Expanded Evening Access Offers More Opportunities to Explore Hammond Castle Museum!

~ Hammond Castle Museum

Responding to consumer feedback for increased accessibility, visitors can enjoy guided and self-guided tours during extended hours every Thursday night in July, August, and September, offering a unique opportunity to explore the Museum’s historic marvels in a more intimate setting. This initiative aims to cater to diverse schedules and preferences, providing enriched experiences for all guests interested in delving into the rich history and architectural beauty of the Hammond Castle Museum.

Self-Guided Tours: 6 – 8 pm.  Last entrance 7:15 pm.
Guided Tours: 6 & 7 pm

Adults: $20, Seniors: $15, Children ages 5 -12: $10, Little ones 4 and under are free with reservation.
Hammond Castle Museum Members enjoy complimentary admission to these evening Guided and Self-Guided Tours!

These specialty tours, held in dimmed light with visitors holding electric candles, explore the Museum’s occult history and the Spiritualist movement. Highlights include John Hays Hammond Jr.’s supernatural experiments with a Faraday Cage and Irene Fenton Hammond’s astrological writings. This 55-minute guided tour, set against the dramatic gothic-inspired architecture and nighttime ambiance, provides a unique, informative experience. Electronic candles are provided for optional use.

Candlelight & Spiritualism Tours are offered every Thursday evening:

  • July, August, and September at 8 pm.
  • October at 6, 7, 8 & 9 pm.

Admission: $25 Not recommended for children under 13. Member savings apply.

Schedule Your Visit Today!

Festival by the Sea

~ Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES MANCHESTER’S FESTIVAL-BY-THE-SEA ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 3RD

The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is excited to be presenting Manchester’s Festival-by-the-Sea, a Cape Ann Classic, in partnership with the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea. The festival will be held on Saturday, August 3rd from 10 AM to 4 PM in three Manchester-by-the-Sea town parks: Town Hall, Reed and Masconomo. Over 100 artisans, food vendors, and non-profits will be on hand, offering original artwork, handmade goods, tasty treats, and more. This family friendly event includes live outdoor entertainment, shopping and sidewalk sales by local retailers, restaurants, food trucks, a beer garden, and fun activities for kids, including Face Painting by Miss Wendy and “reptile fun” from the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team!
We are also very pleased to announce that there will be live music in three locations: the Masco Bandstand, Town Hall Park, and the lot at 7 Summer Street. The music in Masco Park is sponsored by Kelly Auto and a schedule and listing of performers (11 AM to 4 PM) will be posted on the day of the event. The music Stage at Town Hall is sponsored by The Cut (11 AM to 3 PM) with performers to be announced and the 7 Summer St. lot will feature John Jerome with other outdoor retail vendors from 12 – 2 PM.

A free shuttle service, sponsored by Beauport Ambulance, will run between the High School upper parking lot and downtown Manchester from 10 AM to 4 PM. Shuttle stops will be made at Masco Park, Town Hall Park, Reed Park, the Manchester Public Library and 7 Summer Street. The last pick-up of the day will be at 4 PM at Masco Park.

The Chamber wishes to acknowledge and thank the Manchester Board of Selectmen, the Manchester Fire & Police Departments and Manchester Parks & Recreation for their support and assistance in bringing this festival to life!

We also thank the many business sponsors and downtown merchants for their support in helping to make this year’s Festival-by-the-Sea possible. A listing of the sponsors is provided below:

Presenting Co-Sponsors: M&T Bank and Harbor’s Point Condo Association
Gold Sponsor: Applied Materials
Music Stage Sponsors: Kelly Auto (Masco Bandstand) & The Cut (Town Hall Park)
Shuttle Sponsor: Beauport Ambulance Service
Supporting Sponsors: Cape Ann Savings Bank, Manchester-Essex Rotary Club & Sullco, Inc.

Additional information may be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FestivalbytheSea.

