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The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park
is an all-volunteer organization, which was formally established in
1998. The present membership is a diverse group of people from
Connecticut
and several other states who are involved at many different levels
with the restoration and preservation of a unique Connecticut
historical
landmark and its grounds.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are volunteer opportunities for all areas of interest and ability
levels.
- Gardening and Grounds
- Path and Trail Grooming
- Membership Outreach
- Gift Shop and Fundraising
- Special Events
- Administration
- Computer Support
- Public Information
- Historical Research
- Tour Hosting
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Click here
to view the recent Gillette Gazette
Adobe acrobat reader required. Click here
for free copy.
Castle and Grounds Saw
more than 200,000 Visitors in 2009...Nooks and Crannies,
Secret Passages, Hidden
Compartments, Cunning Locks, Exotic Craftsmanship in Wood and
Stone, and the many sidelights of a
clever and theatrical personality...all were made
visible to the discerning eyes of Castle visitors
during the past season. Some 100,000
people took the self-guided tours of the
historic residence of an early superstar, William Gillette. His
interesting contrivances
appeal to wide audiences -- woodworkers,
masons, actors, hikers, picnickers, and (especially) readers of the
fabled Sherlock
Holmes series of novels by Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle that Mr. Gillette so ably
brought to life on stage and screen.
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The Friends of Gillette Castle
State Park
is an all-volunteer organization, which was formally established in
1998. The present membership is a diverse group of people from
Connecticut
and several other states who are involved at many different levels
with the restoration and preservation of a unique Connecticut
historical
landmark and its grounds.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are volunteer opportunities for all areas of interest and ability
levels.
- Gardening and Grounds
- Path and Trail Grooming
- Membership Outreach
- Gift Shop and Fundraising
- Special Events
- Administration
- Computer Support
- Public Information
- Historical Research
- Tour Hosting
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IMPORTANT EVENTS!
Spring–Summer–Fall Events
Friends
Members' Day: Saturday,
June 5, 10
a.m.-1 p.m.
Members (old and new) and their families and friends are invited to an
insiders' view of the park with events and tours for children and
adults alike. Activities include Harold and Teddie Niver
interpreting
the world of Mr. and Mrs. Gillette; short, interpretive, hikes for kids
and trail-history for grownups; coloring pages for younger children;
and a nooks-and-crannies look at park highlights. Light
refreshments,
too!
Gillette Castle State Park, located at 67 River Road in
East Haddam, was William Gillette’s 184-acre estate known as the
Seventh Sister, the focal point of which was his 24-room house
reminiscent of a medieval castle. The State of Connecticut acquired the
property in 1943 and established Gillette Castle State Park. The
Castle is open for its full season from Memorial Day
weeked until Columbus Day weekend, with special events often scheduled
in the late fall and early winter.
The East Haddam Historical Society presents William Gillette's one-act
Victorian drawing-room comedy, "All
the Comforts of Home," on Saturdays
and Sundays on the Castle grounds at
1 p.m. from June 19 through July 31. The half-hour performances are a
production of the East Haddam Stage
Company with support from
the Connecticut Humanities Council.
For recorded event information please contact Gillette Castle State
Park at 860.526.2336.
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