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
  • Grounds and Trail Restoration
  • Membership Recruitment
  • Fundraising
  • Special Events
  • Administration
  • Computer Support
  • Public Relations
  • Historical Research
  • Tour Docent


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Castle and Grounds Saw 100,000 Visitors in 2008 Nooks and Crannies, Secret Passages, Hidden Compartments, Cunning Locks, Exotic Woodand Stone-work, and the many sidelights of a clever and theatrical personality...all were made visible to the discerning eyes of Castle visitors during the past 2006 season. Some 100,000 people took the DEP-guided tours of the building. Gillette’s interesting contrivances appeal to wide audiences -- woodworkers, masons, actors, hikers, picnickers, and (perhaps especially) readers of the fabled Sherlock Holmes series of novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that actor William Gillette so ably brought to life on stage and screen.

IMPORTANT EVENTS!

CT DEP Announces Gillette Castle State Park Open for School Vacation

Children's Programs Monday, December 28th – Wednesday, December 30th

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be offering three days of special children’s programs at Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam Monday, December 28 thru Wednesday, December 30 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

There will be a variety of FREE activities at the Visitor’s Center to keep your children entertained during school vacation week.  The activities are focused on discovering the wonders of nature during winter including: tracking, learning how animals cope with the cold, identifying trees in winter, observing snowflakes, making pinecone bird feeders, a scavenger hunt, and  bonfire. Two magicians will perform; Michael Cronin, on Monday and Tuesday and Zach Ivins on Wednesday.

Tours of the castle are also available for an entrance fee.  Each room of the castle has been decorated this holiday season as part of the Gillette Castle Holiday Celebration.

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 will also be open on:

Monday, December 28 - Wednesday, December 30 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  

Castle entrance is $10 for adults and children 13 and over, $4 for children ages 6-12, and FREE for children ages 5 and under.

For more information please contact Gillette Castle State Park at (860) 526-2336.

Christmas Tree

© Copyright 2009. Friends of Gillette Castle.