A Castle in Connecticut: A Visit to East Haddam

I first learned about the quaint, charming town of East Haddam, Connecticut while reading Patricia Schultz’s, 1000 Places to See Before You Die. I was drawn to the idea of visiting a lovely stone castle overlooking the Connecticut River.

I enjoyed the picturesque drive along the coast and before I knew it I had reached the home of William Gillette. Most known for his acting role as Sherlock Holmes in a variety of traveling productions, Gillette settled down in East Haddam after his retirement and began construction on his brilliant domain.

Gillette was not only a gifted actor, but a talented architect. He designed the rocky castle as his private residence, which was completed in 1914. Today his home is located in a state park where visitors can explore the 184 acres, tour the residence and survey his personal train station.

The castle, made of local white and grey fieldstone and supported by steel, took twenty-five men a total of five years to complete. From the stone lookout, the view of the placid Connecticut River was breathtaking as the ferry brought visitors from the banks of Hadlyme to Haddam.

I decided to take the self-guided tour to stroll through the home at my own leisure. Entering the stone castle, the temperatures were surprisingly cooler than outside and I had to adjust my eyes to the dimly lit house, but regardless, the interior was absolutely stunning.

Gillette was a talented designer and woodworker, evident in the customized doors and unique furniture he created. With inventive patterns, unusual doorknobs and interesting locks, no two doors were alike. With a total of forty-seven custom-made entryways, it was said that some of them led into secret passages.

Gillette’s eccentric nature was recognized in the details of his bizarre creations. A secret door lurked about the staircase leading to the upper levels of the home where he could watch guests arrive. Having a sense of playfulness, Gillette dramatically welcomed his guests by jumping out from a hidden doorway, creating an element of surprise and fright.

Gillette was an inventor of trick stage props, so it was not surprising that he designed an intricate surveillance system for the house. With the use of hidden mirrors, he could view the public areas of the home from his master bedroom.

From the outdoor gardens of the home, there was an outstanding view of the Connecticut River and forests stretching along its banks. The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry operates from late April to late November and is a great way to reach the castle instead of making the long drive. The boat ride from the shore provided amazing views of the castle from atop the cliffs, towering over the tranquil waterway.

The tour continued on with the grounds of the estate. I strolled down the hill to Gillette’s once running rail system of small train engines that he named the Grand Central Station. Guests to Gillette’s house could ride the three mile long track on either electric or steam locomotives during their visit. Today, the track has been replaced with a walking path that runs along the former rails.

There are so many spectacular features of Gillette Castle that I find myself recommending it as a stop on a northeastern vacation. While there are several unique, historic mansions in the US to visit, Gillette Castle is one on top of my list.

Is there a historical estate that you find fascinating? I would love to hear about it if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section. Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Gillette Castle State Park
67 River Road
East Haddam, CT 06423
Telephone: 860 526 2336

Admission Fee: Visitors from age 13 and over: $6, age 6 – 12: $2, ages 5 and under: free.
Hours: The State Park is open year around from 8AM to dusk, while the castle is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day (seven days a week) and from Labor Day to Columbus Day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Hours are from 10AM to 5PM (last ticket sold at 4:30PM).
Amenities: Picnic shelter, visitor center, food concessions, hiking, Gillette Castle, river camping
Scenic View: Exceptional views of the Connecticut River from the Castle’s gardens.
Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Take the Chester-Hadlyme ferry to Gillette Castle State Park and download the Hiking Map online.

Where to Stay:

Quality Inn Old Saybrook – Westbrook
100 Essex Road
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Telephone: 860 395 1414

Where to Eat:

Rustica Ristorante
189 Middlesex Avenue
Chester, CT 06412
Telephone: 860 526 9021

I ordered the Branzino Piccata, “pan seared Mediterranean Sea Bass with lemon juice, white wine, capers, garlic, parsley with a touch of butter served with yellow corn, tomatoes and vegetables” with a glass of red blend wine. This meal was absolutely delicious and I completed my meal with a piece of coconut cake!

What to Eat: