Hammond Castle Museum was originally built in the late 1920s as a home for inventor, scientist and art collector John Hays Hammond Jr. Perched high on a cliff with Atlantic Ocean views, the magnificent fortress is a fitting site for Hammond’s extraordinary collections. Admire the stone archways and windows inspired by medieval castles before stepping inside to explore.
A world traveler with a love for old European art and architecture, Hammond was described as a man of the future who chose to live in the past. Discover the intriguing combination of elements crossing several eras, from the medieval period to the Renaissance. He also added his own designs and inventions, including fixtures in the courtyard. You’ll see the pool that’s dyed bright green and learn the story of the weather system that allowed Hammond to create rain, sunlight or fog on demand.
Enter the Great Hall to admire a 15th-century French fireplace and stunning rose window. The room was designed as a concert hall with rippled stone walls for superior acoustics. It’s here that you’ll find one of the highlights of the house, a huge organ with 8,400 pipes. It was once among the largest in the world and played by master organists.
Explore the rooms throughout the house, complete with displays of antiquities and artifacts. The Invention Room showcases Hammond’s work as an engineer and inventor via rotating exhibits. See a holographic projection of him among his innovative works.
Join a guided tour to learn about the history of Hammond and the castle. Tours last about 30 minutes and include stops in the Great Hall, the former laboratory and the courtyard. Self-guided tours allow you to explore at your own pace with the same access to the exhibits. If you’re interested only in the exterior, guests are welcome to visit a section of the grounds without buying tickets. You’ll see the drawbridge, the bell tower and 13th-century arches.
Hammond Castle Museum is open daily from April through October and weekends on November and December. Check the schedule for seasonal opening hours and purchase tickets online or at the venue.
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