Hammond Castle Museum Happenings

For the first time in over a decade, Hammond Castle Museum will be open to celebrate with the #Gloucester community this holiday season! Their holiday programs include a craft fair with local and regional vendors, a performance by the Gloucester High School Theatre Program, musical performances including 2 nights of concerts with local singer and songwriter, Chelsea Berry, and their premier event: Santa Arrives at Hammond Castle.

Over the course of two days, they will host 140 children at the Museum for a free Christmas program featuring Santa, Mrs. Clause, Elves and special guest, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. During the Sunday, December 15th event, they will host 60 children and their parents from the Cape Ann YMCA and from Pathways for Children programs. At the Sunday, December 13th program they will welcome 80 children from the greater Gloucester community.

Each child will be given a new, wrapped gift from Santa, enjoy snacks, crafts and sing-alongs with Santa’s Elves, played by members of the Ice Queen Cosplay Princess Parties. The programs will conclude with Mayor Theken reading “Twas The Night Before Christmas.” These programs are generously sponsored in part by Cape Ann Savings Bank with contributions by Market Basket and Schylling Inc.

Other events include: Meet The Artist Night: Marion Rayner, December 2nd
Marion Rayner is an experienced watercolor artist who’s inspiration comes from the natural beauty that surrounds Cape Ann. She is particularly fond of the landscapes, seascapes and scenes around her home. The opening reception will be from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and Rayner’s show will be available in our Museum Shop through the month of December. Opening reception tickets are free and may be reserved at: https://www.hammondcastle.org/event/meetthenartistmarionrayner/

Deck The Halls December 7th to the 20th
The museum invited local community groups to sponsor a room, deck its halls and trim the tree. Guests can vote for their favorite rooms and a winner will be crowned at the end of the season. The museum will be open for self guided tours daily from Saturday, December 7th through Friday, December 20th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Last tickets will be sold at 2:30 pm. Ticket are: $15 Adults, $12 Seniors and $10 Children. *Please note exceptions: On December 14th - all tickets will be $20 as we will be hosting Myschyffe Managed which will perform renaissance madrigals and more throughout the day. THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15TH FOR A SPECIAL EVENT.

Holiday Craft Fair with Local Vendors, Saturday, December 7th
What better way to do all your holiday shopping than in a seaside castle offering local crafts? On December 7th, from 10 am to 2 pm, they will be hosting a craft fair in the Great Hall. On hand will be local artisans, sourced from local farmers markets and well-loved local businesses. Ticket are: $15 Adults, $12 Seniors and $10 Children. Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.hammondcastle.org/event/hammond-castle-museum-holiday-craft-fair/

Gloucester High School Theatre Program: A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Sunday, December 8th
The museum welcomes the Gloucester High School Theater Program’s holiday performance of “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” Based on the classic holiday movie with a clever twist thrown in, the story is staged as a live radio broadcast. Actors portray numerous characters, and sound effects are done through Foley tricks. There will also be a special presentation about Hammond's work on radio technology and his original radio patents will be available for the students to learn more about the invention process. Priced to accommodate families, student and child tickets are $5 and adult tickets are $10. Proceeds from this event will support both non-profits! https://www.hammondcastle.org/event/ghs-theatre-program-holiday-performance/

Posted by Bruce Tarr at 4:29 PM