Riverfront restoration efforts in 2022 will mark the life of Yukitaki Osaki.

This month: We announce our 2022 restoration priorities - the year of Yukitaka Osaki. Osaki's home is stabilized for the winter, thanks to new board member Gail Hanson. "Silent Cal" dropped by the Castle to chat with William and Helen Gillette.

Accomplishments and happenings

Announcing our 2022 restoration priorities! Next year will mark 80 years since the passing of William Gillette's valet, secretary and confidante Yukitaka Osaki. To mark this milestone, the Friends have prioritized a number of projects along the riverbank where Osaki lived. We also will be exploring the feasibility of restoring Osaki's home. Read more about Osaki-san and our plans for the riverbank in this article.

Gail Hanson joins the board of the Friends of Gillette. We are pleased to announce that Gail Hanson is bringing significant energy and enthusiasm to the board, along with a personal mission. Gail's maternal grandparents lived in the Osaki home, and Gail wants to ensure that the life of this fascinating man is appreciated. It is her urging which has led us to decide to explore the feasibility of restoring the property. Per the bylaws, Gail joins as an appointee of the president to oversee the efforts to restore the riverbank. Please welcome Gail to the board, and read her brief biography here.

We had a fun time at RiverFest, and we welcome new newsletter recipients to our monthly epistle. This is absolutely the best way to hear about what's happening at the Castle.

Don't forget your holiday tour of the decorated Castle! We will have loads of fun activities outdoors as well on weekends throughout the holiday season. Make your reservations for the Castle tours through the Reserve America system (weekends only Nov. 26-Dec. 19). The Visitor's Center and Seventh Sister Gift Shop also will be open on weekends, so you can plan your holiday shopping to include some Castle charm.

We stabilized Yukitaka Osaki's riverfront home for winter!

We are so pleased to announce that fast action on the part of new board member Gail Hanson has enabled us to stabilize the former home of Yukitaka Osaki for the winter. Based on her own observations of the home, Gail engaged park supervisor John "Jack" Hine and president Lynn Wilkinson in a structural review of the building. The inspection revealed large holes in the roof and a lack of ventilation leading to damp wood throughout.

One week later, a high-quality tarp was purchased and safely installed. A post-installation inspection confirmed that the damp structure is drying out. Our fastest project ever (as far as we know)!

Coolidge at the Castle!

President Calvin Coolidge dropped by the Castle recently to visit William and Helen Gillette. This trio of charming interpretive actors (from left, Teddie Niver, Tracy Messer and Tyke Niver) had a fascinating conversation on the terrace on a beautiful fall afternoon. Coolidge was one of many visiting dignitaries who visited the Castle during Gillette's time. See our YouTube video that captured the fun!

Photo by Kelly Hunt, Cherish the Moment Photography

Museum Spotlight

Yukitaka Osaki: Gillette's valet, confidante, secretary and friend

On the banks of the river near the ferry landing stands the home that William Gillette built for his stalwart companion, Yukitaka Osaki. Osaki-san was from a Japanese samurai family and emigrated to the United States at a young age to study theater and literature.

A reproduction of the "folly" that can be seen behind Osaki-san in the image to the left is a distinctive feature of the riverbank today. The Castle also contains numerous artifacts of Osaki's important presence in Gillette's life.

Sherlock shout-out. Sherlock is thrilled to welcome new members/recent donors Paula M., Andrea K., Michael K., Anna B., and Cam C.!

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