Hammond Castle Museum – A Historic & Dynamic Museum Experience

  • Open Daily with limited exceptions
  • Open most major holidays including, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day
  • April 3 – January 4, 2027
  • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Last entrance is at 2:45. The Museum and grounds close sharply at 3:30 pm.

Hammond Castle Museum was the home and laboratory of John Hays Hammond Jr., one of America’s most prolific inventors and the “Father of Radio Control.” Built between 1926 and 1929 and incorporated as a museum in 1930, the Museum blends medieval, Gothic, and French village architectural styles, offering visitors a unique historical and cultural experience in Massachusetts.

Today, Hammond Castle Museum is a dynamic, STEAM-inspired museum blending historical significance with rich collections and contemporary educational programming. Inside, visitors can explore ancient, medieval, and Renaissance architectural elements, including stone archways, sarcophagi, grave markers, an extraordinary lapidary collection of stone and marble works. Newly curated content and archival items not publicly seen in generations provide fresh insight into the provenance and stories behind the collection.

Hammond Castle Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2026 Temporary Exhibits at Hammond Castle Museum
This year, the Museum presents four temporary exhibits. Access to the exhibitions is included with your general admission:

  • Eric Pape Fine Art Exhibition (April 3 – April 26, 2026)
    Featuring over 100 rare pen and ink illustrations by Golden Age artist Eric Pape, this immersive exhibit includes original works created for classic literary titles such as The Arabian Nights, Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen, Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo, works by William Shakespeare, and The Heart of a Child by Gertrude Slaughter. Most of these pieces have not been publicly exhibited since Pape’s death in 1938.
  • Inside the Faraday Cage: The Science of Things That Aren’t So (May 2 – September 7, 2026)
    Is a temporary exhibition exploring John Hays Hammond Jr.’s 1950s experiments with extrasensory perception, consciousness, and communication with spirits. Visitors can step into an interactive, life-size representation of a Faraday cage, take photos with life-size cutouts of Hammond and psychic medium Eileen Garrett, and experience the sensation of being inside a Faraday cage while viewing artifacts from the 1951 experiments.
  • Brave Too Much: The Legend of John Coffee Hays (May 2 – September 7, 2026)
    The Hays in John Hays Hammond Jr. is a tribute to his great-uncle, Colonel John Coffee Hays. Called “Captain Jack” by his friends and “Devil Jack” by his enemies, this lawman and soldier had a life and career so storied and successful that it has passed into legend. This is a rare case when legend is inseparable from documented history. From Tennessee to Texas to Mexico to California, Jack Hays cantered along a trail of adventure and glory rivaled by few in U.S. history. Yet this Texas Ranger-turned-military commander-turned-Sheriff remained humble; our exhibit is not bound by such restraint.
  • Deck the Halls Holiday Celebration, A Museum-Wide Installation (November 21 –January 3, 2027)
    For the 2026 holiday season, Deck the Halls transforms Hammond Castle Museum into an immersive winter wonderland where historic rooms are lavishly dressed with lush greenery, sparkling lights, White Birch and Christmas trees, elegant bows, and festive wreaths that celebrate the season’s romance and grandeur. Each space has its own magical theme filled with joyful details like nutcracker guards, last season it presented a gingerbread house replica of the castle, playful elves, and even menorahs honoring Hanukkah, while Deck the Halls by Candlelight tours offer a warm, glowing experience in the evenings that showcases the Museum’s opulent décor through flickering lights and candlelit pathways

 

Why Visit Hammond Castle Museum?

  • Historic and cultural significance – Listed on the National Register of Historic Places,the Museum blends architecture, ancient artifacts, and invention history in one coastal destination.
  • Award-winning experiences – Recognized by Northshore Magazine Reader’s Choice and TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award recipient making it one of the top 10% ranking attractions worldwide, for multiple consecutive years.
  • Visitor-friendly programming: Events such as seaside concerts, En Plein Air Sketch Classes and a Renaissance Faire are just some of the offerings.
  • Different Tour Options: The Museum offers: Guided tours, self-guided that allow for flexible arrival times, and seasonal candlelight & spiritualism tours. It also offers school and group tour reservation options.
  • The Unique Collection: Hammond Castle Museum houses a one-of-a-kind architectural collection that spans centuries and continents, featuring a stone archway believed to be carved from stone from the Mount Vesuvius eruption, 15th century hand-carved wooden storefronts from France that once marked a butcher shop and a tavern, and a funerary collection of Roman grave markers and sarcophagi dating from between the 2nd and 4th centuries.

Why Kids Love Hammond Castle Museum

  • Imaginative Adventures: Kids love Hammond Castle Museum because it turns imagination into reality. From crossing the drawbridge and gazing up at soaring towers to stepping into the Great Hall like a real medieval castle, children feel like they’ve entered another world. They can descend spiral staircases, discover the indoor, green-dyed pool, and explore the whisper gallery, where even the quietest sound carries across the room.
  • Little Explorers Guide: Every child ages 5–12 receives a Little Explorers Guide with their admission ticket. This interactive guide offers a fun scavenger hunt and encourages young visitors to stay engaged, making each visit an adventure full of discovery.
  • Seasonal Programs for Kids: During July and August, Wednesday morning Bubbles & Books Story time on the Seaside Lawn is a kid-favorite. Children enjoy snacks, arts and crafts, music, and lots of bubbles while parents relax nearby.
  • Museum Shop Fun: Young visitors can shop for toys, costumes, and books in the Museum Shop, adding to the hands-on experience and making each visit memorable.
  • Family-Friendly & Affordable: Parents appreciate the Museum’s free parking and affordable general admission: children ages 4 and under visit for free, while ages 5–12 are just $10. This makes Hammond Castle Museum a fun and affordable destination for families exploring Cape Ann and the North Shore.

Flexible Self-Guided Tour Options
Enjoy the Museum at your own pace with flexible arrival times:

  • Morning Session: 9:00 am – 11:45 am
  • Afternoon Session: 11:45 am – 2:30 pm
  • We recommend allowing at least 60 minutes to fully experience the galleries, exhibitions, and historic architecture.

Plan Your Visit

Free, onsite parking is available but can be limited during peak visiting times, and advanced ticket reservations are encouraged.

Accessibility Note: Due to the historic nature of the Museum and nearly 200 steps within the Museum and grounds, it is not handicapped accessible.

Hammond Castle Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering annual memberships
and private or corporate rentals year-round.

2026 Events & Specialty Tour Guide: https://bit.ly/HCM2026Events