Hammond Castle Museum — Attraction in Gloucester

I would like to raise a concern regarding my recent experience at Hammond Castle, specifically related to an interaction with Deborah Nypaver, which I found troubling. While I can't definitively say that I was subjected to racial or ethnic discrimination, I do feel that I was treated differently compared to other, non-minority visitors. My fiancé and I had booked a photoshoot at the castle, which included wearing non-traditional American wedding attire. It was a very cold day, and we arrived early to prepare for the session. We were waiting for our photographer in a hallway, not even inside the museum, as we were still getting ready. At the time, I was in ethnic wedding attire but still needed to change my bottom into a skirt. Deborah Nypaver approached me and said, "It seems like you have a special occasion today." At no point did she introduce herself or explain her role, so I had no reason to know she was the manager. We had spoken with a manager when we booked the venue, and they were aware of our photoshoot. When I mentioned that we had a booked photoshoot for the day, Deborah Nypaver told me that I couldn't be inside the building yet because our scheduled time hadn’t started. I asked if I could use the bathroom to change into my skirt, but she told me I couldn't, because our time had not yet begun. As a result, I had to change outside in the cold, even though we had paid $350 for the photoshoot. What added to the frustration was that while I wasn’t allowed to use the bathroom, a group of students and families from Gloucester Public Schools—who, like us, hadn’t yet started their scheduled photoshoot, but non minority —were allowed access to bathrooms. This inconsistency left me wondering: why was I, a minority woman, treated differently than the other guests in the same situation? When the photographer arrived and we began adjusting the lighting, we understood there were other customers in the area, so we chose a location away from them to test the setup. However, Deborah Nypaver immediately approached us and said we couldn’t take pictures. We explained that we were only adjusting the lighting, but she didn’t listen. We quickly moved to another area, but she followed us, raised her voice, and said, "You cannot take pictures until your booked time. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" Her tone was harsh and disrespectful. I was shocked by how she spoke to me. I am not a child, a student, or a servant—I am a successful young professional, and I have never been treated with such condescension. I couldn’t help but wonder if her behavior was influenced by my skin color. Would she have spoken to a non-minority guest in the same way? Later, when we asked another employee for clarification, Deborah Nypaver was called over to the entrance. Even then, she didn’t introduce herself. My fiancé, frustrated by the way I had been treated, asked who she was. Deborah, still not identifying herself, simply reiterated that we couldn’t take photos where other guests were. But there were no other customers in the area when we were adjusting the lighting. What exactly was the issue? When we had initially booked the venue, we had requested a contract or some documentation outlining the rules, but none was provided. How were we supposed to know what was and wasn’t allowed without any clear guidelines or proper communication? Deborah Nypaver never took the time to explain the rules, and her behavior left us feeling both confused and disrespected. I share this experience not only to express my dissatisfaction but also in the hope that it will prompt a change in how Deborah Nypaver treats all visitors, regardless of race or ethnicity. Hammond Castle is an extraordinary place with international recognition, and it deserves to be a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. I hope Deborah Nypaver will take this feedback to heart and learn to treat all guests with the dignity and respect...

One of the worst experiences of my life. My mother got married here June of 2022 -- me and my sister travelled all the way from NC to see the wedding. Instead of being treated to a fun, welcoming time in an atmosphere museum, we were subjected to nothing but cruel remarks and treated like mutts. The entire wedding was run by some older woman with her henchmen of little teenagers. It was super hot, especially in the tight suit I was wearing, and at one point I asked for water and the older woman snapped at me, "Fine, but you're not allowed in the kitchen." I was in the middle of the giant chamber area nowhere near the kitchen and was left super confused by this comment. After the wedding ceremony, I was getting a Coca-Cola from the beverage stand and made some innocuous comment to another party guest about me confusing Pellegrino and some other drink and one of the employees said abrasively, "Yeah, you did." This wasn't intended to be friendly and keep in mind he wasn't even invited into the conversation. Then after the wedding, me and my sister asked if there was anything we could clean up, to which an employee replied, "Yeah, your mom." Hilarious! How is that appropriate at a wedding!? This experience was so revoltingly bad that I am now reviewing this awful place three-years-later -- we were friendly and cordial the entire time and the teenage employees had nothing but contempt for a pair of children who had traveled hundreds of miles to see their mother get married. I could maybe tolerate this behavior at a low-level frat party but not a wedding. I can forgive -- but trust me Hammond, I...

Outstanding museum grounds, horrific parking. My family and I visited on a Sunday in July, I didn't realize it would be so crowded, and the parking lot is so limited. There was mass chaos and confusion with only one way in and out, we were not in a hurry and soon saw an open space, my husband got out to guide me in, when suddenly a man in a beard reversed and sped into spot, almost hit my husband just to cut me off. I was so shocked! He ran inside yelling that he didn't care: "you just got here and I've been waiting." This could have easily been avoided if a staff member were guiding guests in the crowded lot. The tour guide made us forget all about the shaky start with her enthusiasm and knowledge of the home. The building is reminiscent of the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum with its own charm and beauty. There are so many special details from fireplace, organ to invention room - so much to see! It is definitely worth the price of admission. On the way out however, a security officer followed us from the garden, up the stairs and into car, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Lots of people were coming and going but we were picked out? I wish there had been security to control parking upon our arrival. This museum should limit the number of visitors if they can't control the lot. I loved the building, but I guess my husband, teen daughters and I looked threatening? Although we loved the tour and building, I'm not sure I would recommend other families come here, our coming and going...