membership
The Joslyn Castle Trust, Inc. perpetuates the goals of Sarah Joslyn by serving as an advocate for 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 seeks to generate awareness, foster appreciation, and attract financial support to preserve and restore the buildings and grounds.
Annual memberships of the Joslyn Castle Trust support ongoing Castle activities. In return, members receive free access to Castle tours, invitations to special events, updates of plans and events through the Castle Watch newsletter, and discounts on Castle rental and purchased items.
The Joslyn Castle Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to the management, restoration and preservation of one of Omaha’s grandest historic properties.
Located at 3902 Davenport Street, the Castle is an anchor of Omaha’s Historic Gold Coast District. Construction of this five and one-half acre estate began in 1893, making it one of Omaha’s oldest and largest surviving private estates.
The Trust is dedicated, not only to the preservation of the residence, but to the restoration of its historic grounds and gardens.
Joslyn Castle is used today for cultural and educational purposes. Regularly scheduled events at the Castle include:
- Tour groups from across the country
- Conferences, board meetings, corporate lunches, receptions and parties
- Art shows, garden shows and lectures on historic topics
- Annual fund-raisers:
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Spring and Fall Concert Series Spring Gala - Weddings and wedding receptions
The Castle is also the first historic Landmark Site of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. The grounds contain a display garden for Easy Elegance roses, which are planted in the Earth-Kind manner.
- Restoration of the walls and ceiling in Sarah Joslyn’s morning room
- Restoration of the ceiling, walls and light fixtures in the drawing room
- Restoration of all exterior windows and painting of trim
- Restoration of exterior and interior entryways, including the walls of the grand staircase
- Renovation of the third floor ballroom
- Modernization of kitchen facility
When you purchase a Joslyn Castle Corporate Membership, you help support the continuing renovation and restoration of the property
- Resurface parking lots – estimated cost $35,000
- Install sprinkler system – estimated cost $90,000
- Restore dining room; remove wall paper, recreate original mural, reproduce historic chandelier – estimated cost $40,000
- Refurbish two bedrooms for the Children’s Program; Violet’s room and a servant’s room – estimated cost $12,000
- Rebuild playhouse, including a children’s garden and play area – estimated cost -- $10,000
- Restore walls in library and den – estimated cost $25,000
- Refurnish ballroom as a museum for Joslyn archives – estimated cost $15,000
