Gillette Castle is a 184-acre estate that took 5 years to build, starting in 1914 and completed in 1919. It is a 24-room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle. This castle was designed and built by William Hooker Gillette and then later purchased by the State of CT in 1943.
The castle was originally the private residence of William Gillette, who was an American actor and is most famous for his role of Sherlock Holmes on stage. Gillette lived in the castle from 1919-1937.
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The castle was originally called Seventh Sister Castle by Gillette and those who knew him. The name came from the estate’s location on the Seventh Sister, which is a series of seven hills along the East bank of the river.
The castle is built of local fieldstone and supported by steel framework. The inside woodwork is hand-hewn southern white oak. There are forty-seven doors within the castle and no two are the same! Each door has an intricately wood carved latch. There are built-in couches, a movable table on tracks, and light switches carved of wood.
In 1992 the original trains that Gillette used as part of his private railroad around the property were donated to the state and restored. They are now on display at the visitor’s center. The trails around Gillette Castle were once the rail beds of the Seven Sisters Line!
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This state park is very beautiful with lots of trails for hiking, places for picnics, and 3 public camping areas and the stunning views of the Connecticut River.
The Park is open 8am-sunset. There is plenty of free parking and a visitor center. The castle does offer tours and it is suggested that you buy your tickets ahead of time, on-line.
Trevor and I took a motorcycle ride to this park and loved it. The grounds are beautiful with the castle, stone archways and railroad station. The views are spectacular! We did not have time to take the castle tour, but we plan to go back and do that!
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Gillette Castle is located at 67 River Road in East Haddam Connecticut. Gillette Castle is definitely worth the trip and could easily be combined with a trip to Devils Hopyard State Park, also in East Haddam Connecticut.
Other parks in the area are Haddam Meadows State Park in Haddam Connecticut and Hurd State Park in East Hampton.
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Have you been to Gillette Castle? Leave us a comment below and let us know how you liked it! Are there other state parks that you have been to that we need to check out? Let us know by commenting below!
You got my attention with the mention of Sherlock Holmes. Great pictures!
Thanks, it is a beautiful castle and park!
Castles in the Us? This is another location added to my bucket list!
Yes! Such a pretty place to visit and explore!! And very close to Devil’s Hopyard–you could do both in a day!