Press Releases
11/15/2024
Celebrate the 2024 Winter Holidays at Two Connecticut State Park Museums
Enjoy Gillette Castle and Osborne Homestead Museum
(HARTFORD)--The winter holiday season is upon us, and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) State Parks & Public Outreach Division plans to celebrate with the festive transformation of two of its historic homes: Gillette Castle in East Haddam and Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby.
“We encourage everyone to experience this wonderful holiday opportunity in our Connecticut State Parks,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “The efforts of so many volunteers to help transform these historic homes to reflect the holiday spirit is truly remarkable. Please consider adding a trip to Gillette Castle or Osborne Homestead to the list of opportunities for you and your family to celebrate the joy of the holiday season.”
Gillette Castle State Park
Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam is the former home of William Gillette, most famous for his acting role portraying Sherlock Holmes. The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park and volunteers from other state park Friends groups, local community organizations, and businesses help decorate the Castle for the holiday season.
The Castle welcomes visitors from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. for Holiday Castle Tours on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as the Friday after Thanksgiving. Entrance fees to visit the Castle are $6.00 for adults (13+ years) and $2.00 for youth (6-12 years; 5 years and under are free).
Tours are self-guided and average an hour. As visitor capacity in this historic castle is limited, visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time through Reserve America prior to visiting. Grounds of the Gillette Castle State Park remain open daily, year-round, from 8:00 a.m. until sunset.
Osborne Homestead Museum
An Eco Holiday theme winds its way throughout the historic home of Mrs. Frances Osborne Kellogg at the Osbornedale State Park in Derby. Local garden clubs and other community groups volunteer to decorate the Osborne Homestead Museum for the holiday season in homage to the world’s “biomes,” or areas with distinct environmental characteristics (for example: deserts, rain forests, arctic tundra). Decorators transform recyclable and throwaway materials into masterpieces representing eight different biomes. The displays offer visitors the opportunity to learn about each biome’s uniqueness and how people can take action to protect them. DEEP encourages one and all to come to this hidden gem in Derby to enjoy the holiday décor and learn about environmental protection along the way.
The Museum holiday tours operate from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays from November 29 through December 22. For a special experience, take in the golden glow of Twilight Tours, which are offered from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on December 6, 13, and 20. Visitors can opt for either self-guided or guided tours. Admission is free. Reservations, including group reservations, can be made by calling 203-734-2513. Walk-ins and donations are welcome.
“These holiday tours are a joyful way our Connecticut State Parks connect visitors to the historic and cultural aspects of the DEEP mission, and we hope many will take the time to visit these extraordinary sites,” said Jeremy Hall, DEEP State Parks Acting Director.
Established in 1913, the mission of the Connecticut State Park System is to provide natural resource based public recreational and educational opportunities through a system of state park and forest recreation areas, environmental centers, and nature centers which provide an understanding of, access to, and enjoyment of the state’s historic, cultural, and natural resources.
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110