No buts about it—Dr. John Hays Hammond Jr. was a singular individual. An energetic psychologist who produced the patents for over 400 inventions (including the remote control and the stereo), Hammond was also a voracious collector of all things Roman, medieval, and Renaissance.
In 1926, Hammond decided the perfect venue for displaying his treasures was a castle of his own, and over the next three years set about building an authentic medieval edifice on the shores of Gloucester harbor as a present for his wife, Irene.
The two opened Hammond Castle (80 Hesperus Ave., Gloucester, 978/283-2080, www.hammondcastle.org [1], 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat.–Sun., $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children 4–12, free children under 4) as a museum in 1930, since which time it has left visitors agog at the rich collection of antiques.
Highlights include the Gothic bedroom, Renaissance dining room, and the largest pipe organ in a private residence, a behemoth with 183 pipes. Every year at Halloween, ghosts and ghouls fill the halls for a scary hauntfest.
Links:
[1] http://www.hammondcastle.org