21/2021

You are invited to

“A TASTE” OF THE CASTLE

Wine tasting at Castle Gardens

Presented by;
Beyond Normal LLC and Castle Gardens

Date: August 14, 2021 4-6 pm
1290 P. J. Keller Hwy. (white gate)
Lexington, IL
Rain or Shine

Tasting will be held in the beautiful air conditioned Carousel Barn.

Joyce Hightower and her staff will be serving margarita agave wines
As well as red & white, sweet & dry wines

Bring a lawn chair or blanket or enjoy a glass of wine on the front porch or in any of the numerous gardens and prairie landscape.

Your hosts Chuck & Mary Beth Wright will be available to talk about gardens and all things about “The Castle”

Admission $5 per person collected at the gate.
Please no outside alcohol.

07/13/2021

Today we had the honor of hosting the Classic Car Club of America Indiana Region at Castle Gardens. Guests were treated to a Castle Tour, carousel rides, and a luncheon. 13 states were represented today as well as hundreds of years of classic cars. We are so honored to be a part of this special event! Video by Julie Hilton

07/13/2021

Picnic indoors! Take your guests for a ride on the beautiful C & M Carousel. Create an event everyone will remember. Plan your special event today.

07/10/2021

Castle Gardens is perfect for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Celebrations of Life, and Showers. Consider us for you next special event.

07/02/2021

Guided Castle Home and Garden Tour tomorrow morning at 10 AM. Beautiful inside and out! Come see for yourself. Tickets $25, link to tickets in comments. We hope you can make it.

06/20/2021

Congratulations Jade and Mason! Thank you for choosing Castle Gardens for your most special day. We loved working with you!