Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), which operates the historic Whaley House Museum in Old Town, has some "spirited" fun in store for visitors this Halloween season. With extended hours, period lighting and music, guided oil lamp tours, a tour of a historic local cemetery, and an exclusive after-hours ghost hunt, guests will be sure to "get their ghost on" at the Whaley House.
"The Whaley House is one of the most actively haunted mansions in the world today," says famed ghost hunter Hans Holzer, who has written more than 120 books on the subject. Its reputation has brought visitors from around the globe and inrecent years has lead to numerous televised ghost investigations by shows such as Most Haunted and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In 2005 Life Magazine declared it "the most haunted house in America." Spirits believed to inhabit the historic home include Thomas Whaley and his wife Anna, their daughter Violet, their great-granddaughter Marion, their fox terrier Dolly Varden, and of course "Yankee Jim" Robinson.
Robinson, a desperado convicted of attempted grand larceny, was hanged on the grounds where the Whaley House now stands in September of 1852, a few years before the building was constructed. Legend has it that his spirit never left the spot where the gallows stood and now roams the halls of the Whaley House.
The Whaley House was built by San Diego pioneer Thomas Whaley to house his growing family and his general mercantile store, and is believed to be the oldest two story brick building in Southern California. When completed in 1857, The San Diego Union called it the most elegant home in San Diego. The building served at various times as the county seat and courthouse, San Diego's first commercial theater, a granary, store, kindergarten and Sunday school, party venue and ballroom, polling place, and meeting place for both the City Council and County Board of Supervisors. Former California state senator James Mills has said that the Whaley House "has sheltered more history than any other building in the city."
Visit the Whaley House this Halloween for some hauntingly good fun!October 2010 Schedule of Events
(Except for special limited tours, no reservations are necessary)
Friday, October 15 & Thursday, October 21
Scaryoke at America's Most Haunted
7-10pm
Join entertainer Laura Jane in the Whaley House gardens for a night of Scaryoke fun. Whether your singing voice is haunting or just plain scary, sing your favorite Halloween song for a chance to win a prize. Costumes optional.
Hostess Laura Jane hosts karaoke weekly at the Harp in Ocean Beach and the Wit's End Pub & Café in Hillcrest. She has MC-ed local events such as the San Diego Pride Celebration, City Fest, and Hop in the 'Hood, is lead singer of The Tighten Ups as well as Vintage Vegas, and is also a stand-up comic.
Friday, October 22 & Saturday, October 23
Whaley House Ghost Hunting Tours
11:45pm-1:15am
Join the Whaley House Museum staff and the San Diego Ghost Hunters for an exclusive 90-minute paranormal investigation of "America's Most Haunted."
Attendance is limited to 20 each night, so advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. $50 per person
Monday, October 25 & Tuesday, October 26
Open 10am-10pm
Daytime Admission
$6 for adults; $5 for seniors (55+); $4 for children (3-12); 2 and under are free.
Evening Admission (5pm-Midnight)
$10 for adults; $5 for children (3-12); 2 and under are free.
Exclusive Oil Lamp Tours
10:30pm-11:30pm
Join us for a special hour-long, guided oil lamp tour of the haunted Whaley House, and learn about the history and the mystery of one of San Diego's most historic and most haunted attractions. Interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing are available with two weeks notice. Call (619) 297-7511 to make request.
Attendance is limited to 20 each night, so advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. $25 per person
Wednesday, October 27
Open 5pm-10pm
Admission
$10 for adults; $5 for children (3-12); 2 and under are free
Thursday, October 28 & Saturday, October 30
Open 10am-Midnight
Daytime Admission
$6 for adults; $5 for seniors (55+); $4 for children (3-12); 2 and under are free.
Evening Admission (5pm-Midnight)
$10 for adults; $5 for children (3-12); 2 and under are free.
Sunday, October 31
Open 10am-Midnight
Daytime Admission
$6 for adults; $5 for seniors (55+); $4 for children (3-12); 2 and under are free.
Halloween Nighttime Admission (5pm-Midnight)
Period music, historic lighting, & tales of paranormal encounters will raise your spirits.
$15 per person Details
PURCHASE TICKETS
On line HERE (On sale now)
In Person Whaley House Museum Shop
2476 San Diego Avenue in Historic Old Town San Diego
Call (619) 297-7511
