A sobering communication about the state of the state parks, and pictures from our soft opening.

This month: Pictures from the soft opening of the Castle, a radio interview with Paul Schiller and a beautiful print article about Gillette and his Castle for subscribers to Sherlock Holmes magazine. We also release a sobering letter about the state of the state parks. Plus - a free public show at the Castle: William Gillette - the man meets his legend. Sherlock meets our enthusiastic and joyful new gift shop manager, and of course, our Test Your Trivia Challenge.

Accomplishments and happenings

The Castle is officially open! The soft opening (our private members-only tours a week before official opening) was a real success. The guides appreciated the opportunity to work the kinks out, we recruited a passel of new members, and everyone had a great time. See pictures in our photo essay here.

Our very own Castle guru, Paul Schiller, shared his Castle knowledge in a radio interview about the Castle opening. Check out "the local scoop" on Lite 100.5 to hear the interview.

Live theater returns to the Castle! Our friends at the East Haddam Stage Company are gearing up for a six-weekend run from Saturday July 3 through Sunday August 8 2021! Their 2021 production is a 30-minute live-action Sherlock Holmes radio drama based on the Arthur Conan Doyle story A Scandal in Bohemia. Shows will be at 1 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays only. Follow them on Facebook to keep in touch with the action.

Our Castle scholars and literati have been working behind the scenes with Sherlock Holmes Magazine on an article about William Gillette and his beloved Castle. We are pleased to report that the article is now in print! Subscription or purchase required. Check out this link if you are curious.

A sobering communication

Park supervisors across the state of Connecticut joined together to craft a letter to their management team about the state of the park system. The resulting letter is sobering reading for all of us who care about the state parks and the people who tend to them.

We knew that you would want to read this letter yourself.

We would love to hear your thoughts. Drop us a line at info@gillettecastlefriends.org

Public event at the Castle on Sunday, June 27

"William Gillette - the man meets his legend"

For the first time at their estate, William and Helen Gillette play host to the very person whom Mr. Gillette portrayed on the stage for many years -- the legendary consulting detective Sherlock Holmes.

Join us at the stage area near "Grand Central Station" at Gillette Castle State Park for what's bound to be a fascinating conversation. Your questions will be welcomed!

Performances start at 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 27. This event is free and open to everyone.

Don't forget the lecture!

The Glamourous American—William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes

Our resident historian and William Gillette scholar, Susan Dahlinger, will be speaking about Gillette via Zoom on June 17 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. as part of a FREE series from Portsmouth Library UK’s Richard Lancelyn Green Arthur Conan Doyle Collection. The series is in memory of Prof. Neil McCaw, who spoke widely to publicize the Collection before his untimely death last year.

Click here to register for the program.

Talk summary: At the height of the Great Depression, a Connecticut Yankee in a deerstalker cap trouped America in the Final Tour of a legendary play about a very British detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Tonight’s talk is about the enigmatic actor, his career and his Castle, and his role in reviving the Sherlock Holmes franchise to the joy of fans on both sides of the pond.

Test Your Trivia!

The June edition

A compilation of little-known facts about William Gillette and Sherlock Holmes

June 1, 1882: An important date for William Gillette and a lovely lass he spotted in the audience during a production of his play "The Professor." Who was that lovely lady and why is this date important?

June 25, 1891: A short story featuring Sherlock Holmes is published in The Strand magazine. What is the name of this short story? Bonus points: Why was this short story special and how did William Gillette make use of it?

June 11, 1920: A significant "happening" in Manhattan that may have served as inspiration for Gillette's only novel, “The Astounding Crime on Torrington Road." What is this famous incident?

Read the answers and more in this month's edition of "Test Your Trivia!"

Where's Sherlock?

Sherlock went to check out the newly opened Seventh Sister Souvenirs! He perused all the new wares and met the new gift shop manager, Rachel Barrett.

Read about his visit in the Sherlock on the Shelf travelogue!

Sherlock shout-out. Sherlock is thrilled to welcome new members Lois B., Sharon F., Elise K., Lisa A., Hunter O., Kevin P., Gina T., and Kate D.!

Join the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park