General Information
The Joslyn Castle Trust, Inc. perpetuates the goals of Sarah Joslyn by serving as an advocate of this magnificent property. Sarah’s instruction was to use the house to educate and enhance the cultural aspects of the Omaha community. In order to do this, the Trust, until 2008 an association called The Friends of Joslyn Castle, seeks to generate awareness, foster appreciation, and attract financial support to preserve and restore the buildings and grounds.
The Trust works with the surrounding neighborhood associations including Destination Midtown, to ensure the preservation and attractiveness of the area. The Castle grounds are a popular location for events and bring a sense of community to those living in the vicinity.
The Trust has a professionally prepared master plan for restoration of the estate, and bases its quest for major funding upon the plan.
Annual memberships support ongoing Castle activities. In return, members receive free access to Castle tours, invitations to special events, and updates of plans and events through the Castle Watch newsletter.
In 1903, Nebraska’s wealthiest couple, George and Sarah Joslyn, completed one of Nebraska’s greatest homes—a 35-room Scottish Baronial mansion atop a hill on Omaha’s outskirts.
The four-story house was completed at a cost of $250,000—about $6 million in 21St Century dollars. The pace of construction—11 months—was amazing, given the rich use of carved wood, stained glass, chiseled stone, mosaic tiles, and wrought iron.
The Castle and the carriage house were built of Vermont silverdale limestone.
The Castle includes a reception hall, music room, ballroom, a library and gold drawing room. The basement at one time had a bowling alley. With the addition of a music room in 1906, the house totaled 19,360 square feet. An interior conservatory was designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen in 1913.
George Joslyn died in 1916, in his sixties. Sarah lived on the 5.5-acre estate until her death in 1940 at age 88. From 1944 to 1989, the home served as the headquarters of the Omaha Public Schools. To preserve the integrity of this architectural treasure, the State of Nebraska took title 20 years ago. While the state retains ownership, this icon of early Omaha today is managed by the Joslyn Castle Trust.
When Sarah Joslyn died in 1940, the Joslyn Arts Society was entrusted with finding a suitable occupant. In 1944 the Castle became the headquarters of the Omaha Public School system. In 1989 the school system moved to a larger facility in the former Technical High School building at 30th and Cuming Streets. The Castle then became the property of the State of Nebraska.
Joslyn Castle was the 1990 American Society of Interior Design (ASID)/Omaha Symphony Designer Showhouse and received extensive restoration.
The castle is an Omaha Landmark Historic Structure, and on the National Register of Historic Places.
