Gloucester, Massachusetts - Hammond Castle Museum opened its 2026 season on April 3rd with Eric Pape: Fantasy Illustrations, a special exhibition featuring over 100 pen-and-ink works by American illustrator Eric Pape (1870–1938). Many of these pieces have not been publicly displayed in more than a century.

Drawn from the private collections of Bruce Haley, Dr. Gregory Conn, and Lynne Ponte, the exhibition highlights Pape’s contributions to beloved literary classics, including The Arabian Nights, Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales, Notre Dame de Paris, Rip Van Winkle, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The exhibition runs through April 26 and is included with admission.

As part of its commitment to community access, Hammond Castle Museum continues its weekly Gloucester Gratis Days, offering free admission to Gloucester residents every Tuesday.

The Museum reopens following its most successful season to date, welcoming nearly 100,000 visitors in 2025. Self-guided tours resumed April 3, with guided tours returning April 28.

Opportunities for Local Business Partnership

With the start of the new season, the Museum invites North Shore and Cape Ann businesses to partner in supporting arts, culture, and historic preservation while benefiting from the Museum’s growing regional reach.

Signature Event Sponsorships: Businesses can align with high-visibility events such as the North Shore’s own Renaissance Faire (November 7-8), Goblin King Ball, and Seaside Soirée- a new fundraising clambake event on July 17th. 

Series Sponsorships: Partnership opportunities are available for recurring programs, including Deck the Halls Holiday Series, Bubbles & Books Storytime, and Seasonal Candlelight Tours.

Advertising Opportunities: The Museum offers placements in its Seasonal Guidebook (10,000+ reach), Self-Guided Tour Pamphlet (60,000+ reach), and digital communications. These opportunities are on sale now, with a print deadline of June 15th. 

Community Access & Education: Businesses may also support the Museum’s free and reduced-cost access initiatives and partner on educational programming focused on igniting curiosity in history, science, and art.

A Call to Collaboration

“This season represents an extraordinary moment for Hammond Castle Museum,” said Linda Harvey, Executive Director. “The conservation of Eric Pape’s illustrations and the generosity of the collectors who entrusted them to us reflect the power of collaboration in preserving our cultural heritage. We look forward to partnering with local businesses to expand access, deepen community engagement, and ensure that the Museum continues to inspire visitors of all ages.”

“These partnerships directly support the preservation of Hammond Castle Museum and help us continue offering enriching cultural experiences to the community,” added Laura Chadwell, the Museum’s new Director of Development, who joined the organization in January. “We welcome collaborations with both small local businesses and regional organizations and are happy to tailor sponsorship packages to meet shared goals.”

For more information about sponsorship or advertising opportunities, please visit hammondcastle.org/sponsors; or contact Laura Chadwell at lchadwell@hammondcastle.org or 978 283 2080. The season’s full 2026 events and specialty tour guide can be found at: https://bit.ly/HCM2026Events.

About Hammond Castle Museum

Hammond Castle Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and legacy of John Hays Hammond Jr., renowned as “The Father of Radio Control.” Built from 1926 to 1929 and incorporated as a museum in 1930, the castle served as Hammond’s residence and laboratory, showcasing his pioneering work in radio control and military technology, including guided torpedoes. The Museum features a collection of Hammond’s patents and the only surviving mural by American Artist and Illustrator, Eric Pape. As a STEAM-inspired organization, Hammond Castle Museum combines its historic significance as a house museum and lapidarium, highlighting works of stone and marble, with temporary exhibitions and educational and cultural events throughout the year. Hammond Castle Museum is also available for private event rentals. For more information, please contact Hammond Castle Museum at info@hammondcastle.org or visit www.hammondcastle.org.

Media Contact
Mary Goldberg
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
Hammond Castle Museum
Mary@hammondcastle.org
917-715-5480