Whalehead In Historic Corolla
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No photos inside is disappointing the tour is self guided by IPad. It was informative and cheap but definitely a one and done. The kitchen, hunting room, bedrooms and bathrooms were beautiful and cool. The safe in the office was beautiful.
Whalehead Mansion is a restored 1920s, five story home. It is located in the Currituck Sound. The self guided 45 minute tour was $7. Whalehead has a very small parking lot so if you cannot find a spot you will need to park over near the Maritime Museum and Currituck Lighthouse. The tour isn't really self guided as you cannot go at your own pace or in the order you want. They have it setup to go a certain way and an Ipod in some of the rooms to tell you about the room. Upstairs had a piece of paper to tell you about the rooms. If the tour was self guided I would have expected to spend as much time as I wanted in each room, some rooms more and some less. The basement has a lot of information to read and I learned a lot. Photography is not allowed inside but they do have a small gift shop where you can buy some books and other merchandise to learn more about the property. I still highly recommend visiting Whalehead and hope to tour it again someday. Maybe it become truly self guided after the pandemic.
Can't express how disappointed my family of 7 were with the staff and ADA level of accommodations at this state-run museum. Upon arriving at the house, we were told there was no ramp that we could use for my mom who is in a wheelchair to gain access into the house. After some discussions, the staff member did say there were temporary ramps in the closet "somewhere" but we should try to lift up the wheelchair to bring my mom up the stairs. I asked another staff member about the ramps and was again told the there were no ramps available at the moment. A second family also asked for ADA accessibility for my mom to also be told there were some somewhere in a closet but to have two of the men lift her up. We found all 3 of the women working at the museum to be curt and downright rude. I suggest that until Whalehead understands that it is EVERYONE'S right regardless of a person's disability to access a museum in America (without family members having to lift them up the stairs), avoid this place and spend your entertainment dollars elsewhere.
Bottom Line: A very interesting museum house that showcases the history and culture of Currituck and 1920s America but interruptions distracted from the overall experience. I love the Whalehead Club, as the Corolla Island mansion is commonly known, and I am so grateful it has been restored to its former glory and is open to the public for tours. Not only has the 21,000 square foot home been beautifully restored but many of the original furnishing have been located and reclaimed for the home which is quite a feat. Although I have toured the home previously I was equally enthusiastic to tour it again. The tour is only $7 and it takes you through most of the house which is awesome but I found the format of the tour to be a bit clumsy. It is an audio tour so initially I was expecting the audio would be through a personal headset but instead when you enter a room you hit play on an iPod that amplifies the narrative through a speaker. The content of the narrative was great and I believe it was fairly recently recorded, perhaps last year, so it has relatable references like that to the popular TV show Dowton Abbey. But at times it was a tad difficult to hear the audio when docents were chatting amongst themselves in quiet voices or when the audio was playing in an adjacent room so for that reason I would have preferred a headset. But overall, the audio was very interesting, informative and thoughtfully done. When the audio recording was complete for each room we were quickly ushered to the next listening station which is one of my biggest disappointments. Sometimes I wanted to take a second look at a photo, admire the view out the window or imagine what life was like in the home but there was not much of a chance to immerse myself in the experience even though I think there was only one other couple in the home (I could see that on the surveillance monitor when we paid and I wondered to myself why it wasn't busier.) My other disappointment is that the enthusiastic staff often interjected like when I was admiring Tiffany lamps in the dining room or artifacts in the basement. It was kinda like going to the movies with someone who wants to commentate through the movie and although I know it came from a good place it was distracting. I saw other reviewers noting they felt rushed and micromanaged too. Anyway, the home tells a wonderful story about the Knights, their circa 1920s winter home and the waterfowl hunting culture of Currituck. I enjoy American history, architecture and the Outer Banks so I was in heaven touring the Arts Noveau mansion nestled between the sound and ocean. I really appreciate the details of the house like the duck bill doorknobs and the Pullman Car playing cards on display and that you get to see the majority of the home. I also enjoyed the exhibits in the basement. It was fun to see the roaring 1920s attire and learn about the home's history after the Knight's death. A short film related to the house would have been an added bonus. The home is a museum and for me one of the hallmarks of a good museum is to inspire additional learning which the Whalehead Club certainly does. I have since enjoyed several books and documentaries on historic Currituck and the Whalehead Club. This is a fabulous landmark that has been painstaking restored by the utmost dedicated individuals and I encourage everyone to support this amazing museum.
