A whimsical and practical inventor, John Hammond (1888-1965) is credited with more than 800 patents on more than 400 inventions, mostly in the fields of radio control and naval weaponry.  Mentored by both Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, he was second ONLY to Edison in the number of patents achieved in his day.  He decided that his patents would be forgotten eventually, but his castle would not!  The castle is a melting pot of Renaissance, Medieval and Roman artifacts – he just bought what he liked.  Now it serves both as a museum and a spot for parties, weddings in particular.

Hammond was quite the practical joker. While he had no connection to the maker of the famous Hammond organ, he frequently received letters assuming he was one and the same.  He would dutifully write back, promising a free organ, which of course never came.