The Winchester Mystery House is an architectural wonder and historic landmark in San Jose, CA that was once the personal residence of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester and heiress to a large portion of the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune.
Tragedy befell Sarah – her infant daughter died of a childhood illness and a few years later her husband was taken from her by tuberculosis. Shortly after her husband’s death, Sarah left their home in New Haven, CT and moved out west to San Jose, CA. There, she bought an eight-room farmhouse and began what could only be described as the world’s longest home renovation, stopping only when Sarah passed on September 5, 1922.
But what remained is indeed a mystery. Even before her passing, rumors of a “mystery house” being built by an eccentric and wealthy woman swirled. Was she instructed to build this home by a psychic? Was she haunted by the ghosts of those felled by the “Gun that Won the West”? Did construction truly never stop? What motivated a well-educated socialite to cut herself off from the rest of the world and focus almost solely on building the world’s most beautiful, yet bizarre mansion? Whether driven by grief, guilt, or something more unknowable, she continued expanding her home without a master plan. What she left behind was a sprawling labyrinth, full of mystery and legend.
But what remained is indeed a mystery. Even before her passing, rumors of a “mystery house” being built by an eccentric and wealthy woman swirled. Was she instructed to build this home by a psychic? Was she haunted by the ghosts of those felled by the “Gun that Won the West”? Did construction truly never stop? What motivated a well-educated socialite to cut herself off from the rest of the world and focus almost solely on building the world’s most beautiful, yet bizarre mansion? Whether driven by grief, guilt, or something more unknowable, she continued expanding her home without a master plan. What she left behind was a sprawling labyrinth, full of mystery and legend.
Important Notes:
Your certificate includes a guided mansion tour (for two) through 110 of the 160 rooms of Sarah Winchester’s stately mansion, known around the world as the Winchester Mystery House. Come see the bizarre attributes that give the mansion its name!
Tour Duration: 1 Hour. The mansion tour includes access to the Sarah Winchester Victorian Garden Tour.
Your certificate includes a guided mansion tour (for two) through 110 of the 160 rooms of Sarah Winchester’s stately mansion, known around the world as the Winchester Mystery House. Come see the bizarre attributes that give the mansion its name!
Tour Duration: 1 Hour. The mansion tour includes access to the Sarah Winchester Victorian Garden Tour.