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Memories of OHEKA Castle
and
Eastern Military Academy
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Otto Kahn and OHEKA Castle
Portrait of Otto H. Kahn (1867-1934)
(from NNDB )
He named his dream castle: "OHEKA" after the initials of his full name (O=Otto/ HE=Hermann/ KA=Kahn).
OHEKA castle was completed in 1919. It originally had 127 rooms
and occupied 109,000 square feet of space, making it the second largest private residence in the United States (after the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina). It was also the largest residence built in New York State. A few quick shots of OHEKA were included in the opening newsreel shown in the classic film, CITIZEN KANE.
Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra
Otto Kahn's son, Roger (1907-1962), was a talented musician in the 1920s and 1930s. He played many instruments and was a young jazz band leader and songwriter.
One of the songs he co-wrote with Irving Caesar and Joseph Meyer was "Crazy Rhythm," a big hit in 1928. Listen to Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra playing this hit song at YouTube
Read more about Roger Wolfe Kahn at Wikipedia
Read more about Roger's experiences at OHEKA Caste and Eastern Military Academy on this DVD:
OHEKA Garden Party
Celebrating The 20th Anniversary of the Restoration of OHEKA Castle
(1984 - 2004)
Sponsored by the Friends of OHEKA Castle
June 10, 2004
Theme: The Roaring Twenties
Hosts: Otto and Addie Kahn
(portrayed by Gary and Pam Melius)
The Kahn's Special Guests:New York Governor Al Smith
(portrayed by William Naughton)Grace Moore
(portrayed by Jo-Ann Raia)Mary Astor
(portrayed by Susan Berland)Fred Astaire
(portrayed by Roger Hall)The Great Gatsby
(portrayed by Mark Cuthbertson)
Anne Kahn Baugh (a Kahn descendant)
with singer Roger Hall, who sang several Gershwin songs
at the 2004 OHEKA Garden Party
Gary Melius with Roger Hall
at the 2004 Garden Party
See more pictures from this OHEKA Garden Party on the DVD,
Message from Frank L. Scalia,
President of the Eastern Military Academy Alumni Association...
"Thank You! Gary and Pam Melius and Friends of OHEKA for restoring our former home, Eastern Military Academy. We occupied the Castle the longest, from 1948 to 1979. Our proud members appreciate your efforts to maintain and promote the heritage of Eastern Military Academy!"
For more information see
Eastern Military Academy Alumni Association
Two multi-media titles available...
"What you are to be, you are now becoming."
A Message for former EMA cadet, Roger Hall:
"I've never forgotten those wonderful years spent at Eastern Military Academy and offer my EMA military salute of gratitude and our school motto"
Read Roger's story about his days at EMA and his love of OHEKA Castle
on a special multi-media DVD playable on your computer
but not on your television
with pictures from Otto Kahn's era and
Eastern Military Academy stories and pictures.
Click this link:MEMORIES OF EMA AND OHEKA (PTM 1026)
Also available with a story about his years
at Eastern Military Academy
by the same author...
"Dream World"
Songs, Poems and Stories by Roger Hall
Resources and Credits
For further information, click on this link for
These books are recommended:
Images of America: OHEKA CASTLE - an illustrated book by Joan Cergol and Ellen Schaffer. Arcadia Publishing, 2012. Foreward by Nelson DeMille.
Note: Roger Hall and Frank Scalia from EMA are mentioned prominently in this book.
Otto the Magnificent: The Life of Otto Kahn - by John Kobbler
The best biography about OHEKA's first owner (1988)
See also biographical information about
Unless otherwise indicated, the photos on this page are
from the author's collection and those taken by Gail Hall.For any comments or questions, write to:
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