F.+Middlesex+County

=** ﻿ Locations with * denote field trips the school went on last year. ** =  **Connecticut River Museum** (67 Main Street Essex) This museum is housed in a restored 1878 warehouse where steamboats used to stop for freight and passengers on their way to Hartford or New York. The exhibits displayed will put into perspective the role the river played in the state’s development. There also is a full-size replica of the ill fated //American Turtle//, the world’s first submarine that was built before the Revolutionary War. [|www.ctrivermuseum.org]

**The Valley Railroad** (1 Railroad Avenue Essex) This is a vintage steam train that winds its way through the countryside and stops in Deep River, the next town. You can continue on by train or jump on a riverboat up the Connecticut River, which will take you back to Deep River. The combo trip takes about 2 ½ hours. Students may be familiar with the railroad because there are exhibits such as Day out with Thomas, Polar Express and Santa Station. The steam train also can be used in connection with a visit to Gillette Castle. [|www.essexsteamtrain.com]

**Gillette Castle State Park** (67 River Road East Haddam) William Gillette took five years to build Gillette Castle, his “eccentric dream house.” He created the locks for each of the 47 doors and designed the carved oak trim in the enormous living room. Classes can visit the castle or combine trips with the Essex Steam Train and/or riverboat ferry. The castle is open from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day. []