This month: Celebrations honoring Yukitaka Osaki, William Gillette's secretary, confidante and friend. We announce the start of preparations for the holiday program. A new water tank is coming, due to generous donations from the Japan Society of Greater Hartford and the FOGCSP Board.
Join us in celebrating the life of Yukitaka Osaki,
Saturday, Oct. 1

A graveside blessing, a highly regarded one-man play, and a reception with snacks from the Hadlyme Country Market!
12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 - A traditional Buddhist dedication ceremony will be held at Osaki-san's graveside, at the historic Cove Cemetery, 89 Ferry Road, Lyme, CT. 

Approximately 1 p.m. Saturday Oct. 1 - (following the dedication), the East Haddam Stage Company will present a performance of the one-man drama based on his life, 'Osaki-san, William Gillette’s Gentleman Valet' with actor Taku Hirai. The 50-minute performance will be at the Chester-Hadlyme ferry landing, where Osaki's house is still standing on the grounds of Gillette Castle State Park. 

Visitors can enjoy snacks and hot coffee from the Hadlyme Country Market after the performance.

All activities will take place outdoors. (Rain date is Sunday Oct. 2). Parking at the landing or carpooling from the Gillette Castle parking lot is suggested.

We've heard great things about this performance and we hope to see you there!


For more information, please contact Kandie Carle of the East Haddam Stage Company at 860-873-3521, or info@EHSCO.org.
A new water tank for the park
Water tank
It has been a tough summer for our newly planted cherry trees from the Japan Society of Greater Hartford. But park staff have given the trees a couple of soakings to help them get through the challenges of the drought.

A brand-new 65-gallon water tank will make the job MUCH easier in future. Many thanks to the board of the Friends and to the Japan Society of Greater Hartford for the donation of this tank!
We're getting ready for the holiday program and we need your help!
The Castle is closed for the season, but we still want to make sure we can serve as a local hub for holiday cheer!

We're planning an active program of music for every Saturday and Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we're hoping to have a few fun activities for the young and young at heart.

"Helen and William Gillette" will greet visitors at 2 p.m. Sundays at the Visitor Center.

PLUS - hot cider and snacks, a blazing fire pit, and external decorations to lift your spirits.

We could use volunteers to help organize all of this. Please drop us a line at gillettecastlevolunteers@gmail.com if you are willing to lend a hand!