Built on the sound of the Outer Banks, the cheerful, yellow Whalehead Club sits on the grounds of the Currituck Heritage Park. This once-popular social club was built in the late 1920’s by conservationist Edward C. Knight Jr. The stately, 21,000 square foot home was established as a meeting place for the wealthy northerners who made the coast of North Carolina their summer residence.
Restoration of the Whalehead Club began in 1992 and the doors reopened ten years later. Today, guests have the opportunity to tour the gorgeous interior which was returned to its opulent beauty. Our family happened upon the club while spending the afternoon on the grounds visiting the Currituck Beach Lighthouse nearby.
During our visit, we attended an evening of wine tasting and live music. Strolling through the pristine landscape where socialites spent their winters, I met Robert from New York. He mentioned that the place was haunted, which left me more interested. He suggested that I attend the special ghost tour to learn more about haunted stories of the property which are both supernatural and a bit edgy. According to my new friend, people have documented the smelled cigar smoke and the screaming of a little girl while visiting The Club. I may have to look into it for myself.
For more information about the Whalehead Club, contact them by phone at 252 453 9040. The property is available for weddings and special events. Columbus Day weekend is the date of the Corolla’s Wild Horses benefit.
The Whalehead in Historic Corolla is open Monday through Saturday for tours from 10:00 am-4:00 pm and, Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. It is recommended to visit during Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
What to See and What to Do:
Whalehead Club
1101 Corolla Village Road
Corolla, NC 27927
Telephone: 252 453 9040
Where to Stay:
Inn at Corolla Light
9606, 1066 Ocean Trail
Corolla, NC 27927
Telephone: 252 453 3340
Where to Eat:
Uncle Ike’s Sandbar and Grill
1159 Austin Street
Corolla, NC 27927
Telephone: 252 597 1606
The Fire Cracker Shrimp was crispy shrimp tossed in a homemade sweet heat sauce & served with ranch for dipping. It was the perfect balance of sweet and heat. I continued my craving for heat by ordering the Wings with Hot Garlic sauce.
What to Eat:
- Crab Benedict at Sam and Ornies on Nag’s Head
- Frogmore Stew Steamer Bucket from Armstrong’s Seafood in Nag’s Head
- Donuts at Duck Donuts
- Carolina Barbecue at Pigman’s BBQ on Nag’s Head
What to Read:
- Hatteras Blue, by David Poyer
- Early from the Dance, by David Payne
- Surf Men by C.T. Marshall
- Murder at Hatteras by Joe C. Ellis
- Return to the Outer Banks by Diann Ducharme
Photo Guide for the Outer Banks
- Pea Island Wildlife Refuge for capturing local birds
- Jennette’s Pier to photograph local fishermen and beautiful sunrises
- Ocracoke Horses
- Triangle Shipwreck at Kill Devils Hill
- Shipwreck artifacts at Seagreen Gallery
- The Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Cape Hatteras
- Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo