New Jersey has been home to a surprising number of castles over the years, several of which still stand. Each castle offers a unique history, though some are more intriguing than others. Merriwold (Merriewold) Castle in Highland Park was built by J. Seward Johnson, son of pharmaceutical magnate Robert Wood Johnson (of Johnson & Johnson) as a gift for his wife. The couple's daughter was nearly kidnapped from the home, but the intruder was caught. This eerie tale pales in comparison to the story of Kip's Castle.

Kip's Castle Exterior

Kip's Castle is a 9,000-square-foot estate whose 11-acre grounds span two towns, Montclair and Verona. Built in 1905 by textile baron Frederic Kip, it originally served as a private residence. After his wife passed in 1926, the home was sold to Signono Munoz who earned his fortune in the oil industry. The home remained a private residence until the 1980s.

Looking Towards The Tower

In 1980, the home was sold to Indian guru, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh... That's when things got weird. The castle was converted to a compound, home to a cult promoting sexual liberation. They even took out ads in local papers promoting sex as a form of therapy. According to locals, their strange rituals startled neighbors. The cult was based out of the castle for nearly 5 years, during which time they sold off the property's stunning stained glass windows.

Archway

The cult eventually relocated to Oregon, leaving the castle to fall into a state of disarray. The cult's leader and several members were convicted of crimes ranging from tax evasion to attempted murder. In 1985, the property was purchased by a law firm. Over the span of about 20 years, the castle was restored. In 2006, the castle, carriage house, and property were sold to the Essex County Parks System.

Entrance And Greenery

Upper floors now house county offices while the lower floors and grounds can be rented for photography, filming and private events. A popular and surprisingly affordable wedding venue, up to 50 guests are allowed in the castle for $250 (up to two hours). The park commission also holds regular events at the castle and on the property. On September 20th, a five-part series began on the history of Essex County Parks - the first county park system in the nation!

The first floor of Kip's Castle is open for self-guided tours Tuesday through Friday from noon to 3 pm. It's such a treat to visit this treasure, as many of New Jersey's castles are closed to the public. Of course, you can always visit Skylands and the surrounding gardens. For other castles in New Jersey, see my previous post: Most People Don’t Know That These 9 Castles Are Hiding In New Jersey.