A State Park

After Gillette's death in 1937, the castle's ownership transferred to a niece or nephew who was not able to afford the upkeep and the State of Connecticut purchased the property in 1943, making it a state park. In Gillette's will he stated that he did not want his home and property to "fall into the hands of some blithering saphead who has no conception of where he is or with what surrounded" (CT DEP). The state has kept his home in great shape and about ten years ago did a major restoration project on the castle and the grounds.