What is the Mystery behind the Winchester House?
There are lots of strange houses in the world. But the Winchester House is one of the strangest. It is not only big. It is full of mystery. Some people say it is haunted. Others think it is full of sadness – deep sadness. Whatever the case, this house features a strange story.
Where is the Winchester House?
You will find the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. It appears to be just a big house. But once you are inside the house you will see how strange. It has 160 rooms. Some staircases lead to nowhere. Some doors open into walls. You may find windows on the floor. You may be entrapped in a hall of mirrors going around in circles.
Read more: The Mystery of the Tower of Babel
Who Built the House?
Sarah Winchester built this house. She was the wife of William Winchester. William Winchester had a very large gun company. That company made the Winchester rifle. The Winchester rifle became extremely famous in the 1800s. Unfortunately, it also caused many deaths. Sarah’s baby died at a young age. Later, her husband also died. All of this sadness absolutely made her sad and lonely. She also thought the spirits of the people who were killed by the rifle haunted her.
What came next?
Sarah consulted an occultist or a spiritual medium, who told her that angry spirits were following her. He said she would have to continue building a house forever. If she ever stopped building, the spirits would take her life. So she began building in 1886. She never stopped building. She added rooms and hallways every day. People worked non-stop day and night in her house. The building continued for 38 years.
Why is the house so strange?
Sarah did not follow a blueprint. She gave strange instructions. They built staircases to the ceiling. They added doors opening to fresh air and nothing beyond. Some rooms had no importance whatsoever. People believe she built the house in a confusing way to confuse spirits.
She thought spirits were watching her. So, she built it as a protection method to save herself and she would never live in an unfinished house. She thought if it was never finished, spirits would never be able to reach her.
The number 13
The number 13 appears everywhere in the house. One room has 13 windows. Some staircases have 13 steps. The chandeliers have 13 candles. There are even drains with 13 holes. Sarah seemed to fear that number. Or maybe she was just trying to use that number as some form of protection. We may never fully know the truth. However, visitors still find the number 13 everywhere.
Was Sarah Unstable?
Some people claim that Sarah had serious mental health issues. They stated that she could not cope with loss especially when she lived alone and in isolation. Some people believe she was too much of a believer in spirits. Others argue she was smart. She had too much money. She employed countless workers. Also, she even said she created part of the house herself!
Psychological Explanation of Sarah’s Behavior
From a psychological perspective, Sarah’s actions may suggest deep remorse and grief. She lost her family and thought spirits were attached to her. Grief can produce frightening thoughts. Grief can instill fear even when danger does not exist.
In addition, guilt can affect behavior. If Sarah felt guilt from the losses incurred as a result of her husband’s rifles, she may have felt accountable. She may have constructed the house to cope with her grief.
The Psychology Behind Fear of Ghosts
Many visitors report spatial fear while in the Winchester House. Some insist they hear whispers and some feel cold spots.
Psychologists state that the brain attempts to recognize danger when it is out of place. In new environments, the mind creates fear when the mind does not recognize the space. Darker lights, wood, and randomly shaped rooms can trigger these fears. Thus visitors may believe they are haunted too, when they likely do not feel anything.
Has Sarah been speaking to ghosts?
No one can say for sure. Some claim that Sarah used secret rooms to communicate with spirits. Some believe that Sarah had ghostly meetings at midnight. While, some believe that Sarah wore black in her sadness.
But we only know what workers reported. Sarah kept her head to herself. She did not keep a journal. She left no clear explanation for her behavior.
Is the House Haunted?
Many visitors believe the house is haunted. They have claimed to see shadows or hear voices. Some have claimed to feel watched. Even members of the staff have reported experiencing odd events.
However, in science, there is no evidence of ghosts. Science states that fear and old buildings can trick the mind into confusion. But ugly fiction continues.
The House Today
Today, the Winchester House is a tourist attraction. People come from around the world. They walk through odd rooms. They gain an understanding of how Sarah’s life played out. Also, they come to figure out the mystery. Tour guides tell spooky stories. Guests take photographs. Some guests come for fun, others for ghost hunting.
What still captivates us about the House
This house is not only about ghosts. It is also a representation of loss, guilt, and fear. The public sees Sarah not only as a rich woman but as a real person who suffered.
There is something in all of us, however, buried, that is touched by the mystery of the house. We all encounter fear. We all encounter loss. The Winchester House reminds us how powerful those feelings can be.
What are we to learn from it?
The house reminds us to listen to our pain. Sarah did not say much, but her house was speaking for her. It spoke of her sadness, her fear, and her determination to find peace. We learn that the mind is messy. It harbors very personal thoughts and fears that others may never understand. It is important to honor those feelings. Judging too quickly is not useful.
Is it all just a tale?
Maybe parts of the tale are true, and maybe some parts have been embellished or altered. Certainly, people like to tell stories regarding haunted locations, because they add intrigue. They are curious things. Whether or not certain parts of the story are true is irrelevant, we see that this was one woman, trying to work through her loss in a way that worked for her.
Conclusion
The Winchester House is more than just a mansion. It is a testament to pain, belief, and mystery. Sarah Winchester built it for reasons only she had answers to.
But today, it is on display for the world to witness. Regardless of whether you believe in ghosts, this house makes you reflect. It makes you feel. And lets us know that the human mind (like your house) is full of lost/unseen rooms.
