Programs for Students 

Life in Medieval Society

Your students have the opportunity to visit a real castle and learn about castle life through an interactive presentation in the Great Hall, a tour of the castle that  focuses on on both medieval life and the castle's unique collection of medieval artifacts and architecture, and a visit to the tower dungeon.  The inventions room may be requested, but is not usually part of this tour. Recommended for 2nd-8th grade

Length of Tour:   90 minutes
Minimum group size = 20
Maximum group size = 80

John Hays Hammond, Jr., "An American Inventor"

This is a first person presentation of John Hays Hammond Jr.  Students meet Dr. John Hays Hammond, Jr. at the drawbridge the drawbridge and learn how a man born in 1888 became a millionaire by the age of 19, developed over 800 inventions, and worked for the future while surrounding himself with the past.  His choice of subjects varies with each program, but generally includes talks about his collection of medieval artifacts, friends, travels, legendary pipe organ, and inventions that have made our lives so convenient today.  

Appropriate for any age, adults included.
Tour length:   90 minutes
Minimum group size = 20
Maximum group size = 80

Adult Tours: 

Hammond's Castle Home Tour

Your visit will take you through one of the most unique homes in America.  John Hays Hammond Jr., America's second greatest inventor built his castle home on the rocky Atlantic shore in Gloucester, MA.  The castle functioned both as a home and as the site of the Hammond Research Corporation's laboratories.  The Hammonds surrounded themselves with priceless artifacts from around the world.  Our staff will guide you room by room through the castle, including the massive great hall with its colossal pipe organ, the indoor courtyard, Renaissance dining room, Gothic and American guestrooms, and inventions room. 

Appropriate for any age. 
Tour length:   90 minutes.
Minimum group size = 20
Maximum group size = 80 

Unfortunately, since we have had several guests fall already on Museum property please be aware that there are many stairs both outside and inside the castle as it is a historic house museum and does not have elevators.  If you have problems walking down the stairs from our parking lot it is suggested that you not try navigating the many stair cases inside the museum itself. 

Irene Fenton Hammond (An American Idealist)

A new tour experience featuring the role of the wife of John Hays Hammond Jr. and her love for Hammond Castle, her early years, their meeting and courtship and her involvement with the Museum and her collection of stained glass, pewter and glassware (recently reinstalled) her thoughts about her multi talented inventor husband and her overall contributions to "Abbadia Mare" their castle home.  This tour is specifically geared towards ladies groups, and garden clubs. 

Appropriate for any age. Tour Length:  90 minutes.

Booking Information

Group tours are available year round when booked TWO WEEKS in advance.  Tours last one and a half hours and may accommodate a visit to the gift shop, if you wish.  Review the following information and call to reserve your own personal encounter with Hammond Castle! 

Cost per person:
$8.00 for school groups
$9.00 for adult groups 

Complimentary Tickets:  
Teachers with the group who are members of the MTA and the bus driver are admitted free of charge. 

Tours of over 80 people WILL NOT BE BOOKED.  If you have a larger group pleade plan on booking the first 80 people at a specific time, and the second group two (2) hours later.

Advance Payment:  
Effective immediatedly you will be required to pay for your TOUR IN ADVANCE using your VISA or MASTERCARD.  The full amount is payable at the TIME OF BOOKING.  Any changes in the number or people or the balance owed will be handled by credit card or company check at the time of arrival.    

Cancellation Policy:  
There is NO cancellation policy.  You pay at time of booking.  If you do not appear on the day or time scheduled your card will have previously been charged that full amount, and there will be no credit or refund. 

Late Arrivals:  
Groups that arrive over fifteen (15) minutes late cannot be guaranteed a full tour if another tour following theirs.  Groups over thirty (30) minutes late will have to conduct their own non-guided tour.  A phone call to the Museum concerning your tardiness will not constitute a change in this policy.  It is your responsibility to arrive at Hammond Museum at the time you have previously booked, and be on time.

Buses:  
Please park buses at the far end of the upper parking lot.  As a courtesy to the neighbors of the museum, please do not leave buses running in the parking lot. 

Accessibility:  
Hammond Castle Museum was constructed to closely resemble a medieval castle and contains rough stone floors and narrow spiral stair cases (the castle has no elevator).  Physically challenged visitors may bring up to four persons to assist them in viewing the castle.  A video is also available which may be viewed in the castle's gift shop. 

Photography:  
The museum welcomes the use of  hand-held cameras (flashes are allowed).  Museum policy does not allow the use of tripods.

Picnicking:  
Picnicking is not allowed on the castle grounds.  We recommend Stage Fort Park in Gloucester for a nice view of Gloucester Harbor with your meal.  (There is charge to park buses.)

We kindly ask that visitors to the museum do not handle museum artifacts or parts of the building itself such as doors and columns.  Please do not bring food, drink, gum or portable listening devices into the museum.  Smoking is not permitted.  Members of a group causing disturbances may be asked to leave in order to ensure the enjoyment of the remaining members of the group.

Because Hammond Castle is well attended during summer months, we recommend booking well in advance.  All group tours must be scheduled and confirmed.  A request sent in writing of left in a phone message does not constitute a reservation of a date.