Join us this Saturday night for an extraordinary evening of exquisite cuisine by Missy Sallah of Glouester’s Sugar Magnolias, an open bar with beer, wine, prosecco & a signature cocktail. We’ll have dazzling live entertainment, including a fire spinner, a ballerina on pointe, a contortionist & more by Cape Ann’s Seaside Circus! We’ll also feature a string quartet by the Firebird Pops Orchestra and a DJ for dancing!
Only masks are required – costumes are optional. No mask? No problem; we’ll have some available for purchase in the Museum Shop.
Tickets are almost sold out. Don’t miss your chance to attend this enchanting Masquerade!
Join us for a captivating afternoon as we celebrate the artistry and innovation of John Hays Hammond Jr.’s extraordinary pipe organ. As the third-largest pipe organ in a private residence in the U.S., this 8,000+ pipe marvel is a masterpiece of engineering and music. This special presentation will be led by Peter Kennett, Vice President, Board of Directors at Hammond Castle Museum and Organ Restoration Team Lead, and John Roper, Deputy Team Lead and the Plenum Organ Company. Together, they will guide you through the rich history of this iconic instrument.
Discover the fascinating origins and history of the pipe organ, tracing its journey through John Hays Hammond Jr.’s two Gloucester residences. Learn about the innovative contributions of Hammond and other renowned organ designers and tonal experts, each bringing their unique vision to the instrument’s evolution. Peter Kennett and John Roper will explore the intricate details of the organ’s older components, sourced by Hammond from various locations, and share the story of the significant additions and changes made over the years.
Admission: $15. Hammond Castle Museum Member savings apply. Proceeds from this program will support the ongoing restoration efforts at the Museum.
Event Highlights: Fire Spinner, Contortionist, Juggler, Stiltwalker, Roving Harpist, String Quartet, DJ & Dancing Catering by: Gloucester’s Missy Sallah of Sugar Magnolias Open Bar: Serving Beer, Wine, Prosecco & Signature Cocktail.
Masked in mystery and draped in decadence, this unforgettable masquerade ball promises an evening of magic, intrigue, and timeless elegance. Step back in time to 15th-century Venice, where the Renaissance ignited a flourishing of art, beauty, and imagination. Originally an exclusive affair for the elite, masquerade balls grew in popularity across Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, defying societal norms by uniting rich and poor in shared celebration.
Join us at Hammond Castle Museum for an extraordinary evening of colorful costumes, captivating music, exquisite cuisine, and dazzling live entertainment. From 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, immerse yourself in the grandeur and enchantment of The Masquerade Ball of Dreams. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by the thrilling spectacle of a fire spinner, lighting your way across the drawbridge and into the Castle. Inside the Great Hall, a string quartet by the Firebird Pops Orchestra will fill the air with the timeless sounds of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Mozart, and Beethoven, setting the perfect ambiance.
Throughout the evening, a roving harpist will serenade you with Italian classics as you explore the Castle’s galleries and secret passageways. Indulge in elegant hors d’oeuvres and decadent desserts, featuring both passed and stationary selections designed by Missy Sallah of Gloucester’s Sugar Magnolias. An open bar will offer beer, wine, Prosecco, and a signature cocktail crafted especially for the night. As you mingle and dance to the DJ, captivating performers, including a juggler, contortionist, and stiltwalker, will enchant and dazzle, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder and excitement.
What to Wear? The centerpiece of your outfit will undoubtedly be a stunning mask! Masks have long been a vital part of the Venetian Carnival. Whether you wish to embody the spirit of a jester, a wizard, or a sophisticated noble, your mask offers endless possibilities for self-expression. For nearly a thousand years, the Venetian Carnival has granted individuals the rare chance to conceal their identity, gender, and social class. The mask becomes a powerful tool for liberation, allowing freedom to be yourself and engage as you please. Immerse yourself in a lavish world where masks grant you the ultimate freedom to express creativity and even challenge the status quo without fear. Beyond disguise, the mask and costume embody personal artistry and unique expression.
Join us and embrace the mesmerizing costumes & opulent atmosphere that will transport you back in time.
Join us for a detailed discussion of recent and ongoing restoration efforts at the Museum with contractor and mason Roger Tremblay and Director of Education & Visitor Services Caleb McMurphy. In the past few years, Tremblay, and his firm A+R Construction, have headed some of the most significant restoration projects in the Museum’s history, including the renovation of the Museum’s iconic 13th-century French monastery arches, originally situated in the Franciscan monastery of Couvent des Cordeliers, in Gers, France. In 2024, Tremblay’s team intervened to save a portion of the “towers” section of the building, modeled off of an 11th-century Norman keep, which had been badly damaged by winter weather.
Over the course of an hour, Roger and Caleb will discuss these and other ongoing and upcoming restoration projects, using photos taken during the work itself to give a look behind the curtain at just what it takes to maintain such a unique and historic building. After this, audience members will have a chance to ask questions of their own and get an opportunity to become involved with Hammond Castle Museum’s continuing mission to preserve John Hays Hammond Jr.’s legacy.
Member savings apply.
