Singer Castle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 09, 2005

"Singer Castle's Tea Room New for 2005"

This season's visitors at Singer Castle are in for a treat, literally.
The staff and owners of Singer Castle, located near Chippewa Bay, invite visitors to their newly restored Tea Room, whose hardwood floors have been refinished to yesteryear's elegance. Curtains, plants, and new round pedestal tables and high-back chairs have been added for a new program, “Afternoon Tea.” Visitors will be able to enjoy tea in delicate china cups with a selection of finger sandwiches, signature Singer Castle pastries created by a local bakery, and chocolate-dipped fruit.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, visitors can dine in the Tea Room at noon and 3:00PM. A minimum of four adults will be needed to open the room for the program. Each guest will be offered a pot of freshly made tea from a selection of herb, fruit, breakfast, English, and exotic teas. After savoring his or her first cup of tea, the visitor will enjoy scones made by a local bakery. Following this will be a selection of finger sandwiches, including Singer Castle's specialty cucumber sandwich. Ah, and then the sweets! Three different pastries will be enjoyed by the lucky diner, and topping it all off, chocolate-dipped fruit. All the while, soft music will be playing in the background while guests enjoy the ambiance of the castle's surroundings, viewing both the Canadian channel and the American Seaway, where ships pass by seemingly close enough to almost touch.

According to Joyce Cattelane, Singer Castle spokesperson, “people have told us that they've loved their tours of the castle and wanted to come back and experience Dark Island in another way. Having them enjoy our afternoon tea accomplishes that goal. This castle was built for entertaining and good times, and it's very possible that similar teas were enjoyed here in just the same way 100 years ago. We are delighted to offer this experience to our visitors, and we hope that they'll come back again and again.” Kaitlin Murphy, Tea Room Manager, added, “the view from the Tea Room is magnificent with glass on three sides. Our guests will feel as if they're been transported to a different time.”
Tickets for this 45-minute experience are available at the Singer Castle Gift Shop, and private boaters are also welcome.

Built in 1905 by Frederick G. Bourne, the fourth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, this five-story granite castle with Spanish red tile roofs near Chippewa Bay has been open to the public under the current owners since 2003.

The castle, originally known as The Towers, took two years to complete and the original owners lived in it for 60 years, and most of the original furniture and antiques are still on the island. When the Owners Association of Dark Island Tours, Inc. purchased the castle in 2002, their goal was to recreate the historical accuracy of the Bourne era for future visitors, and they have worked hard to make this happen. All admissions monies are used for further restoration efforts.

The castle is open for guided tours daily from 10:00AM to 5:00PM until mid October. Interested parties can call (877) 327-5475 or visit the castle's website at www.singercastle.com for more information.