Historic Corolla Park, in the Outer Banks consistently delivers excellent memories, for those that discover and uncover all it has to offer.
Whalehead, in historic Corolla Park, is the dominant large 21,000 square foot home showboats and upstages all the beautiful Currituck Sound homes.
Here you will find a home to a history that unfolds once you open those inviting mahogany doors.
Tour Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park
While its prestigious exterior boasts a copper roof, bright yellow exterior paint, and expansive property that sits parallel to the Currituck sound shoreline, the interior offers in-depth history delivered in a simple-to-follow tour of the mansion.
My parents visited the historic home and immediately connected it with both of their pasts and some of the architectural engineering of today.
Since my parent’s visit (and this is the unusual part), they have continued to discuss the home, architecture, and the Art Nouveau style.
As world-travelers, not much captivates them, as they have seen so much, but Whalehead stunned!
You all know the apple does not fall far from the tree and I am sure my travel writing job was spurred on by my parents and all of my early travel adventures.
Outer Banks History Unfolds at Whalehead for Every Generation
While your mom and dad (you know your kid’s grandparents) or YOUR grandparents might come along to the Outer Banks in Currituck County for fun in the sun, they still need a bit of downtime.
If it rains, or you are visiting in the Fall, this is also the perfect way to spend an hour or 2 indoors enjoying the area you have come to love in a new way.
Your parents and grandparents alike will delight and parallel their pasts with WHALEHEAD in Historic Corolla Park, and their visit and thorough discussion afterward, may actually pique your interest to go and visit because of their enthusiasm here’s why.
From the Patio Rocking Chair at Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park
First, you’ll sit and listen to a bit of history and savor the rich view of the Currituck Sound and it’s a great thing to do on rainy or sunny days.
On the rocking chair porch, look down at the wood, savor the look and enjoy, you’ve just begun your stroll into millionaire’s lane styling.
The ladies that work there have in-depth knowledge and will MORE than answer your questions which brings the whole self-guided tour full circle.
Don’t be afraid to ask, they are marvelous at what they do and you’ll love to hear the ‘extra tidbits of info they have!’
Upon Entrance at Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park
The door opened and in they went, and immediately they began exchanging what they each ‘eye spied’ before the recorded overview even began.
My mother particularly honed in on the duck door handles, and the cork floors, which are well shown throughout the home.
My dad then noted, tongue and groove walls, trim, molding, and height ceilings, and that was just upon stepping foot inside,
The Whalehead In Historic Corolla Park in the Living Room
The Steinway piano captivated my mom as she loves to play piano, while the notion of not abiding by prohibition struck another memory.
While the story unfolds through walking throughout Whalehead you will soon strike upon a well-stocked wine cellar.
From the Top of the Elevator Shaft To The Bottom
Of course, I am a curiosity killed the cat kind of traveler and travel writer so I had to see the elevator from the top and the bottom.
So from the top, in the attic (which was a requested, scheduled extra and not part of the walking tour) I got to see the very first elevator that was ever in the Outer Banks.
It is hand-cranked, not used, but is amazing to see.
Now from the very bottom (you can see this via the basement it is part of the walking self-guided tour.
Amazing!
Mr. Knights Walk-in Closet – Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park
Throughout the entire home, you will note it is uncluttered, yet, filled with purposeful artifacts and cues and clues to the lives that were celebrated in this home.
Meticulously kept, and finished to match the photos, it’s a mystery solved, but does leave you asking for more in a fashion that you want to get to know the Knights!
As my dad was walking through he really was enthralled at the walk-in closet that was present as it is very much a part of today’s standards in homes.
The Kitchen. Outer Banks History Unfolds at Whalehead
Just when you thought only kitchen appliances could be pink, here’s the trend before any appliances in PINK came into fruition.
The kitchen color is Rose, and it was the favorite color of the cook as well it was her name.
While that is a bit of the history, the part parents and grandparents may recall is something close to my father’s memory,
His grandad (from Italy) painted the kitchen for his grandmother in Flamingo Pink, albeit not the same color, it did strike a memory.
In my mom’s memories, she recalled the stoves that closely resembled those of her grandmother’s and mom’s.
Plus my mom saw a grater that her mother had, allowing a quick memory into times gone by.
History unfolds at Whalehead and abounds with so many stories inside.
My parents got the ‘if these walls could talk’ sentiment and I too felt the same once touring.
Basement
In the basement, there is a generous display of vintage clothing, reminiscent of what is actually popular again today ranging from fur to sequins.
Do seek out the wine cellar and other oddities of history throughout the basement
A self-guided history lesson while in the Outer Banks
If you have ever watched the Original ‘ANNIE’ and if you remember Ms. Hannigan closing a window while getting into her tub in a drunken stagger, this might trigger a memory for you!
The construction of the home is solid, construction, with 18″ walls, and a non-working elevator, which is hand-cranked from the top floor.
In fact, that elevator was the FIRST in the Outer Banks.
To share the fact that it was ahead of its time, from the Cork floors to the copper roofs, is a true statement but truly underwhelming.
However, when you experience it, you truly become overwhelmed and understand the exuberance, logic, and build, creating a fabulous WOW factor walk-through option while on vacation.
Get ready because here, the true Outer Banks history unfolds at Whalehead, the place you and I now enjoy for vacation.
From guns to a safe that took 10 people to move in, all charted memories of a life gone by.
Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park, through Grandparents eyes
As you can tell, after visiting Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park, my parents shared that it is best defined as 21000 Sq Feet of WOW and fabulous history.
Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park overlooks the Currituck Sound and is the one OBX experience your parents and your kid’s grandparents will talk about long after they have toured.
Grandparents and parents need a bit of time to unwind and get off the beach and Whalehead right inside of Historic Corolla Park is right there.
The fact that we had passed this so many times on previous stays and NEVER ventured in, motivated me to share what we saw because I’d bet you’ve done the same!
It’s not a typical museum, rather, a story of what was, how it evolved and how things we have today, were already so prevalent in other parts of the world. ~ Enjoy. DANA XO
Transparency
My visit to Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park was hosted by Currituck County Travel & Tourism Department. All opinions and photos are my own. Thank you to Jill at Whalehead for her time as well!
Please note both Photography and Videography are NOT allowed within the WHALEHEAD.