Madame Sherri's Castle Ruins | A Legendary
Site in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire
It was a photo from our online gallery
that sparked my interest: a sweeping, arched staircase constructed of
stone, fallen leaves strewn along its steps, curving upward to end
mid-air in the midst of a forest. It was titled simply “Madame Sherri
Castle Ruins, Chesterfield, NH.” Castle ruins in New Hampshire? Now
that’s something worth exploring!
We weren’t planning on seeking out Madame Sherri’s castle last weekend, but as Jim and I cruised along Route 9 from Keene, New Hampshire, toward Brattleboro, Vermont,
with no particular destination in mind, it seemed as good a time as any
to make a detour. A quick Google search returned a site that listed the
ruins’ location as Castle Road in Chesterfield, and off we went.
Truth be told, I was starting to think we might have missed it when Jim spotted the sign for the “Madame Sherri Forest” marking the parking-lot entrance. After a quick perusal of the map at the information kiosk, we crossed the footbridge and headed in the direction of the Ann Stokes Loop — a trail extending almost two miles through both the Madame Sherri Forest and the Cook Town Forest. When the path split, we veered right, catching our first glimpse of the ruins, and within minutes, were at the foot of the massive stairway.
It seems improbable, really. You wouldn’t expect to find the remains
of a “castle” tucked into the southwest corner of the Granite State, yet
there it is. Stories swirl around these ruins and its former occupant,
but most folks in the area seem to agree on a few points: Madame
Antoinette Sherri, a costume designer from New York, began buying land
in the small village of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, in the late 1920s;
she planned to build an extravagant summer home on the property. Her
mantra, purportedly, was “Only the best,” and for years she threw wildly
lavish parties at her “castle,” hosting an eclectic band of friends
from the city. Until her money ran out, that is.
Madame Sherri eventually moved on, leaving the chateau to fall into
disrepair, and it burned down on October 18, 1962. What remains today is
the stonework from the staircase, the foundation, columns, and a
fireplace. These medieval-looking ruins continue to spark the
imagination of photographers, nature lovers, and more than a few ghost
hunters. Legend has it that the lady herself has been spotted atop the
grand staircase — which some refer to as the “stairway to heaven” — and
that if you listen closely, you’ll hear the faint strains of laughter
and music coming from the ruins.
While we didn’t hear or see anything supernatural on our visit, this is one stop not to miss if you’re traveling through southern New Hampshire.
Article: Madame Sherri | New Hampshire’s Most Eccentric Resident?
Photograph: Share the photo of Madame Sherri’s Castle Ruins
Follow Rte. 9 to Rte. 63 South
Turn right on Stage Road
Bear left onto Castle Road
Castle Rd joins Gulf Road
Watch for the MME SHERRI FOREST sign and parking lot on the left.
From Vermont:
Take Rte. 9 East into New Hampshire
Turn right onto Gulf Road just after the Riverside Store along the Connecticut River
Gulf Road makes a hard left, if you end up following the river, you’ve missed the turn.
Watch for the MME SHERRI FOREST sign and parking lot on the right.
Learn More about the Madame Sherri Forest
Chesterfield Conservation Commission: The Madame Sherri Forest
This photo, taken by Lindsey Ocker, sent us on our quest to explore Madame Sherri’s Castle Ruins
Truth be told, I was starting to think we might have missed it when Jim spotted the sign for the “Madame Sherri Forest” marking the parking-lot entrance. After a quick perusal of the map at the information kiosk, we crossed the footbridge and headed in the direction of the Ann Stokes Loop — a trail extending almost two miles through both the Madame Sherri Forest and the Cook Town Forest. When the path split, we veered right, catching our first glimpse of the ruins, and within minutes, were at the foot of the massive stairway.
Photo/Art by Photo Courtesy of Brattleboro Historical Society
Madame Antoinette Sherri
Photo/Art by Photo Courtesy of Brattleboro Historical Society
Madame Sherri’s MansionWhile we didn’t hear or see anything supernatural on our visit, this is one stop not to miss if you’re traveling through southern New Hampshire.
Article: Madame Sherri | New Hampshire’s Most Eccentric Resident?Photograph: Share the photo of Madame Sherri’s Castle Ruins
Photo/Art by Brenda Darroch
Watch for the sign for MME SHERRI Forest
Photo/Art by Brenda Darroch
Watch for the sign for MME SHERRI ForestDirections to Madame Sherri’s Castle Ruins on Gulf Road in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire
From New Hampshire:Follow Rte. 9 to Rte. 63 South
Turn right on Stage Road
Bear left onto Castle Road
Castle Rd joins Gulf Road
Watch for the MME SHERRI FOREST sign and parking lot on the left.
From Vermont:
Take Rte. 9 East into New Hampshire
Turn right onto Gulf Road just after the Riverside Store along the Connecticut River
Gulf Road makes a hard left, if you end up following the river, you’ve missed the turn.
Watch for the MME SHERRI FOREST sign and parking lot on the right.
Learn More about the Madame Sherri Forest
Chesterfield Conservation Commission: The Madame Sherri Forest
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