Decided to visit the area as a day trip. When I got to the entrance, I was told I had to pay for the tour versus an entrance fee. No issue paying the fee, but the tour was basically audio recordings in every room, Think that should have been a little clearer. The staff seemed to be pretty particular about me going through the sequence, which I didn't understand since each location had their own recording and I could have skipped the upstairs. While I appreciated the commentary, I like to move at my own pace versus feeling like I was being pushed through a line and out the door. If it was busy, I could understand keeping people on track, but it wasn't. Still a beautiful house and enjoyed the historical context in the basement.
Who believes in Ghosts? Well I'm not exactly sure so I will say nothing, okay I am not sure...ok, why not! Story has it that the 1920's house is haunted. What I can tell you for sure is that it is absolutely gorgeous & if ghosts are hanging out, they have good taste! The tour lasted about 2 hours & was most imformative. The guides were friendly & not stuffy at all. You actually got to be pretty hands on during the tour. The grounds are magnificent and so beautiful. It is my understanding that you can come & bring a picinic, what fun. There are also other times that they have parties, events, wine tastings... I would definitely return. What's a girl to do? I love antiques & preserved buildings.
Unexpected beauty & some of the most amazing sunsets. We usually have a walk around & then a picnic next to the sound near the house. Clean & uncrowded in September. Never climbed the lighthouse but maybe this year. Try Corolla bbq right in the park, excellent! You will not be disappointed! Wish they had a webcam so I could see the sunsets at home.
A couple of years ago my family and I visited Whalehead and did the tour. We all loved it, and found the history to be interesting. I did the wine tasting that Wednesday, and thought it was such a nice experience. There were four wineries, the lines went fairly quick, and the wine wasn't overly expensive to purchase. My experience this time was a little different, as there were only two wineries, and the lines were very slow. $15 seems like a lot to pay in comparison to my past experience, but I can say that the wine is tasty, the commemorative wine glass is cute, and all of the staff members are nice. There's a wonderful view of the Sound, and I really suggest going there close to sunset, as the sunset is the most beautiful I've ever seen.
We thought about touring this place, but we had our young son in tow, and the guide said a tour would be 45 minutes long. We had to pass. BUT- the place looks awesome. We walked around the grounds and saw lots of geese and ducks. The house has been totally fixed up and brought back to it's 1920's glory. There's even a ghost tour!
What a gem of a house and great history. We found this place on Tripadvisor and enjoyed every minute of our self guided tour. Our 10 year old son enjoyed working in his treasure hunt and getting a prize on the way out. This tour took us less than an hour from start to finish and was easy to follow. The actual house has so many neat features to it. The cork flooring throughout the home, the large and spacious servant's quarters, the period pieces throughout the home, the "corduroy" style walls, the high ceilings and wide staircases. It was unlike any home I have ever seen. The staff was so friendly and excellent. The grounds are just lovely.
