Henderson Castle
Henderson Castle’s days are numbered.
The Kalamazoo landmark at 100 Monroe St. could close its doors indefinitely if owners Peter and Laura Livingstone-McNelis are not able to raise the $100,000 they need to pay off a debt on the property by Jan. 1. The bed and breakfast is a beloved site in Kalamazoo, a place where couples have shared marriage proposals, hosted weddings, anniversaries and other milestones and memories.
The Kalamazoo Gazette recently reported on Henderson Castle’s financial woes. The site relies on community support to stay open. Now more than ever, that is necessary. According to a story filed by Simon A. Thalmann:
Livingstone-McNelis said if the money can’t be raised to keep the castle open, they will have to file for bankruptcy.
“It was a situation where I was caught between selling it and walking away, or selling it with the idea of buying it back and having the opportunity to continue,” he said. “I chose the opportunity to continue, and that was potentially a several hundred-thousand-dollar decision.”
Laura Livingstone-McNelis, who works two part-time teaching jobs, said since the couple has owned the castle they have never received a salary, living off the income from and sales of their rental properties, of which they now own five. They do not live at the castle.
The castle was closed to the public for 110 years following its construction in 1895. Laura Livingstone-McNelis fears it could return to such a state unless the money can be raised.
Have you ever been to the Henderson Castle? Would you donate to help keep its doors open? What do you feel it contributes to Kalamazoo’s community?
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