Spring has already sprung up for us, many are looking to see or do something new.
The twenty-four bedroom home is part of Gillette Castle State Park, located east of Haddam along the Connecticut River.
Mansus is like a medieval castle.
The design of the castle was inspired by William Gillette, who was a notable actor, director, and playwright, best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.
It took twenty five years to build the castle which was completed in 1919.
While the castle has 47 gates, Gillette made sure there were none at all.
Each has beautiful exterior doors carved from wood and a castle in the beds, a movable table with steps and light rods carved from wood.
It is all among the woodwork in the castle.
Tours are available of the castle which includes the first level where Gillette living room, dining room, garden room, study, and the bars are located.
The window looks into the hidden vault.
The second level includes several rooms with mirrors around, so that guests could see into the living room. the privacy of his room.
The third grader used it in his library and now has several pictures of the Connecticut River area.
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has members who give tours of the castle for $5 ages 18 and over, $3 ages 6-17, and free to the ages 5 and under.
The camp is open from 10 p.m. at 4:30 p.m. Memorial Day weekend during Columbus Day and staff can answer questions about the interior of the fort and its history.
The DEP hopes to have more rooms open to the public in the near future to give more history of the camp.
It is well worth the money to take the tour facility and those who do must do it on the terrace behind the castle overlooking the Connecticut River.
Tickets can be purchased at the visitor’s center which features a small museum including small cars that surrounds the Gillette property, displaying signs of Tissot and the design of the mansion and its grounds, and the memoirs including the letters which he wrote with his own signature.
The center also includes restrooms, a small gift shop and a large wooden patio with garden paintings.
The office is run by the Friends of Gillette State Park, a non-profit organization, with all money coming back. to the park
Items at the gift shop include postcards, magnets, books, and other items with an image of Gillette Castle.
Next to the Visitor center is a food concessions building that sells hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, potato chips, soda and ice cream. cream
He sits both inside the building and on the table outside the building and picnic on the patio.
The visitor center and food concessions building are new to the park and part of a major overhaul done to the park several years ago.
Both are close to a large parking lot and are on the way to the castle.
Next to the castle is a large picnic area called “Grand Central” and it is located near where the Gillette railroad had a mini railroad to stop
The picnic roof is also close to many of the park’s trails which have also been recently renovated.
Some of the tram pictures have views of the Connecticut River and are approached to an area where the wooden framework is aging, which may be the end of the railroad, allowing a connection to the river.
Most of the railroad tracks that Gillette had around the property have been removed except for some remnants on a stone wall near the “Grand Central” picnic shelter.
However, a map from the Connecticut DEP shows that the old railroad track area has been converted into a walking trail allowing visitors to walk the same way as Gillette had his own railroad.
Several large wooden bridges were built a few years ago so that hikers and walkers could better cross the various streams and rivers on the property.
The roads are generally flat and can be used by people of all ages.
Others are aging bridges and Gillette railroad tracks.
Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the park is the existence of a small railway tunnel located on the track at the eastern end of the park.
The tunnel is very narrow and built in an angle allowing Gillette to scare his guests whom he enjoyed receiving on the train.
After walking 10 feet in the tunnel, you can see the top of the tunnel.
Unfortunately, the storms and vandals took a toll inside the walls of the tunnel sat, but I hope that through rehabilitation and painting, the tunnel can become as beautiful as the rest of the garden.
Even on a sunny day, much of the tunnel does not see the light of day.
While the main parking lot is near the concessions building, two other lots exist, one near the picnic area closer to the entrance of the park, and the other is located near the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry.
Riverside campsites near the ferry are available from May 1 to September 30, but are restricted to boats only.
The camps are primitive with fire pits and pump pits and have a capacity of twenty camps at a time.
Students at the camp should consult with the ranger at Gillette Camp State Park.
Campers will have the opportunity to enjoy the impressionist Art Trail exhibit near the boardwalk and see paintings of the Connecticut River.
From the fort, visitors can walk down a series of old cement steps through the campsite to access the art of towing and rafting.
The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry allows vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians to cross the Connecticut River.
Within walking distance of the ferry on the west river is the Essex Steam Train stop which is used. allowing a train-porty connection in the summer
visitors can go to Gillette Castle without having to drive to it.
Those interested in that link should visit the Essex Steam Train website at www.essexsteamtrain.com.
Carrier Monday p.m. at 6:45 p.m. until Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 p.m. at 5 p.m. It is open and closed on Thanksgiving Day.
There is a $3 fare for vehicles that include cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, and similar types of vehicles while a $1 walking rate is applied for pedestrians and bicycles.
The vessel can accommodate eight to nine vehicles and 49 passengers.
Bicyclists have the opportunity to cycle through Chester to visit its city, which is full of galleries, restaurants, unique art shops, and near Norma Land Musical theater through Owned by Goodspeed.
Gillette Castle State Park is open from 8 p.m. to the sunset and those with care are advised to join the picnic areas and hiking trails.
Pets are not allowed in the buildings, outside, on the terraces, or on the walkways of the castle.
Those arriving at the castle using Interstate 91 southbound take exit 22 to Route 9 southbound to exit 7 to the Connecticut River crossing bridge and follow Route 82 eastbound and park signs.
Interstate 95 users should use exit 69 to access Route 9 northbound and exit 7.
Those wishing to use the shuttle should take exit 6 and watch for signs for Route 148.
