The Seventh Generation Principle, rooted in an ancient philosophy of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Iroquois), encourages stewardship by compelling us to consider our intergenerational impact. It urges us to live and work for the seventh generation that follows us and to honor the seventh generation that preceded us. With its rich 120-year history, Joslyn Castle & Gardens stands as a testament to the significance of thoughtful preservation, embodying the essence of this timeless principle.
Completed in 1903, Joslyn Castle remains a reflection of its original owners, George and Sarah Joslyn. As Omaha’s first millionaires and philanthropists, the Joslyns believed in the power of wealth as a force for good, shaping and funding the city’s arts scene with their generosity. Today, the Scottish Baronial mansion’s meticulously preserved 30+ rooms and sprawling gardens are a reminder of the Joslyns’ enduring impact on the community.
As stewards of the iconic Midtown property, the Castle’s current staff maintains a rigorous schedule of diverse arts and cultural programming under the leadership of Executive Director Amy Richardson. From musical performances and art shows to educational lectures and tours, the Castle’s calendar reflects the Joslyns’ belief in the power of cultural engagement, honoring their legacy while embracing the opportunities of today.
“We maintain the Castle and its beautiful green space the same way the Joslyns did—everyone is welcome, whether you’re a farmer wearing overalls or dressed in a mink coat,” Richardson said. “The key to ensuring the succession and sustainability of the Castle is making sure our community engagement is on all levels.”
The new Castle and Cathedral Arts District is the most recent initiative reflecting their commitment to engage with the surrounding community. Much of the Castle’s programming is based on direct feedback from people expressing what they want to see, Richardson said. Today, the Castle holds the prestigious status of being an Omaha Landmark Historic Structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its national significance, while its grounds are recognized as part of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
“When Sarah Joslyn died, she left this house with a mandate that it wouldn’t be a private family home or business, but rather, serve a greater civic purpose,” Kelli Bello, director of development and outreach, said. “When we design programming, we always think of ways we can engage with our neighbors and our city the way she did.”
Bello added that a majority of today’s programming reflects the Joslyns’ interest in music, art, theater, literature, and environmental stewardship, now hosted across the property and its 5.75-acres of gardens. Other initiatives cater to children and families, all in line with the spirit of community and fellowship that the Joslyns championed.
The gardens, Bello said, are a picturesque green space with great historical significance. Open daily for public enjoyment, visitors can stroll along curved paths, admire seasonal floral displays, and relax under majestic old trees. Families and friends can gather for picnics on the wide lawns, maintaining the naturalistic charm of the property.
“We’re very intentional about maintaining this green space,” Richardson said. “Without its liveliness, the Castle could potentially be one of those places that gets boarded up and opens only a few times a year—but this space has a much greater purpose.”
Bello expressed how remarkable it is for garden maintenance to be entirely run by volunteers, considering the nearly six acres of grounds they have to cover. “We work so hard to not only make this a thriving destination, but to also physically keep it standing. The property is over 120 years old; it’s aging. We have old house problems, and they get expensive.”
Joslyn Castle’s involvement in the Castle and Cathedral Arts District, spanning from Cuming to Dodge streets and Saddle Creek Road to 38th Street, echoes this goal to build partnerships with its surrounding neighbors. Teaming up with Cali Commons, the Cathedral Arts Project, and the Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Association, the Castle is part of a collaborative effort to promote economic growth and cultural vitality through the arts. Alongside Benson, it stands as the only other certified creative district in the area.
“We’re different from other arts districts I’ve seen across the state in that we’re not only a historic district—we’re also residential,” Richardon said. “We’re not a bunch of galleries or bars and restaurants, and we love that difference.”
“The district is a way of encouraging more local artists to stay in the area,” John Paul, community engagement liaison and liaison for the Creative Arts District, explained. “It also encourages other creatives to move in, because they want to be part of this vibrancy, as do businesses who’d like to strengthen their civil participation.”
Supported by a $250,000 grant from the Nebraska Arts Council, initiatives like the artist-in-residency program, spearheaded by its first artist, Watie White, are bringing more art to the heart of the neighborhood. White’s residency, centered on creating hand-drawn portraits of community members, serves as a catalyst for future endeavors within the district. These portraits will be displayed throughout various establishments across the district.
“Portraits are a way of immediately engaging with people,” remarked White, who will host both a district-wide art show and a show at the Castle by the end of the year. “In the end, I’ll be able to give the drawings to all the people who have modeled for them, which means they walk away with a tangible thing that connects them to this area.”
White encountered some of his black-and-white portrait subjects at a local cafe, while others were visitors of Joslyn Castle, where he works from a naturally-lit room on the second floor. The smiling face of a neighborhood mailman, alongside others he has met while walking the neighborhood, is one of many on the portrait-covered wall in White’s studio. “He was so thrilled to pose for me and be part of this project,” said White, smiling, of the postal carrier.
“What Watie has done is given the community a human face by immortalizing and beautifully capturing people who might not have been noticed before,” Paul added.
