This day trip took us to Gloucester to visit the beautiful Hammond Castle Museum. It is a sprawling medieval-style complex that features a significant collection of architectural artifacts that have been built into the castle itself. It was built in the 1920s by inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. and was his home, laboratory, and museum.
Hammond was a prolific American inventor with over 800 patents covering over 400 distinct inventions. Many of his inventions pioneered the technologies that we use today in radio control, television, robotics, kitchen appliances, toys, and games. You can book a tour, or you can wander the museum and grounds on a self-guided tour.
Hammond Castle Museum is located at 80 Hesperus Ave. Gloucester, MA. Open daily 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; last entrance is at 2:45 p.m. Call 978-283-2080 or visit hammondcastle.org. Tickets through November 16: Teens and adults: $20; Seniors age 65+ $15; children 5-12 $10. The museum is not handicapped accessible for assistive devices such as wheelchairs and walkers due to the number of stairs. Tickets for visits between November 21, 2026, and January 3, 2027, will be available later in the year.