General Admission: $15
Proceeds from this program will support the restoration and preservation of the Hammond Castle Museum.
Ring in 2025 in regal splendor! Step into a world of enchantment as Hammond Castle Museum’s Great Hall transforms into the ultimate New Year’s Eve destination with our returning host Bruce Jaques. Dance the night away, indulge in gourmet treats, and uncover the mysteries of the Castle’s unique chambers. As the clock strikes twelve, join us for a spectacular champagne toast!
Reserve your tickets now to secure your spot at the North Shore’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve bash.
Doors open at 9:00 pm and the celebration goes to 1:00 am. 21 & Over, ID required upon arrival. Cash bar. Free parking.
Ring in 2025 in regal splendor! Step into a world of enchantment as Hammond Castle Museum’s Great Hall transforms into the ultimate New Year’s Eve destination with our returning host Bruce Jaques. Dance the night away, indulge in gourmet treats, and uncover the mysteries of the Castle’s unique chambers. As the clock strikes twelve, join us for a spectacular champagne toast and witness our dazzling New Year’s illumination.
So, gather your friends, dress to impress, and create unforgettable memories at Club Castle – the North Shore’s most magical New Year’s celebration. Welcome 2025 in unparalleled style and grandeur! Reserve your tickets now to secure your spot at the North Shore’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve bash.
Doors open at 9:00 pm and the celebration goes to 1:00 am. 21 & Over, ID required upon arrival. Cash bar.
Tonight’s the Night! We are thrilled to kick off the opening of The Terror of Abbadia Mare at Hammond Castle Museum!
As you travel through the Castle’s darkened corridors and rooms, you’ll encounter some of the most peculiar guests ever assembled. Are they members of a secret society, social and Hollywood royalty, or leaders straddling the boundaries of science and the occult? These stories are based on Hammond’s original ghost stories. Hammond’s writing style, reminiscent of the 1920s Weird Tale and the 1950s Pulp Fiction offers a unique blend of supernatural intrigue and kitschy charm
Featuring an incredible cast:
Gloucester’s own James “Jimmy T.” Tarantino as the Sailor
Anthony Lentz as John Hays Hammond Jr.
Shari Chaplin as Mrs. Irene Hammond
Lauren Casey as the Reporter
Michael Yussef Greene as Hillman, Hammond’s trusted Butler
Alison Landoni as the Mason
Join us for performances on October 21, 22, 23, and 25! Tickets are still available, so be sure to reserve yours now for an unforgettable night of suspense and theatrical magic inside our historic castle. 🎟️🔮.
Roaring 1920s and similar attire are encouraged but not required. Not intended for audiences under 13 years of age.Admission: $25
Hammond Castle Museum member discounts apply! All proceeds from this program will support the restoration and preservation of the Museum.
Prepare yourselves, honored guests, for an adventure unlike any other, as the late John Hays Hammond Jr. comes to life for a gathering of his dearest friends and respected colleagues. Within the medieval walls of Hammond’s castle home, secrets and curiosities await.
As you travel through the castle’s darkened corridors and rooms, you’ll encounter some of the most peculiar guests ever assembled. Are they members of a secret society, social and Hollywood royalty, or leaders straddling the boundaries of science and the occult? These mysterious figures have converged at Hammond Castle for a reason, and you’re about to find out why.
This unique promenade theater performance will transport you through time and space. You’ll step into different rooms and meet a captivating cast of characters ranging from Hillman, Hammond’s loyal butler to the eccentric Hammond and his glamorous wife, Irene – each with their own extraordinary tale to share. These stories have been expertly adapted by the talented Doug Cowell and are based on Hammond’s original ghost stories. Hammond’s writing style, reminiscent of the 1920s Weird Tale and the 1950s Pulp Fiction offers a unique blend of supernatural intrigue and kitschy charm.
Starring:
Anthony Lentz as John Hays Hammond Jr.
Shari Chaplin as Mrs. Irene Hammond
Lauren Casey as the Reporter
Michael Greene as Hillman, the Butler
James “Jimmy T.” Tarantino as the Sailor
Alison Landoni as the Mason
Beginning on the drawbridge, and leading through multiple rooms within, this walking, theatrical program runs just shy of 60 minutes in total. Performances begin at 6 pm and run every 15 minutes through 9 pm. **Roaring 1920s and similar attire are encouraged!**
Internationally acclaimed pianist Peter Krasinski returns to Hammond Castle Museum for a command performance to breathe new life into the 1922 silent film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, often called ‘the film that would change cinema history forever.’
Set in the medieval grandeur of our Great Hall, designed with near-perfect acoustics, this screening offers a unique blend of film and live music. As Count Orlok stalks across the screen, Krasinski’s masterful accompaniment on Hammond’s original 1920s Chickering & Sons grand piano will immerse you in an unforgettable symphony of sight and sound, creating a truly haunting experience this October.
Monday, October 14 The performance begins at 7:30 pm. Admission: $40 Hammond Castle Museum Member discounts apply!
Tickets are selling fast and the event is expected to sell out, reserve your seats now so you don’t miss out!
Cape Ann Community 