Madame Sherri’s Castle
The Madame Sherri Forest is named after a former owner, Madame Antoinette Sherri, a Paris-born theatrical costume designer who worked in New York City during the early 1900s. She and her husband built a French-inspired chateau summer house in Chesterfield that featured extensive stonework including a roman arch stairway, ornate interior, and designed landscape gardens. There they lavishly entertained their New York City friends at parties during the Roaring 1920s. Madame Sherri became famous – or infamous – for her wild parties. However, in time Madame Sherri’s fortunes declined, and her castle fell to ruin and vandalism. After a long separation, she returned to the house in 1959 to find the interior badly vandalized. She left, heartbroken, never to return again. The house burned down completely in 1963. Today, ancient sugar maples surround a stone foundation and stairway, a large empty fireplace tapers to a freestanding chimney. This is all that remains of the former summer home of Madame Sherri who died in Brattleboro Vermont on October 21, 1965.
What to Photograph
The ruins of Madame Sherri’s home or “Castle” including what is referred to as the “Stairway to Heaven” along with the beautiful Madame Sherri Forest.
Where it is:
The Madame Sherri Forest is located on the Gulf Road. Coming from the east on Rt. 9 take Rt. 63 south through Chesterfield Village past the town hall. At approx. 1.6 miles from Rt. 9 take a right on Stage Rd. and then shortly after bear left onto Castle Rd. Castle Rd will join Gulf Rd and continues to the Madame Sherri Forest approx. 2.6 miles from Rt. 63. The entrance on the left is notable for a red steel gate. From the west take a right just after the Riverside Store along the Connecticut River. Gulf Rd. bears quickly off to the left and continues approx. 2.2 miles to the forest entrance. All nonmotorized travel is welcomed on the trails.
From the parking lot, the foundation, chimneys, and grand stone staircase of the former Madame Sherri “castle” are just 100 feet up a short side trail.
Historic photo of the Madame Sherri Castle.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
42°51’52.999″ N 72°31’10” W
Cost:
RESTRICTIONS
- No wheeled vehicles (including Bicycles)
- No Motorized wheeled vehicles (ATVs, trucks, dirt bikes)
- No Camping
- No Fires
- Carry in, Carry out all trash
- Do not disturb plants, animals, or cultural features
- No guaranteed winter access
Hours:
The location is always open, however it may not be accessible in winter.
Facilities:
There are no facilities at this location.
Location Contact Information:
Madame Sherri’s Castle Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in New Hampshire:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State
Great Places for Great Photos
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Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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