Daily Guided & Self-Guided Tour of Hammond Castle Museum

Step inside the breathtaking home of one of the most prolific inventors of the 20th century, John Hays Hammond, Jr. Hammond Castle Museum is a dynamic STEAM museum,*blending its historical significance as both **a historic house museum and a lapidarium.

Inside, you’ll not only discover ancient, medieval, and Renaissance architectural elements and artifacts—including stone archways, sarcophagi, grave markers, and an extraordinary collection of stone and marble works—but you’ll also find a vibrant museum offering fresh educational and cultural arts programming. Visitors can explore items from the archival collection that have not been publicly seen in generations, along with newly curated content and the most up-to-date information on the provenance of many pieces in our collection.

New this season, the Museum features four temporary exhibits that explore John Hays Hammond Jr. as both an individual and a scientific innovator. In the Natalie Hays Hammond Temporary Exhibit Room, Curatorial Director John Leysath presents Spinning Platters with Hammond: Inside the World of Vinyl Records, on display from April 29th through August 31st.

Beginning September 10th and running through the end of the 2025 season on January 4th, Leysath will showcase” Hammond in Italy: The Love Affair Between the Hammonds & Italian Culture.”Additionally, the Inventions Exhibit Room will highlight Hammond’s groundbreaking Videotape Technology during the spring and summer months, followed by Hammond’s ahead-of-their-time Advertising Signs in the fall and early winter. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a repeated Reader’s Choice Best of North Shore winner by Northshore Magazine and a Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice award recipient for the last three consecutive years,** you can trust that your visit will be an unforgettable experience.

New This Season: New Daily Hours and Flexible Arrival Times for Self-Guided Tours Open daily from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, with the last entrance at 2:45 pm. The Museum, Museum Shop, and grounds close at 3:30 pm.

Experience Hammond Castle Museum at your own pace with our new flexible arrival times for self-guided tours. Your ticket grants you entry anytime within designated periods, ensuring you can arrive stress-free and enjoy your visit to the fullest.

Morning Session: 9:00 am – 11:45 am / Afternoon Session: 11:45 am – 2:30 pm Self-guided tours allow you to explore at your own pace. We recommend planning for at least 60 minutes to experience the Museum’s fascinating galleries, grounds, and temporary exhibits. **Accessibility Note: Please be aware that at nearly a century old, the Hammond Castle Museum is not handicapped accessible due to many difficult and winding stairs on the campus and within the Museum