If you're ever in Connecticut this is a must-see. Something like 75
doors, all different, each with a wooden latch, and the latches are all
different, and after almost a hundred years, they all still work. Also
wooden light switches, window latches, and a card table with built-in
cat toys, among other features.

I was up there Sunday and got pictures of some of them, and some of the
other details, before my battery died.

William Gillette, for those who don't know of him, was the actor who
created the image which we normally associate with Sherlock Holmes--a
lot of the details of attire and personal style didn't appear in Conan
Doyle's work but were created on the stage by William Gillette.

Gillette Castle was his house in Connecticut--it's not all that large,
but definitely unique. He used to have 3 miles of track and a steam
locomotive, but those were sold to an amusement park long ago.

The photos I've got are at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3938372...7600350078202/.

The official site is http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325204.

If you search flickr.com on keywords "gillette castle" there are 758
photos of the castle and its environs up, not a lot of the details of
the woodwork though.

One of these days I'm going back with a more capable camera. Would be
fun to get permission from the Powers That Be and do a photo shoot with
tripod and proper lighting, but don't known when I would get to that.


--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

On Jun 13, 5:04 pm, "J. Clarke" wrote:
If you're ever in Connecticut this is a must-see. Something like 75
doors, all different, each with a wooden latch, and the latches are all
different, and after almost a hundred years, they all still work. Also
wooden light switches, window latches, and a card table with built-in
cat toys, among other features.

I was up there Sunday and got pictures of some of them, and some of the
other details, before my battery died.

William Gillette, for those who don't know of him, was the actor who
created the image which we normally associate with Sherlock Holmes--a
lot of the details of attire and personal style didn't appear in Conan
Doyle's work but were created on the stage by William Gillette.

Gillette Castle was his house in Connecticut--it's not all that large,
but definitely unique. He used to have 3 miles of track and a steam
locomotive, but those were sold to an amusement park long ago.

The photos I've got are athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/39383723@N00/sets/72157600350078202/.

The official site ishttp://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325204.

If you search flickr.com on keywords "gillette castle" there are 758
photos of the castle and its environs up, not a lot of the details of
the woodwork though.

One of these days I'm going back with a more capable camera. Would be
fun to get permission from the Powers That Be and do a photo shoot with
tripod and proper lighting, but don't known when I would get to that.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

If you do go back try to ride the ferry across the river , it's a nice
trip.

If you're ever in Connecticut this is a must-see. Something like 75
doors, all different, each with a wooden latch, and the latches are all
different, and after almost a hundred years, they all still work. Also
wooden light switches, window latches, and a card table with built-in
cat toys, among other features.

The place was damn near destroyed from neglect a few years ago. In their
usual zeal to save money, state officials scrimped on budget for maintenance
and eventually the roof failed and there was major water damage inside.
They had to close the place down for several years to make repairs and, as
you stated, all the doors are one-offs and each one needed custom repairs,
as did the extensive woodwork throughout the place.

Lee


--
To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon"

_________________________________
Lee Gordon
http://www.leegordonproductions.com

beecrofter wrote:
On Jun 13, 5:04 pm, "J. Clarke" wrote:
If you're ever in Connecticut this is a must-see. Something like 75
doors, all different, each with a wooden latch, and the latches are
all
different, and after almost a hundred years, they all still work.
Also
wooden light switches, window latches, and a card table with built-in
cat toys, among other features.

I was up there Sunday and got pictures of some of them, and some of
the
other details, before my battery died.

William Gillette, for those who don't know of him, was the actor who
created the image which we normally associate with Sherlock Holmes--a
lot of the details of attire and personal style didn't appear in
Conan
Doyle's work but were created on the stage by William Gillette.

Gillette Castle was his house in Connecticut--it's not all that
large,
but definitely unique. He used to have 3 miles of track and a steam
locomotive, but those were sold to an amusement park long ago.

The photos I've got are
athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/39383723@N00/sets/72157600350078202/.

The official site
ishttp://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325204.

If you search flickr.com on keywords "gillette castle" there are 758
photos of the castle and its environs up, not a lot of the details of
the woodwork though.

One of these days I'm going back with a more capable camera. Would
be
fun to get permission from the Powers That Be and do a photo shoot
with
tripod and proper lighting, but don't known when I would get to that.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

If you do go back try to ride the ferry across the river , it's a nice
trip.

Did that going home. Good view of the castle from the ferry.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

It's a shame, that when they rebuilt the place, they used a stone mason that
didn't have a clue how to repair the walls of the house properly. All of the
stone work on the outside of Gillette Castle used to look like the
ornamental walls that are around it with the mortar between the stones
almost invisible and the stones themselves placed very tightly together.
After they rebuilt the place it looks like an amateur stone mason did it.
The stones no longer fit closely together and the mortar between them has
become the most visible feature. Still, the place is very interesting,
especially for a woodworker. Even the light switches in the walls are
covered with custom made wood handles, no 2 doors are alike, and much of the
furniture is custom made to match the decor of the place. It's a bit creepy,
but very interesting.

Charley


"Lee Gordon" wrote in message
...
If you're ever in Connecticut this is a must-see. Something like 75
doors, all different, each with a wooden latch, and the latches are all
different, and after almost a hundred years, they all still work. Also
wooden light switches, window latches, and a card table with built-in
cat toys, among other features.

The place was damn near destroyed from neglect a few years ago. In their
usual zeal to save money, state officials scrimped on budget for
maintenance
and eventually the roof failed and there was major water damage inside.
They had to close the place down for several years to make repairs and, as
you stated, all the doors are one-offs and each one needed custom repairs,
as did the extensive woodwork throughout the place.

Lee


--
To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon"

_________________________________
Lee Gordon
http://www.leegordonproductions.com