Rasika DalviConnecticut is a treasure trove of historic places and beautiful natural settings. Medieval castles always fascinate me with their beauty, architecture, and history. Imagine visiting such a gorgeous castle but with a quirky twist. There is Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut which was built by William Gillette. The castle has been described as designed in a medieval gothic “American fairy tale mixed with European flair” style. Inside there are several oddities including secret doors and passageways, moveable tables on tracks, and doors with trick locks.
Once upon a time, so the story goes, a famous stage actor and playwright was sailing on the Connecticut River when he saw a group of seven stunning hills overlooking the river. The actor had been planning on building a retirement home on Long Island in the Hamptons but seeing these seven summits, called The Seven Sisters, rising above the banks of the river changed his mind. This would be the site of his new home.
Gillette was an American actor, manager, playwright, and stage manager and is best known for his portrayal of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes on stage. It was his portrayal that helped create the modern image of the detective that we think of today. Until Gillette’s final appearance as Holmes on March 19, 1932, nearly 33 years after his first, Gillette appeared as Holmes approximately 1,300 times. Gillette’s portrayal of Holmes was widely successful and brought the actor more fame and fortune. He used part of that money, as well as his sense of ingenuity and fun, to build a castle on property fronting the Connecticut River in East Haddam, Connecticut. When he had Gillette Castle built he designed it in a way that would make Holmes proud; it’s a modern madhouse full of mystery, intricate designs, fine craftsmanship and, beauty. The castle is filled with several oddities personally designed by Gillette including weird doorknobs and locks and a system of hidden mirrors for spying on public rooms from the master bedroom.
Gillette designed his fairy-tale-style house and oversaw every phase of its construction, which took place between 1914 and 1919. The 24-room, 14,000-square-foot home was constructed of wood, cement, and fieldstone. The home’s interior reflects a craftsman-style, but with numerous oddities designed by Gillette himself. These include hidden passages, a secret room, 47 uniquely styled doors with Steampunk-like latches, and an elaborate 3-mile-long narrow-gauge railroad on the grounds outside. Visiting Gillette on a recent afternoon, it’s easy to see what draws people. The castle is built of chalk white and gray local fieldstone, supported by a steel frame that can’t be seen from the outside.
The home is perched on a cliff with a sweeping view of the Connecticut River some 100 feet below. The list of visitors who reportedly have visited the estate includes Albert Einstein, Helen Hayes, and Charlie Chaplin. After Gillette’s death, the property was acquired by the State of Connecticut in 1943, renamed Gillette Castle, and turned into a state park, which receives around 350,000 visitors each year.
Gillette was not only a well-known theatrical figure who performed at the Globe Theater in Boston, but also a talented and visionary architect and designer who personally supervised the design and building of his retirement home and much of its contents. After 5 years of construction, the home was completed in 1919, but Gillette continued to make refinements in the property until he died in 1937. One of the features sure to impress you is the number of doors in the home. There are 47, no two of which are alike! Even the latches are carved from wood.
The actual setting of the castle is breathtaking. Located in a chain of seven major hills in this region, Gillette named his 184-acre property “The Seventh Sister.” Hiking trails are winding throughout this area complete with picnic tables, places to eat, and rest. This gorgeous spot is one of the best places around to admire Connecticut’s natural beauty. You will love exploring the outdoors here!
The castle has 24 rooms, with puzzle locks, secret doors, and even hidden mirrors that allowed Gillette to spy on his guests (including Albert Einstein and Calvin Coolidge) to time dramatic entrances for their amusement. The estate, now called Gillette Castle, is owned and maintained by Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Close to 80 years after Gillette’s death the house he built upon a hill remains in the spotlight and continues to delight audiences and serves as his never-ending curtain call.
