Step off the beach and step back in time

Set on 39 pristine acres along the Currituck Sound in Historic Corolla Park, Whalehead is a beautifully restored 1920s-era Art Nouveau-style mansion-turned-museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

With its bold yellow paint, copper roof, and mahogany doors, Whalehead invites you to explore a fascinating period in Outer Banks history. In 1992 nearly every inch of the home has been carefully restored to its original glory—the way it looked when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, first opened the doors as a lavish hunting retreat in 1925. The wealthy Knights spent their winters here hunting, relaxing and entertaining. Today, stepping inside is to step back into another time and place. 

Click here to read more about Whalehead’s history and mysteries.

The Knights come to Corolla

The Knights shared a passion for hunting waterfowl. But in those days, Mrs. Knight wasn’t welcomed in the all-male hunt clubs. Mr. Knight’s answer was to build a 21,000-square-foot “mansion by the sea” just for his bride.

Click to read more about the Knights and their mansion retreat.

Is Whalehead haunted?

These walls can talk … or at least some who have visited say they do. Over the years, some say they smelled cigar smoke in a smoke-free room, heard the wails of a little girl who wasn’t there and watched the elevator head to the basement all by itself. Is Whalehead haunted? You’ll have to decide for yourself. There are even special ghost tours. Click the link below to learn more.

Click here to read more about the paranormal mysteries of Whalehead.

Special events for the ages

Whalehead in Historic Corolla is an ideal location for wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, family reunions, anniversaries, corporate gatherings, birthday and other celebrations! Getting married or have another celebration planned?  Whalehead is the perfect venue.

 Click here to plan your event.

Seasonal Events at Whalehead // Schedule

Tours and Pricing

Whalehead in Historic Corolla is open for tours from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Prices and tour options vary. Come uncover the mystery of a by-gone era on the Outer Banks, when waterfowl outnumbered the people, and a once flourishing family built a mansion retreat for the ages.  Please note, there are no refunds on specialty guided tours.

Click here for tours and pricing information.

Operating Hours 

Upcoming Closings:  Whalehead will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28th and Friday, Nov. 29th; December 24th, 25th and 26th.  Whalehead will also be closed from January 1, 2025 to February 14, 2025  Whalehead will be closed for maintenance, new exhibit work and for program planning, etc.  For questions about hours or tour information, please call 252-453-9040.

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