Guided & Self-Guided Tours of Hammond Castle Museum

Hammond Castle Museum is the home and laboratory of John Hays Hammond Jr., one of the most prolific American inventors of the 20th century! The Museum is a STEAM organization (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) as well as a historic house museum and lapidarium, with works of stone and marble given prominence over the paintings more commonly emphasized in other museums. We believe that this unconventional blend makes our Museum a unique New England treasure.

The Museum offers multiple ways to visit:

Guided Tours: Led by a member of Hammond Castle Museum’s talented tours staff, Guided Tours of the Museum last approximately 35-40 minutes and cover basic information about the history of the building and its inhabitants. Major areas covered include parts of the former Laboratory, the vast Great Hall, and the breathtaking Courtyard. After visitors learn about these areas, they have the opportunity to explore numerous other rooms in the former Hammond residence and the exhibits within.

Self-Guided Tours: Visitors may move through the galleries of Hammond Castle Museum at their own pace. The Hammond Castle Museum Self-Guided Tour Booklet provides extensive and detailed information about the history of the building and its inhabitants, as well as a suggested route to follow through the galleries. On most days, the last ticket for self-guided tours is sold at 3:15 pm to allow time for visitors to fully explore the museum which closes promptly at 4:00 pm.

Thursday Evening Guided Tours: (Available in July, August & September) Led by a member of Hammond Castle Museum’s talented tours staff, Evening Guided Tours of the Museum last approximately 35-40 minutes and cover basic information about the history of the building and its inhabitants. Major areas covered include parts of the former Laboratory, the vast Great Hall, and the breathtaking Courtyard. After visitors learn about these areas, they have the opportunity to explore numerous other rooms in the former Hammond residence and the exhibits within. Don’t miss your chance to see the Museum as you’ve never seen it before!

Thursday Evening Self-Guided Tours: (Available in July, August & September) Self-Guided Evening Tours give visitors the opportunity to move through the galleries of Hammond Castle Museum at their own pace. The Hammond Castle Museum Self-Guided Tour Booklet provides extensive and detailed information about the history of the building and its inhabitants, as well as a suggested route to follow through the galleries. The last ticket for Evening Self-Guided Tours is sold at 7 pm. Don’t miss your chance to see the Museum as you’ve never seen it before!

Spiritualism & Candlelight Tours: (Available in July, August, September and October) Not recommended for Children under 13. Hammond Castle Museum’s Spiritualism & Candlelight Tours are an opportunity to explore the history of the Spiritualist movement and the occult side of the Museum’s past. From John Hays Hammond Jr.’s attempts to communicate with supernatural entities using a Faraday Cage, to Irene Fenton Hammond’s extensive astrological writings under a mysterious pen name; throughout this 55-minute fully-guided specialty tour, the dramatic gothic-inspired architecture of the building and night-time atmosphere will set the stage for a fun and informative seasonal experience unlike any other! Electronic candles will be provided for optional use by visitors for the duration of the Spiritualism & Candlelight Tours.

Gloucester Gratis Days: Complimentary Self-Guided Tours for Gloucester Residents: Visit the breathtaking home of one of the most prolific American inventors of the 20th century and enjoy free, self-guided tours on Tuesdays! In keeping with our founder, John Hays Hammond, Jr.’s original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum is please offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular season which runs through the beginning of November. Guests should plan at least 60 minutes to explore the grounds and galleries of this historic museum. Self-guided tours allow visitors to move through the galleries of Hammond Castle Museum at their own pace. The Hammond Castle Museum Self-Guided Tour Booklet provides extensive and detailed information about the history of the building and its inhabitants, as well as a suggested route to follow through the galleries. Proof of residency for all Gloucester Gratis Days reservations is required upon check-in at the Museum.

PLEASE NOTE: On most days, the last entrance for a self-guided tour is at 3:15 pm to allow time for visitors to fully explore the Museum and museum grounds which close promptly at 4:00 pm. There are a handful of days throughout the season when the Museum will close a half hour early and the last entrance will be at 2:45pm. Please check our calendar of events to check the date of your visit.