Gillette Castle Wedding
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Atop the most southerly hill in a chain known as the Seven Sisters, William Hooker Gillette, noted actor, director, and playwright, built this one hundred and eighty-four acre estate, the Seventh Sister.
The focal point of his effort was a twenty four room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle. Gillette designed the castle and most of its contents personally, periodically checking every phase of their construction. Built of local fieldstone supported by a steel framework, it took twenty men five years (1914-1919), to complete the main structure. The woodwork within the castle is hand-hewn southern white oak. Of the forty-seven doors within the structure, there are no two exactly the same. And each door has a handsome external latch intricately carved of wood. Even the Castle's furnishings are indications of Gillette's inspirations. The built-in couches, a movable table on tracks, and light switches of carved wood all point to his creative genius. Outside on the grounds, Gillette's influence is no less in evidence. The trails often follow, over trestle and through tunnel, the actor's three mile long narrow gauge railroad. Gillette's own walking paths were constructed with near-vertical steps, stone-arch bridges, and wooded trestles spanning up to forty feet. Other outdoor attractions include a vegetable cellar, the railroad station (Grand Central), and Gillette's goldfish pond. |
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The terrace on the Southern side of the Castle provides a spacious place with vistas of the CT River for your ceremony and guests to enjoy. A curated garden with native flowers bloom and add a delicate bouquet in the air.
A ride aboard the ferry boat Selden III provides a great view of the Castle and the Connecticut River. Your guests would probably enjoy taking the ferry across the Connecticut River to your Castle wedding!
Our wedding couples love having their pictures taken near the lily pond or on one of the stone bridges on the Gillette Castle grounds. SophterLight Photographers love the setting too! This part of Gillette Castle State Park is cool and quiet, even in the height of the tourist season.
The State of Connecticut Web Site shows other pictures and details of Gillette Castle. The street address is 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT 06423. You can call (860) 526-2336 for specific information about Gillette Castle.
A ride aboard the ferry boat Selden III provides a great view of the Castle and the Connecticut River. Your guests would probably enjoy taking the ferry across the Connecticut River to your Castle wedding!
Our wedding couples love having their pictures taken near the lily pond or on one of the stone bridges on the Gillette Castle grounds. SophterLight Photographers love the setting too! This part of Gillette Castle State Park is cool and quiet, even in the height of the tourist season.
The State of Connecticut Web Site shows other pictures and details of Gillette Castle. The street address is 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT 06423. You can call (860) 526-2336 for specific information about Gillette Castle.
