News Release: 9/16/2025

Unlocking the Secrets of a Nearly Century-Old Collection for a Global Audience

Gloucester, MA, September 3, 2025:  Hammond Castle Museum is proud to announce, for the first time in its nearly century-long history, its unique collection is now publicly available online. Under the leadership of Director of Collections Beth Welin, this launch represents a milestone in a multi-year digitization project designed to bring the nearly century-old Museum into the modern era. 

“Bringing our collection online and sharing these historic recordings allows people from around the world to experience Hammond Castle Museum and engage with its extraordinary history and artistry. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the Museum’s mission to make its rich cultural and historical resources more accessible to the public,” said Executive Director Linda Harvey.

The database showcases over 2,500 items in the Museum’s diverse collection, which includes: artwork, books and magazines, Roman antiquities, stained glass, and countless other historical and personal artifacts gathered by Hammond over his lifetime. Visitors are encouraged to explore Our Collection | Hammond Castle with a plan for more to be added as the Museum continues to digitize its inventory and archival catalogue.

Welin has been diligently working to digitize long-unidentified audio recordings for the purposes of identification and preservation. With the invaluable support of restoration consultant John Roper, the team has concentrated on identifying the original pipe organ recordings made in the Great Hall during Hammond’s lifetime. These recordings not only showcase the artistry and innovation of Hammond’s world but are also now safely preserved and accessible on the Digital Commonwealth, a statewide initiative that provides access to digital resources from libraries, archives, and museums across Massachusetts. Those interested in listening to any of the recordings may access them through the Museum’s website: The Sounds of Hammond | Hammond Castle.

In addition, the Museum has released Dupré at Hammond Castle, an album featuring the original 1948 live recording of a concert by renowned organist and composer Marcel Dupré, captured in the Great Hall. The album includes works composed by Dupré as well as an improvisation on a theme submitted by T. Tertius Noble and is available on most major streaming platforms, including Spotify and iHeartRadio. 

The Museum would like to acknowledge and thank the following organizations for their support of the digitization of many of Hammond’s in-house recordings, making them more accessible to the public: the Essex National Heritage Area for their partnership grant, the Council of Library and Information Resources for the Recordings at Risk grant, and the Northeast Document Conservation Center for their digitizing process support. While most items in the collection are now accessible online, archival materials, including Hammond’s scientific papers, personal letters, and records, are available by request through the Museum at: archives@hammondcastle.org.  

About: Hammond Castle Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It 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 Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance artifacts, the third largest pipe organ in a private residence, and the only surviving mural by American Artist and Illustrator Eric Pape. As a STEAM organization, Hammond Castle Museum combines its historic significance as a house museum and lapidarium, highlighting works of stone and marble. Throughout the year, the Museum offers guided tours, educational programs, and a diverse array of cultural events. Hammond Castle Museum is also available for private event rentals.

Contact: Mary Goldberg 

Mary@hammondcastle.org 

917-715-5480