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Gillette Castle State Park
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State Park Overview |
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It looks like a medieval fortress, but a step inside the stone castle reveals the built-in couches, table trackway, and woodcarvings that all point to the creative genius that was William Gillette.
The Castle is open from 1000 a.m. to 430 p.m., Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day. Staff are available to assist with questions about the Castle interior and its history. |
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History of the Area |
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Atop the most southerly hill in a chain known as the Seven Sisters, William Hooker Gillette, noted actor, director, and playwright, built this one hundred and eighty-four acre estate, the Seventh Sister. The focal point of his effort was a twenty four room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle.
Purchased by the State of Connecticut in 1943 from the executors of Mr. Gillettes will, Gillette Castle and the adjoining property with its fine woodlands, trails, and vistas are now administered for the enjoyment of present and future generations. This apparently would have pleased Gillette, since his will gave specific directions to see that the property did not fall into the hands "of some blithering saphead who has no conception of where he is or with what surrounded." This statement also points out the value Gillette placed upon his estate and the apprehension he felt about its disposition.
Gillette designed the castle and most of its contents personally, periodically checking every phase of their construction. Built of local fieldstone supported by a steel framework, it took twenty men five years (1914-1919), to complete the main structure. Gillette began his semi-retirement in his new home and in the following years, he supervised the many thousands of refinements created by local craftsmen.
The woodwork within the castle is hand-hewn southern white oak. Of the forty-seven doors within the structure, there are no two exactly the same. And each door has a handsome external latch intricately carved of wood. Even the Castles furnishings are indications of Gillettes inspirations. The built-in couches, a movable table on tracks, and light switches of carved wood all point to his creative genius.
Outside on the grounds, Gillettes influence is no less in evidence. The trails often follow, over trestle and through tunnel, the actors three mile long narrow gauge railroad. Gillettes own walking paths were constructed with near-vertical steps, stone-arch bridges, and wooded trestles spanning up to forty feet. Other outdoor attractions include a vegetable cellar, the railroad station (Grand Central), and Gillettes goldfish pond.
Gillette was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1853, the son of former U.S. Senator Francis Gillette and his wife Elizabeth Daggett Hooker Gillette, a descendent of Thomas Hooker, the founder of Hartford. As a child, Gillette was captivated with the stage and acting pursuits, an interest that his parents did not encourage. At age thirteen, he reputedly had built a small stage and amused himself by frequently giving puppet shows for his friends. At age twenty, he left home to follow his chosen career but success was slow in developing. He attended classes at numerous colleges including Trinity, Yale, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and College of the City of New York, but never received a degree. His first recognition as an actor was attained when the lead became ill in "Broken Hearts" at the Boston Museum, and Gillettes stand-in performance was well received. This led to other and better roles for Gillette. He is most famous for his portrayal of "Sherlock Holmes" in his acting abilities and style. Besides his activities as an actor and playwright, Gillette is known to have written two novels, invented many trick stage props and lighting techniques, and often produced and directed the plays in which he appeared. After his semi-retirement in 1910, Gillette was welcomed by theatergoers countless times during his four revival tours. His last performance was at the Bushnell in Hartford in 1936, the year before his death. |
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Area Accommodations |
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Ivoryton, CT
BEST COUNTRY INNConnecticut Magazine, September, 2003
A Beautiful Restored Turn-of-the-Century Inn with 13-Rooms and A
Top-Rated AAA Four-Diamond Restaurant. One mile From Main Street Essex
Price Range $184$375
Web Site
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Westbrook , CT
Located along the CT Shoreline midway between New York City and Boston, and only one hour from Hartford, with tons of local attractions both on the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River.
Web Site
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More Info | |
Gillette Castle State Park is located in East Haddam, Connecticut. ... genius that was William Gillette. CONTACT INFORMATION Gillette Castle State Park 67 River Road East Haddam, CT 06423 ... | |
March 26, 2001 Gillette Castle State Park to Close for 2001 Major Renovation Project Requires Castle and Park Grounds to ... and entire grounds of Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam ... | |
Descriptive sentence here. ... TUESDAY, MAY 15 2001 Gillette Castle State Park, Rte. 82, River Rd., four miles south of East Haddam, CT, (860) 526-2336. The 184-acre park is named after a rugged stone ... | |
Gillette Castle State Park East Haddam, Connecticut Mailing Address 67 River Road East Haddam, CT 6423 Contact Museum Staff Position Name Phone Director Posted 02/02/01 Last Updated By ... | |
Connecticut River Valley and Connecticut Shoreline Travel and Tourism Guide to Restaurants, Bed and ... hopyard devils hop yard devils gillette castle state park goodspeed opera house norma terris ... |
Area Attractions |
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Gillette Castle is a Viewpoint Exhibit Host Site
Did you ever wonder what the Connecticut landscape looked like a century ago? Check out ?Viewpoints?, a joint project of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, the Connecticut Impressionist Art Trail, and the Department of Environmental Protection. Outdoor exhibits reproduce works of art painted in the 19th Century, with information about the artist and the location. Visit the Impressionist Art Trail Website for a preview, and look for the Viewpoint exhibits on your next visit to the Chester-Hadlyme ferry landing area of Gillette Castle State Park and other host sites. |
Area Campgrounds | | River Dale Farm Camp Site
111 River Rd
Clinton, CT
(860) 669-5388
| Camp Niantic by the Atlantic
271 W Main St
Niantic, CT
(860) 739-9308
| Aces High RV Park
301 Chesterfield Rd
East Lyme, CT
(860) 739-8858
| Wolf's Den Cooperative Campground
256 Town St
East Haddam, CT
(860) 873-9681
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From I-91S take Exit 22. Route 9S, Exit 7, for a bridge crossing of the Connecticut River. Follow route 82E and park signs.
From I-95N or S take Exit 69. Route 9N to Exit 6 or 7. For the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, use Exit 6. Follow Route 148 and park signs. The ferry operates spring through fall. |
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Gillette Castle State Park
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