Gillette Castle had a huge news cycle this month! Lots of online activity, too. Enjoy the feature article, the trivia, and Sherlock's travelogue as well.
Accomplishments and Happenings
  • Two local media outlets published articles about the retaining wall renovations in response to a press release we issued about it! Check out the East Haddam News (scroll down to the end) and Middletown Press to see it first hand.

  • The East Haddam News also published a beautiful front page article about "The first couple of Gillette's Castle." Who are "the first couple"? Check out the article to find out!!

  • We restructured the website, streamlining our top-level menus and creating a vitally important "Plan your visit" section. More improvements still to come!

  • We completed two videos about the Castle's relationship to the Connecticut River (one about the Aunt Polly shipwreck and one about the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry).
Feature article!
Do you like motorcycles? Cruising down a winding country road on a crisp fall afternoon? Are you curious about William Gillette's history with motorcycles and wondering what a "Ner-a-car" is?

Check out our feature article:


By John C. Sherwood for The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park
Test Your Trivia!
The October edition
A compilation of little-known facts about William Gillette and Sherlock Holmes

Oct 1, 2014: A long-lost silent film is discovered! Name the film. (Hint: the Friends hosted the Connecticut premiere of the restored film at the Castle in 2015).

Oct 17, 1905: A young Charles Chaplin performs alongside William Gillette at Duke's Theater in London. Chaplin plays Holmes's Baker Street page boy. What was the name of the character Chaplin played, and (bonus points!) how did this later influence Arthur Conan Doyle?

Oct. 24, 1902: During the Coronation Honours at Buckingham Palace, Arthur Conan Doyle is honored by King Edward VII. What was the honor and why was it bestowed?

Read the answers and more in this month's edition of Test Your Trivia!
William Gillette in Sherlock Holmes 1916 silent film Sherlock Holmes
Where's Sherlock?
William Gillette looooooved cats!

In anticipation of Halloween, Sherlock this month visited the Two Wrasslin' Cats Coffeehouse, which rivals the Castle as a local "cat memorabilia mecca." He also thoroughly enjoyed our new YouTube video highlighting Gillette's relationship with cats.
Sherlock wrasslin cats
Sherlock shout-out. Sherlock is thrilled to welcome new members Susan B., Maria F., Peter G., Suzanne H., Dot M., Gerry P., John S., Erin V., Karen V., and Jennifer Y.!