When the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry makes one of its inaugural 2022 round trips across the Connecticut River at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2, a group of supporters intends to make the occasion special.

“We’ve all missed the view from the river during the long winter, so we want to rejoice in its return to the landing area near Gillette Castle,” said Lynn Wilkinson, president of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park.

“Several members of our organization plan to make that morning’s initial round trip together, and we imagine others might want to join us,” she added.

The boat is expected to load first on the Chester side and make its five-minute run east to the Hadlyme landing adjacent to the park.

“We can promise convivial conversations with members of the Friends,” Wilkinson said. “They’ll be eager to talk about Gillette Castle, its history and our own activities.”

Access to the western landing is on Route 148 at Ferry Road in Chester. The eastern landing is on park property at the base of Seventh Sister Hill, with a road and footpath leading up to the castle, the eccentric, century-old home of the late actor William Gillette.

The park itself is in the towns of East Haddam and Lyme along the Connecticut River, and is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.

Ferry passengers will be charged current rates to ride the 65-foot diesel-run Selden III, which include a walk-on charge of $2 to pedestrians and bicyclists, $5 for vehicles on weekdays and $6 for vehicles on weekends. A $3 commuter rate requires pre-purchased coupons priced in a book of 20 for $60.

The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry began service in 1769 as Warner’s Ferry, and is one of the oldest continuously operating ferries in the United States. It is Connecticut’s second-oldest ferry service, after the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry, which began in 1655.

The ferry is expected to operate through Nov. 30, and will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Additional ferry information may be found online at portal.ct.gov/DOT/Traveler/ferries/Chester-Hadlyme-Ferry.

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