Looking for something spooky while you are stuck home due to COVID-19? Well, Winchester Mystery House knows exactly what to do. They are offering free virtual tours of the estate now until April 7th. Their 41 minute tour will take you through the strange and spooky halls of this sprawling estate.
So, what exactly is the Winchester Mystery House? Located in San Jose, California this historic home was the personal residence of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester. As wife to the heir of the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune, she lost her infant daughter to illness. Only a few years later, her husband died of tuberculosis. After so much tragedy, Sarah packed up and moved to California now an heiress to the Winchester fortune. She purchased an eight-room farmhouse and began renovating and expanding upon it immediately. These renovations never stopped until she passed away on September 5, 1922. After 36 years, the house had grown to a massive mansion boasting 160 rooms spanning 24,000 square feet. Why all of this renovation though? Legend says that a psychic told Sarah she must keep renovating the home to keep away spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. If construction were to ever cease, the spirits would be able to take revenge on Sarah as heiress to Winchester Repeating Arms. Some people say the spirits walk the halls to this day.
If a virtual tour isn’t enough, you can purchase tickets to see the curious mansion in person. Currently, Winchester Mystery House is offering a specially-priced ticket voucher that can be used at any time in the future. This ticket has no blackout dates or restrictions. So, you can visit the house on a date that works for you without fear of COVID-19 closures ruining the party. Vouchers are $26 and valid through May 1, 2021. Head on over to the Winchester Mystery House site or Facebook page for more information and updates on the house.
