Winchester Mystery House Centennial Speaker Series: 100 Years of History & Mystery

June’s Centennial Speaker Series focused on celebrating 100 years of history and mystery of the Winchester Mystery House. Accordingly, this centennial series featured house historian, Janan Boehme. I have had the pleasure of attending several history talks with Janan in the lead, and it is always an emphatically wonderful time. Also, I felt especially lucky as I was able to rope in my sister and Señor Scary to join me for the series this time.

Centennial Speaker Series Topic: 100 Years of History & Mystery

Firstly, this presentation kicked off with a brief review of Sarah’s time in the house. However, the bulk of the focus was on it opening to the public and the family who decided to tackle care for this breathtaking property.

John Brown was a creator of roller coaster parks and was most renowned for his backety-back railway. At this time, John met his future wife, Mayme in 1905 and married in 1907. Then, in 1916, the Browns moved to California and was just as enthralled by the mystery of Sarah Winchester and her home. When she passed and the home went up for sale, John wrote to family and friends for funding to turn La Llanada Villa into an amusement park. Nevertheless, plans changed into a park where guests could enjoy a stroll and picnic in its gardens. Mayme is the first tour guide for the house. The grand opening was held on June 30th, 1923.

The Roving Reporter’s Ernie Pyle wrote an article on the house, dubbing it “the mystery house”. In 1939, ACME Newspictures was commissioned to take photos of the house for further advertisements. The house continued to bring in the curious and the Browns kept the house running successfully through the 1940s. Sadly, John passed in 1945, with Mayme following him six years later in 1951. Still, the house was left to their two daughters, Mildred and Edna. Following their deaths, the girls continue their parents’ legacy as San Jose continues to grow around the house. Meanwhile, the Santa Clara-Los Gatos Road the house is located on is renamed to “Winchester Boulevard” in the 1960s and a wax museum is added to the property. The house becomes incorporated in order to preserve the home and gardens for future generations.

Construction Resumes After 50 Years

Although many milestones can be found from Winchester’s website timeline, the following events are covered in the presenation:

• Grounds tour is started in 1970s – It was only one tour; the house tour.
• Keith Kittle becomes the General Manager in 1973.
• New construction including a new gift shop begin in 1975.
• In 1976, the renovations are completed and the house is open for business.
• New courtyard is constructed in the 1980s and new bathrooms are build. A “Royal Flush” is held for the grand opening.
• Flashlight tours are introduced in the 1980s.
• “Behind the Scenes” tour is introduce in 1998.
• “Explore More” tour replaces it and opens in the 2000s.
• In 2022, “Walk with Spirits” tour opens.
• The North Dining Room begins restorations in 2019.
• The Greenhouse patio restorations are finished in 2022.
• On September 5th, 2022, the day is declared “Sarah Winchester” day and is commemorated with a plaque and cabinet card.
• In January 2023, the house hosts multiple events, including the centennial speaker series, to honor 100 years of history & mystery.

My Takeaway from the Centennial Speaker Series with Janan Boehme

I always find it enjoyable listening to Janan speak about the house. Stepping away from Sarah’s history to hear a little more about the house once she was gone was equally entertaining. The house has had a wild ride of these past 100 years and I genuinely look forward to more in the future. There is always something new to be discovered at this house of mystery.

Craving More from Janan Boehme?

Be sure to swing by the gift shop and check out the lovely little room up the stairs just to the left when you first enter. It is an in-depth exhibit of this presentation with all the fun details I cannot do justice to. Plus! It is complete with beautiful artifacts and memorabilia from over the years. In case I didn’t mentio it already, Janan is the house historian for the Winchester Mystery House. If there’s something on the property that is history-focused, it is almost certain that Janan had a hand in piecing it together.

What else can be discovered beyond the Centennial Speaker Series at Winchester Mystery House?

Below you will find other posts I’ve written regarding the Winchester Mystery House’s assorted experiences and educational programs. At Llanda Villa, there is always something new to learn! More often than not, I like to think myself one of the first in line to attend.