Joslyn Castle & Gardens — Attraction in Omaha

A Snowy Morning at Joslyn Castle: A Private Tour

Our recent visit to the Joslyn Castle in Omaha turned into an unforgettable adventure, thanks to an unexpected twist. It was a snowy morning, and I hadn’t thought to check whether the castle was open before we left. Upon arrival, we learned from the kind groundskeeper that the castle was closed for the day. But instead of turning us away, he offered us a private tour—an incredible gesture that made the day magical.

As we stepped inside the castle, it was like stepping back in time. Built in 1903 by George and Sarah Joslyn, this Scottish Baronial mansion boasts 35 rooms, intricate woodwork, stained-glass windows, and stunning craftsmanship. The Joslyns were philanthropists, and their legacy still shines through the castle’s historical charm.

Our guide shared some fascinating secrets about the castle: • The Hidden Passageways: The Joslyn Castle has a few concealed doors and passageways, designed to maintain the home’s aesthetics while providing practical access to different areas. • The Conservatory: One of my favorite stops was the glass conservatory, which was originally home to lush plants and a fountain. On snowy mornings, it must have been a warm, peaceful retreat for the Joslyns. • The Ballroom Stories: The third-floor ballroom has witnessed many lively events, from charity balls to private parties. Its grand design still whispers of the elegance of days gone by. • The Library’s Secret Panel: There’s a rumor of a hidden panel in the library that once concealed valuable items—adding a touch of mystery to its storied past.

We ended our tour by exploring the snowy grounds, which felt enchanting under the soft, white blanket. Knowing the effort and care the groundskeeper took to ensure our visit wasn’t in vain made this day even more special.

If you’re ever in Omaha, I highly recommend visiting the Joslyn Castle (maybe check their hours first, though!). Its history and beauty are captivating, and if you’re lucky, you might uncover a few secrets...

Since my announcement last week regarding the book signing next month, I decided a tour of the Joslyn mansion or castle as it is referred to, would give me a better understanding of the building, grounds, and the history behind the Joslyn Museum. George and Sarah Joslyn, were a young couple under thirty years of age. As natives of Vermont, they were the part of a wave of new entrepreneurs that were looking to achieve their best in life after the completion of the transcontinental railroad. After Georges' first job in a printing firm in Des Moines, IA in 1879, he made smart business decisions and investments that placed him in areas that allowed growth and fortune. On 5.5 acres of land, a Scottish Baronial Architecture Mansion would be a future dream. With the design hand of architect John McDonald and his suspected Scottish ancestry influence, the 35 room, four story house would take 10-11 months of construction and interior design to bring their dream to life. Builders used gorgeous and varied carved woods shipped in from different countries and stained glass for some of the windows. Mosaic tiles for the interior while Kansas Silverdale limestone created the outer building . The mansion, which was referred to as a “castle” by onlookers due to its small turrets and crenellations, is now on the National Register of Historic Places. With the death of her husband George in 1916, Sarah remained a strong influence and contributor to many charities and businesses in Omaha. In 1929, the Joslyn Memorial, a tribute to her husband, became a public cultural institution for the visual and performing arts. Known today as the Joslyn Art Museum, this is considered by many as Sarah’s most important and greatest gift...

My wife and I were going to attend a murder mystery dinner at the Joslyn Castle we live in Iowa and the Castle is in Omaha which is fine a few hours away . The day came for the dinner that started at 6 pm at 4 pm I received an e mail that it had been cancelled just two hours before the event we travelled from Iowa to Nebraska checked into a hotel and was in costume for this event now one would think that if due to weather related problemsthey could have cancelled this early in the day rather than let people drive knowing it was bad weather . I waited for an answer as to how they were going to handle refunds etc then received a letter stating they wanted us to donate the cost of the dinner etc as they were booked full for the rest of the year REALLY after I drove two hours and got a hotel I was in the hole already for two hundred dollars then after it was cancelled we needed to start thinking about something to eat as this was a dinner show as well now I was not upset about the cancellation just the very late e mIl and I am sure my wife and I are not the only ones who experienced this as they were booked for the night how many others did this happen to . The dinner was in January and just received refund !!!!! Wow never again will I attempt to attend a function at this so called castle !!! Yes I hope they read this review and maybe fix a problem that should have never happened in the first place but it just seemed like the folks running this place simply dont care w have been to numerous murder mysteries and this is the first problem I have had !!!! Thanks for letting me vent and I hope the other folks from that night write a...