What a beautifully restored piece of history! The docents are extremely knowledgeable and happy to chat! They honored the home with tons of little touches - down to same wall colors. They say it will take 45 mins we spent well over an hour! A definite must for the history buffs! read more
Such a beautiful building and museum with an interesting history, and in a beautiful location! Inside photos aren't allowed, unfortunately, but expect to see some sophisticated plumbing of 1920's, an elevator and some really narrow hallways. The territory is impressive too and the park that is now there is lovely. It's so great that places like that get preserved and shared. We truly enjoyed our experience! Definitely worth a visit! read more
2 years ago
Lovely grounds on a beautifully preserved historic home. The back view is stunning, and the on-site Museum has public bathrooms just across from the Currituck Lighthouse. Plenty of breathtaking views from various stations on the property and if it's closed you can simply Peak inside and see the gorgeous antiques. The Boathouse is also worth a look, you can certainly spend plenty of time just perusing the grounds and even sitting down for a lovely picnic. Highly recommend a visit open to the public and the grounds are free of charge. read more
1 year ago
No photos inside is disappointing the tour is self guided by IPad. It was informative and cheap but definitely a one and done. The kitchen, hunting room, bedrooms and bathrooms were beautiful and cool. The safe in the office was beautiful. read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
Whalehead Mansion is a restored 1920s, five story home. It is located in the Currituck Sound. The self guided 45 minute tour was $7. Whalehead has a very small parking lot so if you cannot find a spot you will need to park over near the Maritime Museum and Currituck Lighthouse. The tour isn't really self guided as you cannot go at your own pace or in the order you want. They have it setup to go a certain way and an Ipod in some of the rooms to tell you about the room. Upstairs had a piece of paper to tell you about the rooms. If the tour was self guided I would have expected to spend as much time as I wanted in each room, some rooms more and some less. The basement has a lot of information to read and I learned a lot. Photography is not allowed inside but they do have a small gift shop where you can buy some books and other merchandise to learn more about the property. I still highly recommend visiting Whalehead and hope to tour it again someday. Maybe it become truly self guided after the pandemic. read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
Can't express how disappointed my family of 7 were with the staff and ADA level of accommodations at this state-run museum. Upon arriving at the house, we were told there was no ramp that we could use for my mom who is in a wheelchair to gain access into the house. After some discussions, the staff member did say there were temporary ramps in the closet "somewhere" but we should try to lift up the wheelchair to bring my mom up the stairs. I asked another staff member about the ramps and was again told the there were no ramps available at the moment. A second family also asked for ADA accessibility for my mom to also be told there were some somewhere in a closet but to have two of the men lift her up. We found all 3 of the women working at the museum to be curt and downright rude. I suggest that until Whalehead understands that it is EVERYONE'S right regardless of a person's disability to access a museum in America (without family members having to lift them up the stairs), avoid this place and spend your entertainment dollars elsewhere. read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
Bottom Line: A very interesting museum house that showcases the history and culture of Currituck and 1920s America but interruptions distracted from the overall experience. I love the Whalehead Club, as the Corolla Island mansion is commonly known, and I am so grateful it has been restored to its former glory and is open to the public for tours. Not only has the 21,000 square foot home been beautifully restored but many of the original furnishing have been located and reclaimed for the home which is quite a feat. Although I have toured the home previously I was equally enthusiastic to tour it again. The tour is only $7 and it takes you through most of the house which is awesome but I found the format of the tour to be a bit clumsy. It is an audio tour so initially I was expecting the audio would be through a personal headset but instead when you enter a room you hit play on an iPod that amplifies the narrative through a speaker. The content of the narrative was great and I believe it was fairly recently recorded, perhaps last year, so it has relatable references like that to the popular TV show Dowton Abbey. But at times it was a tad difficult to hear the audio when docents were chatting amongst themselves in quiet voices or when the audio was playing in an adjacent room so for that reason I would have preferred a headset. But overall, the audio was very interesting, informative and thoughtfully done. When the audio recording was complete for each room we were quickly ushered to the next listening station which is one of my biggest disappointments. Sometimes I wanted to take a second look at a photo, admire the view out the window or imagine what life was like in the home but there was not much of a chance to immerse myself in the experience even though I think there was only one other couple in the home (I could see that on the surveillance monitor when we paid and I wondered to myself why it wasn't busier.) My other disappointment is that the enthusiastic staff often interjected like when I was admiring Tiffany lamps in the dining room or artifacts in the basement. It was kinda like going to the movies with someone who wants to commentate through the movie and although I know it came from a good place it was