For those of you who have signed up for – and for those of you debating whether to join us on – my upcoming Independence Day weekend Victorian San Jose and San Francisco tour, I wanted to whet your appetite a little by focusing on one of our stops: The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.
For those of you who have not been to Winchester – and want it to remain a mystery until you get there – you’ll probably want to skip the rest of this column. But for those of you who get excited learning about a place before you visit it, read on!
Sarah Winchester kept construction going round-the-clock 365 days a year
I’ve been to this house three times, each time gleaning something different from the experience. From an architectural and design perspective, the house is a great example of Victorian homes, with quality construction and beautiful interiors.
But what really makes Winchester unique is the fascinating – and bizarre – story behind it. The mansion was built by Sarah Winchester – of the famous rifle fortune – and she believed that constant construction was the only way to assuage the spirits of those who had been killed by Winchester guns.
So, construction workers would be on the job 365 days a year, all day and all night. No sooner would a beautiful parquet floor be finished than she would order it to be ripped out. Corridors and staircases lead to nowhere.
The unusual Winchester Mystery House includes doors to nowhere
There’s a lot more to the story, and the tour of the house promises to give you delicious – and perhaps even chilling – details.
And don’t forget, Winchester is just one stop on what promises to be a delightful and unique tour. Other highlights include a private visit to Bradbury & Bradbury art wallpapers, special visit with PBS and HGTV design personality and author Paul Duchscherer, accommodations at the beautiful Adagio Hotel, a champagne cruise of San Francisco Bay, a visit to fine arts museums, brunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Sutro’s, and much more!
Please email me for more information or to register. But hurry, the tour is almost full!
Warmest regards,
Eleanor