Hammond Castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts, is described as haunted due to its eerie atmosphere, the history of its builder's interest in the occult, and numerous reports of paranormal activity. The castle and its grounds are reportedly haunted by its eccentric builder, his wife, and a former groundskeeper. John Hays Hammond Jr.: The inventor and builder is said to still haunt the castle he designed, sometimes disappearing into the secret passageways he created. He and his wife, Irene, regularly held seances and paranormal experiments in the Great Hall to contact spirits. Visitors have reported seeing the ghost of Hammond's wife, a restless and sad spirit who floats from room to room, seemingly searching for something in the afterlife. The ghost of a dedicated former groundskeeper is said to continue his work in the afterlife. Some accounts describe him meticulously tending to the grounds or polishing stonework, while others suggest he is responsible for mischievous activity, such as unexplained noises or moving objects. Visitors and paranormal investigators have described a variety of ghostly occurrences: Strange footsteps and disembodied voices, ghostly apparitions and figures captured in photographs and on film, objects moving on their own, including books flying off shelves and a chandelier swinging violently without cause, an unsettling, eerie, and spooky vibe that visitors often note the appearance of a phantom cat.