DOWNLOAD MAP BROCHURE | SEE FULL LIST OF ARTISANS, NON-PROFITS, FOOD VENDORS

Contact Details: Michelle Pepin, Director of Events, 978-283-1601, michelle@capeannchamber.com

Special Opportunity: Gloucester Reads: Community Leader Dialogue at 1623 Studios – Limited space for Audience Members

~ Sawyer Free Library

On Monday, July 29 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, 1623 Studios will be hosting a taped facilitated dialogue among five community leaders as they discuss race equity in Gloucester inspired by the community-wide book club selection, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith.  

For those interested, there is space for a limited audience to observe the taping.  Please note that the audience will only be observing the discussion; they will not have the chance to participate or to appear as a part of the taped program.  Registration is required. Space is limited.

The panel, facilitated by Gloucester Racial Justice Co-Chair Michea McCaffrey and Dawn Pratson, of the Gloucester Reads team will include:

Jenny Benedict, Director, Sawyer Free Library
Bob Gillis, Tri-Chair, Gloucester 400+
Karen Ristuben, President, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
Ben Lummis, Superintendent of Schools
Peggy Hegarty-Stack, Director, Action, Inc.

Gloucester Reads 2024 is a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community. Co sponsored by the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, in collaboration with sixteen additional community partners, the summer reading initiative will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. For more details visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Ice cream Float Party at Sawyer Free!

~ Sawyer Free Library

I scream, you scream, we all scream for icecream!

Teens and tweens are invited to the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday, July 25 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm for a free ice cream float! Start with a vanilla ice cream base and choose from a variety of sodas to make your float.

No registration is required — pop by and bring a friend. Students 6th to 12th grade are welcome.

Be sure to check out all the fun and free programs for all ages happening at the Sawyer Free Library throughout the summer! Visit sawyerfreelibrary.org

Gloucester Reads: A Community-Wide Reading Initiative

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join the conversation and sign up for a discussion group!

DISCUSSION GROUP SCHEDULE: SIGN UP AND BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION

Sponsor/LocationDateTimeRegistration Link
Temple Ahavat AchimSun. July 2810am-12pmRegister
1623 StudiosMon. July 291-3pmRegister
Annisquam Village ChurchTues. July 304-6pmRegister
St. Paul Lutheran ChurchTues. July 307-9pmRegister
Manship Artist Residencies@ Lanesville Community CenterTues. August 67-9pmRegister
St. John’s Episcopal ChurchThurs. August 83-5pmRegister
Gloucester Writers CenterMon. August 126-8pmRegister
Gloucester UU ChurchThurs. August 225-7pmRegister

Together in partnership, the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, is presenting Gloucester Reads 2024, a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community.

In collaboration with sixteen additional community co-sponsors, Gloucester Reads 2024 will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. This initiative includes selections for adults, young adults and children. Adults can participate in three ways: reading the book, joining a structured discussion group, and attending the virtual author’s talk.

The summer book club’s main selection is How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. This acclaimed book, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, focuses on the history and present impact of slavery in the United States. Through eight sites, including New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, New York City, and Angola Prison, Smith uses archival research and interviews to offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has shaped our nation’s history and memory.

For more information or to sign up for a book discussion, visit, SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

To ensure everyone can participate, Gloucester Reads is offering to cover childcare expenses for those attending discussion groups, the author’s talk, or both. Participants can request funds on the discussion group registration form.

Culture Splash at the Sawyer Free Library – Thursday evenings

~ Sawyer Free Library

To celebrate Discover Gloucester’s Culture Splash, the Sawyer Free Library will be giving away goodies related to all things arts and culture, including a poetry 101 kit, paint your own birdhouse, DIY diamond art coasters, and more! Giveaways are for 18+ participants and are first come, first serve. Limited quantities.

Every Thursday starting July 11 through the end of August | 4-7pm | Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in Downtown Gloucester.

For more information visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or contact: lsvensson@sawyerfreelibrary.org

~ Hammond Castle Museum

Fairytales do come true at castles by the sea!

