Madame Sherri's Castle

The ruins were once a French-inspired summer house built by Antoinette Sherri, a costume designer from Paris, in 1929. The site sits today in a 513-acre forest on the eastern slope of Wantastiquet Mountain and still displays a curved stone staircase, columns, and foundation walls.

The structure was built in 1929 by a costume designer from Paris to serve as a seasonal retreat for the wealthy. A fire in 1962 completely destroyed the main building, leaving behind only the heavy stone and concrete elements.

The location was a gathering place for wealthy New Yorkers and theater performers in the 1920s and 1930s, drawn by the extravagant parties that Madame Sherri hosted here. These social events made it a symbol of that glamorous era.

A marked trail system leads visitors from the forest parking lot to the ruins, and climbing on the remaining structures is not permitted. The best times to explore are during dry conditions, when the paths are easy to walk.

An ancient stone staircase leads to empty space where the mansion once stood, surrounded by centuries-old sugar maples. This contrast between heavy architecture and quiet nature makes the place particularly moving.