Sarah Pardee the daughter of Leonard and Sarah Pardee, grew up in New Haven Connecticut. She was a radiant child, loving and bright. On September 30, 1862 she got married to William Winchester, who was very wealthy. Sarah Gave birth to there first and only child Annie Winchester on July 15, 1867. Annie did not however live for very long, she passed away 6 months later. Not long after this devastating event William Winchester came down with Tuberculosis and passed away on March 7, 1881.
Following his death Sarah inherited $20 million dollars. Devastated by the loss of both her husband and her new born, Sarah became very depressed and grieved for months. When someone suggested she go to a medium. Sarah did what her friend asked of her and was told to sell her home in new haven and move. The medium also told her that there was a curse on her and her family and to move in to a new house and start building and never stop; if she stopped she would die.
Sarah did exactly what the medium said. After she found her a new home she moved in and hired lots of construction workers to help build on to it. The construction workers worked 24/7 for 38 years. The house was constantly being worked on and changed and remodeled. At one point several rooms were destroyed by an earthquake. That didn't stop Sarah from giving up; she kept building on to the house, repairing rooms, building stairs, windows, doors, and even tearing down portions of the house. Sarah was extremely superstitious. Rumors are she slept in a different bedroom every night. She also strongly believed in spirits and it is said that the spirits helped her make plans to build on to her home.
The houses design was definitely odd and almost random. Today the house stands at 7 feet tall and has 160 rooms, 10,000+ windows, 2,000 doors, 52 skylights, 47 fireplaces, 40 bedrooms, 40 staircases, 6 kitchens, 2 basements, 3 elevators, but only 1 shower. What is really odd about the Winchester house is that there are doors and windows that open up to walls, stairs and doors that lead nowhere and the floors have windows and doors in them. Every inch of Winchester is interesting, and randomly amazing. For years this maze-like mansion has been a tourist’s attraction, and is still very popular with the public.
Facts about the Winchester House:
1.) It took over 20,000 gallons of paint to paint the house.
2.) Most of the things in the Winchester house revolve around the number 13 (13 bathrooms,13 palm trees that line the driveway, a chandelier that has 13 light bulbs, some of the windows have 13 panes, sink drain has 13 holes)
3) Sarah slept in a different bedroom every night
4.) Front portion of the house was blocked off after an earthquake destroyed the room Sarah was sleeping in and she took it as a sign from the spirits.
5.) The house has a séance room.
6) The Winchester house is said to be haunted and some visitors have said to have seen some eerie sights.
7) Sarah died in her sleep and immediately after the construction stopped and it is said that the construction workers even left nails half nailed and left everything where
