Jul 2, 2007
His house was a castle
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Folks who appreciate a wild imagination will enjoy a visit to Gillette Castle in the state park of the same name, which underwent a $12-million restoration a few years ago. The “castle” was the creation of actor William Gillette, well-known for his portrayals of Sherlock Holmes, who had it built to his own unusual specifications from 1914 to 1919. It has trick locks and a secret room as well as a baronial great hall that is 50 feet long and 30 feet wide with a 19-foot high ceiling and hand-hewn woodwork of southern white oak. No two of the 47 doors in the structure are alike and there are many ingenious touches to see, like a table that moves on tracks. The grounds show the path of the actor’s narrow gauge railroad, which was sold to Lake Compounce when the state acquired the property in 1943. The castle is open daily from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, 10 to 4:30; the park is open year round, 8 to sunset. Admission to the castle is $5 for adults; $3 for children 6-17; free for those under 5.
Details
The castle is in East Haddam. Take I-95 to Route 9 North (Exit 68) to Route 82 (Exit 7) and follow signs; or take I-84 East to I-691 to Route 66 (Middletown) to Route 9 and go south to Exit 7. For more information, call 860-526-2336.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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