distracting. I saw other reviewers noting they felt rushed and micromanaged too. Anyway, the home tells a wonderful story about the Knights, their circa 1920s winter home and the waterfowl hunting culture of Currituck. I enjoy American history, architecture and the Outer Banks so I was in heaven touring the Arts Noveau mansion nestled between the sound and ocean. I really appreciate the details of the house like the duck bill doorknobs and the Pullman Car playing cards on display and that you get to see the majority of the home. I also enjoyed the exhibits in the basement. It was fun to see the roaring 1920s attire and learn about the home's history after the Knight's death. A short film related to the house would have been an added bonus. The home is a museum and for me one of the hallmarks of a good museum is to inspire additional learning which the Whalehead Club certainly does. I have since enjoyed several books and documentaries on historic Currituck and the Whalehead Club. This is a fabulous landmark that has been painstaking restored by the utmost dedicated individuals and I encourage everyone to support this amazing museum. read more
3 years ago
This place is beautiful... and stinky. Upon arrival you will find a beautiful yellow museum with a bunch of dead fish in the pond. The fish are huge but dead... This place reeks, I hope they fix the water. I would recommend coming here for the experience! read more
Decided to visit the area as a day trip. When I got to the entrance, I was told I had to pay for the tour versus an entrance fee. No issue paying the fee, but the tour was basically audio recordings in every room, Think that should have been a little clearer. The staff seemed to be pretty particular about me going through the sequence, which I didn't understand since each location had their own recording and I could have skipped the upstairs. While I appreciated the commentary, I like to move at my own pace versus feeling like I was being pushed through a line and out the door. If it was busy, I could understand keeping people on track, but it wasn't. Still a beautiful house and enjoyed the historical context in the basement. read more
Who believes in Ghosts? Well I'm not exactly sure so I will say nothing, okay I am not sure...ok, why not! Story has it that the 1920's house is haunted. What I can tell you for sure is that it is absolutely gorgeous & if ghosts are hanging out, they have good taste! The tour lasted about 2 hours & was most imformative. The guides were friendly & not stuffy at all. You actually got to be pretty hands on during the tour. The grounds are magnificent and so beautiful. It is my understanding that you can come & bring a picinic, what fun. There are also other times that they have parties, events, wine tastings... I would definitely return. What's a girl to do? I love antiques & preserved buildings. read more
7 years ago
Unexpected beauty & some of the most amazing sunsets. We usually have a walk around & then a picnic next to the sound near the house. Clean & uncrowded in September. Never climbed the lighthouse but maybe this year. Try Corolla bbq right in the park, excellent! You will not be disappointed! Wish they had a webcam so I could see the sunsets at home. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
9 years ago
A couple of years ago my family and I visited Whalehead and did the tour. We all loved it, and found the history to be interesting. I did the wine tasting that Wednesday, and thought it was such a nice experience. There were four wineries, the lines went fairly quick, and the wine wasn't overly expensive to purchase. My experience this time was a little different, as there were only two wineries, and the lines were very slow. $15 seems like a lot to pay in comparison to my past experience, but I can say that the wine is tasty, the commemorative wine glass is cute, and all of the staff members are nice. There's a wonderful view of the Sound, and I really suggest going there close to sunset, as the sunset is the most beautiful I've ever seen. read more
We thought about touring this place, but we had our young son in tow, and the guide said a tour would be 45 minutes long. We had to pass. BUT- the place looks awesome. We walked around the grounds and saw lots of geese and ducks. The house has been totally fixed up and brought back to it's 1920's glory. There's even a ghost tour! read more
12 years ago
10 years ago
What a gem of a house and great history. We found this place on Tripadvisor and enjoyed every minute of our self guided tour. Our 10 year old son enjoyed working in his treasure hunt and getting a prize on the way out. This tour took us less than an hour from start to finish and was easy to follow. The actual house has so many neat features to it. The cork flooring throughout the home, the large and spacious servant's quarters, the period pieces throughout the home, the "corduroy" style walls, the high ceilings and wide staircases. It was unlike any home I have ever seen. The staff was so friendly and excellent. The grounds are just lovely. read more
A lovely place to walk around and explore on your own, as there are ponds, piers, and pagodas galore - but I don't recommend the Whalehead Winesday outing. It cost $15 per person to taste the wine of only 2 wineries. There were tons of people waiting for samples, because there was really nowhere else to go. Perhaps there were fewer vendors because it was the last WW of the season? If so, I think the rate should have been lowered to reflect that. Yes I got to keep the glass but I basically paid $15 for less than 1 glass of wine. Having said that, I did enjoy Sanctuary's wine, so I bought a bottle for what it cost me to enter the tasting area, and enjoyed it at home. Definitely do come and do a self-guided tour, though - it's quite beautiful! read more
13 years ago
11 years ago
Love this place! Great evening picnic spot! Will go back tomorrow to go up the lighthouse. read more
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