Join us for a magical morning of stories by the sea! Spread out on our ocean-facing lawn for an unforgettable experience that is perfect for little princes and princesses, this event combines the wonder of storytelling with the beauty of our castle grounds. We’ll have plenty of bubbles, snacks, and music too! We encourage little ones to dress up in their favorite crown, gown, or anything else that makes them happy!]

If you wish to tour the Museum after this program, ticket holders may purchase Self-Guided Tour tickets in the Museum Shop at a 20% discount. Little ones 4 and under enjoy FREE admission to guided and self-guided tours!

Tickets for this event are $10 for adults, Kids 8 and under are $5. Hammond Castle Museum Member savings apply. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today for a storybook adventure your child will treasure!

Reserve Your Tickets Here!

Garden Storytime with Backyard Growers at Sawyer Free Library’s Garden Bed

~ Sawyer Free Library

Backyard Growers brings a fun outdoor children’s gardening program to the Sawyer Free Library in a series of Thursday morning events at 10:00 am throughout the summer! Children will plan, plant, water, weed, maintain and harvest a garden at the library in July and August.

Children and their caregivers are invited to come learn about gardening as the community partners share books and stories while exploring the process of growing.

As a part of the Library’s summer reading program, “2024: Read, Renew, Repeat,” which focuses on conservation, the Sawyer Free Library encourages participants of all ages to discover the joy and power of reading while developing a sense of environmental consciousness.

The weekly event takes place at the Sawyer Free Library’s raised garden bed on the Middle Street side of the Saunders House (88 Middle Street.)

For questions, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

This summer program has been made possible with support from the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund.

~ Hammond Castle Museum

Immerse yourself in the beauty of  Hammond Castle Museum and hone your artistic skills with our upcoming sketch classes with Sue Wheeler of Arts Abound in Magnolia. All skill levels are welcome! This two-hour session includes a 30-minute beginner sketch lesson. All you need to bring is a sketchbook, pencils and an eraser. We encourage you to bring a folding chair and sunscreen as this program is outdoors.

Sue has a lifetime of making art through various mediums from delectable pastries to abstracts in pastels, watercolor, and acrylics. She enjoys using her creative flair in quilting and interior design as well. Sue has studied under numerous artists to learn watercolor, acrylic painting, cold wax & oil, and collage. Her goals for these sketch classes are to engage those who are new to the world of art and reinvigorate those who haven’t picked up a blank canvas or sketch pad in a long time. Sue’s philosophy on the creative process encourages you to be concerned less about the final product and instead to enjoy the journey of creativity and get lost in the moment. Once you find yourself in your work, you may just be surprised!

Attendees who wish to tour Hammond Castle Museum after this class are entitled to a 20% discount on a self-guided tour. Tour tickets may be purchased in the Museum Shop before 3:00 p.m. on the day of this class. Please note: watercolors, pastels, oils, and acrylics are not permitted on the Museum grounds.

Classes are $25 each.
Hammond Castle Museum Member savings apply.

Reserve your spot here!

Summer at Sawyer Free: Abra-kid-abra! Mike Bent’s Eco-Magic Show

~ Sawyer Free Library

As a part of its exciting summer reading program, Read, Renew, Repeat, the Sawyer Free Library is excited to be presenting Magician Mike Bent Eco-Magic Show on Friday, July 19 at 10:00 am.

Children and their families will be wowed by the environmental-themed magic show with magic, comedy and fun! The conservation focused summer reading theme of Read, Renew, Repeat strives to bring attention to our natural world, and caring for the environment as well as the living creatures that call it home. 

This event will be held in the City Hall auditorium, 9 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. No registration is needed.

This summer’s reading program, titled “2024: Read, Renew, Repeat,” offers a diverse and enriching experience for the entire community. By focusing on conservation, the Sawyer Free Library encourages participants of all ages to discover the joy and power of reading while developing a sense of environmental consciousness. Through engaging activities, interactive workshops, reading challenges, and more, participants will learn about the critical role of conservation in maintaining the health and vitality of our planet. For more information on Summer at Sawyer Free Library visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org.

This summer program has been made possible with support from the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund.