Gillette Castle State Park was formerly the estate of William Hooker Gillette, the actor who play Sherlock Holmes on stage. The main attraction of the park is the 24-room mansion, resembling a medieval castle— it has also been called “Gillette’s Folly”. The castle was built on 184 acres along the Connecticut River on the border of East Haddam and Lyme.
The State of Connecticut purchased the estate in 1943, renaming it Gillette Castle State Park. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. In 1998 the park closed for a four-year, $11 million restoration, reopening in 2002. The park now includes a visitor center, food concessions, small museum, hiking trails, and a picnic area.
The park is open year-round for recreational activities, the main gate opens at 8:00am. Gillette Castle has seasonal hours from 10:00am to 5:00pm from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. The last castle entrance ticket is sold at 4:00pm.
Castle Tour
From 1914-1919, William Gillette oversaw 20 craftsmen who constructed the castle. Upon completion of the three story, 24,000 square foot home, Gillette continued to design unique features in the house, many to aid his dramatic entrance to visiting guests.
While taking the self-guided tour, look out for some of the following:
– Secret Doors (one of which is only accessible after pulling a handle)
– Trick locks requiring puzzle skills to open
– A wooden hand carved bar with a secret latch
– Mirrors allowing the owner to watch guests from his bedroom
The tour will only take 20-30 minutes. You will have access to many of the rooms and there are knowledgeable park employees to ask questions and demonstrate how certain puzzle-like locks are operated. This is one tour you want to ask questions!!
Visitor Center & Tickets
Gillette Castle State Park does not charge parking fees. Purchase tickets at the visitor center, which also houses a food concession, small museum, and restrooms. Frequent visitors to the Connecticut State Parks might find a Heritage Passport worthwhile, allowing for unlimited admittance to three facilities: Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle State Parks.
Recreational Activities
Take a hike along the trails on the grounds, originally a 3-mile narrow-gauge railroad with trestles, bridges, turnouts, and a tunnel. The tracks have been removed but while you walk among the trees, picture past guests Albert Einstein, Helen Hayes, and Charlie Chaplin riding a steam engine along the path!
From May through September, there are three public campsites along the Connecticut River at Hurd, Gillette Castle and Selden Neck State Parks managed by the Department of Environmental Protection. Check the website for details.
Gillette Castle State Park
67 River Road
East Haddam, CT
