Wing's castle is man's home

By Peter Wing
For the Poughkeepsie Journal

Spencer Ainsley/Poughkeepsie Journal Peter Wing stands in front of his unique castle, built by himself over a 30-year period of time.

Being ejected from school at age 17, I joined the U.S. Navy and for truth in advertising, I did see a large part of the world - the entire Mediterranean region, the length and breadth of this nation, and a war in Southeast Asia.

The war allowed me to view man at his worst and best, to see that life can be very short and unexpected, that I would prize life and all about me, that I would try not to waste what providence had given me.

Many cultures and styles of architecture left an unbelievable impression on me.

Toni Ann and I started Wing’s Castle in 1969 — with initial help from her father and my cousin, Len Gates. We moved into the cellar when it was finished. The question now: Why did we create it? I have tried to answer this question to no avail. However, it may well be the Hudson’s vista — the mind and spirit soar, imagination takes flight up here. Look over history: the Dutch, French, English colonists, fighting to hold it; Native Americans probably did the same among themselves. The sunsets of color can stir you on.

When the castle was about half finished 15 years ago, it started to draw curious tourists, art students and now people from all walks of life.

The castle is built with about 80 percent used or recycled materials. A lack of money in the beginning led us that way. Some have called it a symphony of stone, a fairy tale, inspirational and Freudian symbolism. Whatever it is to anyone is exactly what it should be.

I’m finishing a garden complex and small court that bed-and-breakfast guests can enjoy. There are stone angels, faces, Greek gods and strong Asian and Spanish influences. The castle proper was finished eight years ago. The garden complex has taken that long so far, with another two years to complete. As I walk the paths of the first construction, vines and flowers and birds have overtaken it. It seems it has always been there.

I, too, sometimes would like to meet again the person who built it, for he was a youth and in his prime. According to the Bard, I’ve entered the pantaloon stage of life. It all is still a wonder to me, and maybe, perhaps, why I continue.

The Annandale Shakespeare Troupe performs the summer children’s festival here, using the castle as a background - it is what it should be for the better in us all.

Peter Wing, an artist, and his wife, Toni Ann, continue to operate and build Wing’s Castle in Millbrook.