Moreover, the Castle’s transformation of its carriage house into a gallery and visitor center further enhances the district’s offerings, providing another platform for local artists, authors, and more to showcase their work. The district aims to preserve cultural heritage by leveraging partnerships that promote collaborations like these.
“Being the heart of the arts district, I think we’re living the history that the Joslyns were major supporters of,” Paul said. “I feel in my heart that we’re making them happy by building a sense of community through the arts and having people gather for an art show, a thought-provoking talk, or a musical performance.”
The Summer Fête, a grand summer garden party that pays homage to a similar event hosted by the Joslyns in 1897, is a major key to maintaining this legacy long term, Paul noted. The Fête is the Castle’s main annual fundraiser, providing crucial funding to sustain year-round public access since 2017. Inspired by archived Omaha World-Herald reports detailing the original festivities, the Fête recreates the ambiance of the past with activities like Russian tea tasting, a live brass band, tarot card readings, and outdoor dining.
“Attendees get to see what makes this Castle the prized jewel of Midtown,” Richardson said. “Every year, it’s a chance to show people what our major endeavors are, which encourages them to donate and keep our programming alive.”
Beyond the fundraising aspect, the Fête fosters a sense of community and historical appreciation, inviting guests to engage with the Joslyns’ legacy while supporting the Castle’s longevity, securing its maintenance for their own descendants to enjoy.
The 2023 Fête marked the 120th anniversary of the Castle, honoring its early days while moving toward the future under Richardson’s direction. With a promise of maintaining and spearheading more innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability, Richardson aims to propel the Castle into its next chapter, ensuring it remains a vital asset to Omaha for another 120 years and beyond.
“Amy’s background is one of deep social service, so her leadership is driven by a humanistic factor,” Paul said. “We have this beautiful architecture and art, but it’s really about how we use these things to create safe spaces and break down social barriers, class barriers, racial barriers, and gender barriers, which Amy has been a big part of.”
With extensive experience with nonprofits and a passion for history and women’s stories, Richardson is uniquely suited for her role. Her previous experience at the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center in Walthill, Nebraska, where she worked to preserve the legacy of the first Native American physician in the United States, underscores her commitment to historical preservation and community engagement.
“There are many parallels between Dr. Susan and Sarah Joslyn; these women both came from humble beginnings and were incredibly charitable to their fellow man,” Bello noted. “Amy’s done such great work [in Walthill], and she’s taken that energy and done the same with the Castle.”
Under Richardson’s leadership, the Castle has fostered growing ties with the Indigenous community, particularly the Omaha nation, Paul said. “We found out through some of Sarah Joslyn’s descendants that the Joslyns held a powwow here every year, and she really appreciated Native arts and culture,” Richardson said.
The Castle holds similar Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations annually to celebrate the history and heritage of Omaha’s First Nations People, as well as maintaining an Indigenous garden in the northeast corner of the property. Officially titled the Unceded Collective Indigenous Garden, overseen by Omaha tribe member, Mi’oux Stabler, it was planted by the Omaha tribe and is cared for by volunteers.
“To me, the Castle is a wonderful open book, and the future is bright with Amy,” Bello said. “It’s had several chapters over 120 years, and it feels like we’re at the start of the next one.”
Keeping the Castle relevant and engaging for the next 120 years is an endeavor majorly fueled by the community’s interest, Bello noted.
Participation in recurring events are part of this, such as “Architecture on Tap,” a happy hour lecture series in partnership with Infusion Brewing, making history and architecture more approachable. The organization also hosts “Once upon a Time at the Castle,” a free storytime series in collaboration with the Omaha Public Library, where children can dress up in fairy tale costumes and enjoy activities in the gardens.
“We are also the site of many special private events; people can rent the Castle for weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthdays, and baby showers,” Bello added. “This is a site for a lot of beautiful family moments.”
“The ‘Castle’ title can make people hesitant to approach us sometimes, so our goal is to ensure the community knows that the Castle is the public’s home as well,” Paul said. “Anyone can come enjoy the grounds or participate in public and community programming.”
Additionally, partnerships with Opera Omaha, FolkHouse, and the Creative District continuously bring exhibitions, author readings, music, and festivals to the Castle’s grounds. Public tours are another cornerstone, offering seven regular tours weekly, as well as opportunities for school, bus, and private group tours, ensuring that the Castle remains accessible to all.
“The world can be chaotic and full of challenges, and to see a structure like the Castle still standing brings a certain sense of hope and resiliency,” Paul noted. “We invite anyone to propose additional uses for this space. We’re charting that future together.”
Richardson envisions the Castle enduring as a beloved landmark in Midtown that will proudly continue to preserve the legacy of George and Sarah Joslyn, serving its community for at least another 120 years.
“We have mapped a future for this place, and its history is a big part of it. It is a privilege to be able to touch something that will live on in Omaha for the next seven generations and beyond.”
For more information, visit joslyncastle.com.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.