Gloucester Things to Do

This is a nice little tour of a castle in America. It was actually a home built by John Hays Hammond, Jr, an inventor.

As stated from the Hammond Castle Website:

"In 1926 he started the construction of his medieval castle home in Gloucester, MA, as a bridal present for his wife, Irene. They moved into the castle in 1929 and opened it as a museum in 1930. During this period Hammond worked with assistants on his many inventions in his new castle laboratory, including the synchronization of motion pictures, radio dynamic controls, television communications, the dynamic amplifier (today's stereo), and a cosmic ray detector. Hammond is credited with over 800 inventions and 437 patents."

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I was fortunate enough to enjoy a two-hour sunset cruise on the Thomas E. Lannon as my final assignment for a course through Northeastern University. Fly Amero, a local musician performed an acoustic on a perfect Gloucester Harbor evening. The Thomas E. Lannon offers several touring packages, including 2-hour tours, Sunset Music Cruises, Moonlight Sails, and Fireworks Cruises, to name but a few. Reservations are recommended, but can not be made more than 2 weeks before your desired cruise date (capacity is 49, 40 for their lobster bake cruises, and those spots fill up). A typical cruise will cost around $37.50 for adults, $33.50 for seniors and $25.00 for children (all children, even infants). The Lannon's season sails from mid-May to the end of October. Their website has a myriad of information regarding the boat, how it was built and helpful information as to what to wear and bring with you. I have now added a sunset cruise on the Thomas E. Lannon as a MUST DO activity for those visiting Gloucester. There may be no better way to spend a beautiful evening in America's Oldest Seaport.

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A newer addition to Stacy Boulevard, the Merchant Mariners Memorial sits next to the tennis courts and across from the World War II Memorial. This area is also the back gateway to Stage Fort Park. A simple, white anchor memorializes the dedication of the Merchant Marines with a plague that says "With Thanks From the People of Gloucester To Our Sons Who Served As Merchant Mariners 1941-1945".

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Gloucester's most recognizable symbol, the Fisherman's Memorial Statue, known to locals as "The Man at the Wheel" forever stands attentive to the ocean beyond. Situated in the heart of Stacy Boulevard the memorial depicts a fisherman trying to maintain control of his vessel while watching as the ocean unleashes it's fury in front of him. The Fisherman's knee is bent and the floor is slightly slanted below him, illustrating the angry ocean's wrath below his ship. A partial quote from the Bible, Psalm 106.23 "They that go down to the sea in ships..." reads below the Fisherman's feet. The dates on the statue read 1623-1923. In accordance to the statue's creator the memorial has recently been completed with the addition of the Honor Roll of all Gloucester's Fisherman who have been lost at sea since 1623 when the city was established. The Honor Roll also is viewable in Gloucester's City Hall. The names of more than 5,000 Fisherman are engraved in bronze for this memorial.
The Fisherman at the Wheel was created by English sculptor Leonard F. Craske (1882-1950) and was cast by the Gorham Company of Providence, Rhode Island in 1925. The Fisherman at the Wheel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

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Who doesn't love to drive along Atlantic Avenue to enjoy the ocean views? Most of this area is a rocky shoreline... but there are sections where you can find sandy beaches as well. We see joggers, walkers, bicylists, and artists painting the crashing waves here. Our company from Pennsylvania were mesmerized by the drama of the northeast ocean views. It was the first time Fran had been to the northeast. Our coastline can be very different from the Carolina coast, which he is more familiar with.

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This is the most popular image in Gloucester...known for its fishing industry over the years. The statue is part of a memorial to all the men who have lost their lives at sea. The Perfect Storm movie publicized the tough life these men lead. Gloucester has been a major supplier of our seafood for years...altho the industry is declining drastically as our waters are depleted.
We always visit this monument whenever we go up to Gloucester...it's a beautiful piece of work, and sentiment.
There are plaques along the wall of the waterfront sidewalk with information about the fishermen of Gloucester....and every man ever lost at sea is listed on the memorial by name.

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The Blyman Bridge or "Cut Bridge" as the locals call it is one of the two bridges that connect Gloucester to the main land (the other is the A. Piett Andrew Bridge on Rt. 128). The Cut Bridge crosses the Blyman Canal that connects the Annisquam River to Gloucester Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Although one of the many things that makes Gloucester special, this bridge becomes the bane of locals existence in the Summer months when the bridge is up quite often to allow large ships to pass through. I felt like a little kid again today when I heard the alarm that signals that the bridge is about to go up, and sat and watched the process with my daughter, just like I did when I was young.

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One of the more recent additions to Stacy Boulevard, this memorial features a woman with her children looking out from their Widow's Peak towards the sea hoping to see their loved one's vessel returning to the harbor. People who donated towards the creation of this memorial were allowed to have the stones surrounding the statue engraved with loved one's names. My maternal grandparents and their siblings names are here, as well as my paternal grandparents. A very touching memorial, you can feel the fear and hope that must be going through the woman's mind.