The Dundas Castle – Purchased by PHTA 1949

Our Mission

The mission of the Prince Hall Temple Associates (“PHTA”) is the development of recreational and multi-use facilities and summer youth programs, and the responsible conservation of the environment by maintaining the natural beauty and open space of its properties. To preserve, improve and expand Camp Eureka as a summer residential youth camp, and restore historic Dundas Castle and make it available to the general public. To work with and be consistent with the overall planning, economic development, and community development goals of the local communities.

Message from the President

Dear Members,

Thank you for your trust and support, evidenced by your participation at our annual meeting in September and your confidence in selecting me and the board for another year. Your engagement is integral to our progress at PHTA.

This year, we aim to excel in foundational tasks: maintaining the property, ensuring smooth operations, and pursuing strategic initiatives. We are focused on three key areas:

  • Transitioning from a private foundation to a public charity.
  • Diversifying our funding through membership fees, property usage, and ongoing capital campaigns to support our growth and sustainability.
  • Exploring ways to enhance the engagement and utilization of our property by attracting more foot traffic.
  • Enhancing security to address trespassing, with initiatives including improved surveillance and legal measures to protect our investments and the property’s integrity.

We’re committed to making our property a beacon of positive experiences and continued excellence. Your ideas, suggestions, and contributions of time or resources are always welcome as we strive to improve our shared space.

Warmly,

Walter C. King Jr.
President, Prince Hall Temple Associates, Inc.

Sullivan County Newyork

With land holdings totaling over 700 acres in an area long known as a scenic resort and vacation getaway/paradise, the Dundas Castle and its surrounding property in Sullivan and Delaware counties is grossly underutilized. Large parcels of land lay dormant; while the surrounding townships and businesses have long been generating revenue from the natural beauty this area has to offer. The town of Roscoe, nationally known for its trout fishing (Trout Town USA one of the best Trout fishing areas in the US), is home to the Beaverkill River, which borders Dundas Castle located in Craige Clair. Hundreds of fishermen flock to this area on their annual pilgrimage.

Sullivan County has long been known for its attraction as a vacation get-away.  Dating back to the early 1800s, it served as a rural retreat for urban dwellers visiting from New York City.  As trains transported tourists from New York City to local boarding houses formerly occupied by loggers, the tourist trade was born.  At the beginning of the 20th century, Jewish businessmen began to build large hotels in the towns occupying Liberty, Livingston Manor, and Fallsburgh.  By the 1940s, over 300 hotels had made Sullivan County their home.  World famous hotels such as Grossingers in Liberty, and The Concord in Kiamesha Lake, became a home to entertainers, tourists and celebrities from around the world. This Golden Age for the hotel industry with its prosperity for the owners and the area would last for the next 25 years.

Sullivan County today is home to several world-class facilities, while still maintaining the tradition of tourism, which they are famous for.  With an eye to the future, Sullivan County now provides a contemporary twist, offering vacation packages with customized menus tailored to meet the needs of families, singles, couples and groups.  Antique hunting, Bed & Breakfasts, farm markets, museums and theaters, all are the allure of Sullivan and Delaware County.  Whether hunting, fishing, playing golf or tennis, taking a stroll, these visitors have discovered a year round vacation destination.  In addition to the pristine natural beauty beckoning vacationers to the area, Sullivan County will soon have gambling to add to its list of many attractions.

Just 90 minutes from New York City, Albany and Philadelphia, residents feel Roscoe is strategically placed, being the halfway point to places such as Oneonta, Ithaca, Delhi and Cortland, all which are college towns.  In addition, the Sullivan County Catskills with its myriad of recreational opportunities, shopping and dining facilities, golf courses and its plethora of fresh water lakes, world renowned fishing streams and hunting areas offers vast opportunities for the astute developer.

Despite the economy slump, local tourism in Sullivan County is remaining lively and thriving.  The leisure market is surviving because consumers view traveling different than they did 10 or 20 years ago.  It is a given now that in the summer, people take vacations.  This year however, the Travel Industry Association noted that people were taking trips that were much shorter and weekend travel was the norm.  And that’s exactly why this trade is booming in Sullivan County.  Officials confirm that this year even with summer coming to a close, because trends are changing, a healthy fall season can be expected because of the many activities still available

Over the past year, some 600 homes have been sold in Sullivan County this year, compared with only 380 two years ago; businesses have now begun to bring in more dollars during the off-season.

Smart investment, strategic planning, reallocation of resources, and collaboration with state and local governments on the part of the PHTA will act as a catalyst to enabling the property to provide even more economic prosperity into this area.

According to Ed Arace, regional vice president of the Empire State Development Corporation, “Sullivan County is coming of age, it’s hot.”  Mr. Arace does not only share this opinion regarding Sullivan County.  Other prominent businesspersons and leaders like Jeff Cohen, Director of acquisitions and development for the world’s biggest hotel and resort company, Starwood, the parent of the new Concord, share the same view.  The reason for this new optimism, inexpensive land and a prime location are the two main reasons.  “The county is a real bargain,” cites County Planning Commissioner, Alan Soresnson.

Downtowns in Sullivan County are sprouting all sorts of new boutique-type businesses from gourmet food and gift shops to trendy art & antique shops.  Where boarded up storefronts once prevailed, new galleries have opened along the Delaware.  W Magazine, the renowned New York City based fashion magazine, has called Sullivan County, ” New York’s hippest hide away.”  The New York Philharmonic, one of the world’s greatest orchestras is partnering with Rich Meir, one of the world’s greatest architects, to team up with the Performing Arts Center financed by cable magnate, Alan Gerry at the Woodstock site in Bethel.  Anticipated opening date on this project is 2004.  Wall Street has recently upgraded the county’s bond rating to an “A” because the economy is rebounding and becoming more diverse.  State county and local governments are playing an increasingly aggressive role in supporting business and the development of the counties residing in the Catskills.