John Hays Hammond Jr. was a resourceful man. In childhood he visited the laboratory of Edison with his father, tycoon John Hays Hammond. The boy fell asleep Edison so many questions that a scientist took him under his wing, becoming inquisitive child mentor. This friendship lasted until the death of Edison.
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source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
Hammond could become a famous inventor under the leadership of such teachers as Edison. He worked on the remote control device using radio waves, earning himself the title «father of remote control», although, technically, that honor belongs to another scientist, Nikola Tesla.
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source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
Another passion of Hammond was traveling. During visits to Europe, he was filled with warm feelings for the history of the Old world. In a letter to a friend he wrote: «You can read the story, you can visit hundreds of museums, where the works of these masters, but nothing can convey their spirit, in addition to the visit to the house where they lived… the Expression of human ideals in the walls and Windows – it’s a truly amazing thing.»
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source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
Hammond stayed true to his ideas when creating your own home in New England by building a real medieval castle, which he called «Abbadia Mare». Stylized the estate is located on a steep hill overlooking the Atlantic ocean in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Stone walls conceal a dining room, decorated in the Renaissance style, round the library, war room, secret passages and even an indoor pool with a system of «climate control». In other words, the house was the expression of all that loved Hammond.
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source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
The castle is filled with many interesting exhibits. Garden room in the courtyard repeats several of the buildings seen by Hammond during his travels, and the carved arch was made from the lava of the volcano mount Vesuvius. The Museum also exhibited the skull presumably belonged to one of the sailors who sailed with Christopher Columbus. Perhaps the most impressive part of the house is a large hall with a huge organ and giant stained-glass window. The Museum put on display an incredible collection of Antiques Hammond and his inventions.
In the castle you can even meet with the owner face to face, however, is a little not so as you think Hammond was installed in the courtyard of their Nude statue.
Castle Hammond can be found at 80 Hesperus Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930. It is open for visits from 10:00 to 16:00. Visitors can walk around the grounds or take part in one of the tours offered.
source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
source: flickr.com/RachelC.Photography/CC
