Stokesay Castle

Stokesay Castle is a historic site worthy of attention, located in Reading Pennsylvania, the Stokesay Castle in Reading was built in 1931and was inspired by Laurence of Ludlow's Stokesay Castle in England built at the end of the 13th century. This truly majestic building was built by George Baer Hester as a honeymoon cottage for for his fiancé and required the help of Berks renowned Frederick A. Muhlenberg. Many of the features of Laurence of Ludlow's Stokesay Castle in England were incorporated into Mr. Hester's Castle. Stokesay Castle remained a private residence from 1932 to 1956 when it was converted into a restaurant and venue for weddings which still operates to this day.

Stokesay Castle in reading is as rich architectural as it is historical. It was built by a renowned architect Frederick A. Muhlenberg II and housed a members of very prominent families in Berks county. Built in 1932 Stokesay Castle holds a lot of the same rich history that Reading was brought up with. Stokesay Castle was born out of love and continues being the center of many enamored couples to this day.

George Baer Hiester born on March 7th 1909 in Reading Pennsylvania. Born to a prominent family, Mr Heister had a nice life growing up, unfortunately, Mr. Heister lost his dad at a young age. He was also neighbor with whom would end up being his wife, Anne Hall Nicolls. Both Mr. Hiester and Anne shared the death of their fathers at an early age, where both born in 1909, and came from prominent families in the area. On August 1922, when Mr. Heister was 13 years of age he traveled with his mom and sister to England and arrived at Southampton. During this trip, Mr. Heister was able to visit Laurence of Ludlow's Stokesay Castle and fell in love with its architectural style. Mr. Hiester went on finish his studies ate Yale and during this time he engaged Anne Hall Nicolls.

George Baer Hiester and Anne Hall Nicolls were married on November 27th, 1931. To surprise his wife with a summer home Mr.Hiester recruited his cousin architect Frederick A. Muhlenberg II to help him build an exact replica of the castle he became enamored with at age 13 in England. Hiester spared no expense building such magnificent replica.Frederick A. Muhlenberg II would go on to build the castle with many similar features including hand cut stone used to cover the whole castle, symmetrical ceiling whose two sloping sides meet at a ridge in the middle of the room called Cathedral ceilings, and exposed wood beans ash the roof of the castle identical to the ones at the original English castle, and fully glazed windows that would bring an immense amount of light in. He was able to use building material and craftsman who were locally sourced and made full use of the 10 acre piece of land. Stokesay Castle was finished in 1932 and served as a summer private residence. Unfortunately, Anne hated the castle and resented Hiester for building the castle with no input from her. Mr. Hiester and Anne later had a one year old daughter named Robin in 1933. George Baer Hiester and Anne Hall Nicolls marriage would come to an end only six years after they were married in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Hiester went on to sell Stokesay Castle in 1956 to a company who later built it into a restaurant. In the 1960's this company constructed a banquet hall which was widely used as a wedding reception. this company sold Stokesay Castle in 2007 due to bankruptcy. Stokesay Castle was then acquired by jack Gulati who's the current owner and restored Stokesay Castle with now houses The Knight’s Pub.

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