Vincent Benic Architect | 611 Broadway, Suite 817 New York, NY

The award winning Gillette Castle Historic Museum was a unique project in which VBA was retained as a preservation consultant for the interior and exterior restoration. The building was the former residence of actor William Gillette, located in East Haddam, CT. The Mansion was converted into a museum by the State of Connecticut, the rooms becoming historic exhibits. The early 20th century Arts & Crafts style building required restoration of several unique masonry and wood construction systems. The exterior stone façade was restored and the elaborate interior woodwork, stonework, wood floor, wall coverings, and tapestries were restored. The existing light fixtures restored and new period light fixtures were replicated. The historic building’s infrastructure systems were also upgraded. New mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems were carefully incorporated into existing historic fabric. Life safety and egress systems were upgraded with the introduction of a new fire alarm and sprinkler system. An existing stair case was restored while a new ADA stair case was added to the Museum. The project is on the National Registry of Historic Homes and received a Connecticut Preservation Society Award.