Nick Groff is one of the most respected names in television and beyond when it comes to the paranormal. He has had incredible experiences in some of the most haunted locations in the world. As a friend to Arrow in the Head, we’ve shared some very exciting experiences with Nick including a couple of wild and spooky moments that we’ve managed to capture on camera. Thus, we’ve decided to work with the television host and producer extraordinaire so he can share his knowledge and insight on all things that go bump in the night. With this bi-monthly column, we plan to delve into everything from urban legends to ghostly apparitions, to his take on some of the coolest genre flicks ever. This is Nick Groff Investigates…!
THE WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE!
The story of Sarah Winchester is a fascinating one. Not surprisingly, it has become the stuff of legends. Coming from the Winchester legacy, the heiress found herself lost in a home that potentially housed voices from the beyond. Yet it's not just the ghostly visitors that make this home interesting. The way the house is designed is beautifully bizarre. You'll find stairs leading to nowhere and doorways that invite the visitor to have a very bad fall. Without going too much into the history of this San Jose, California home, there are a whole lot of intriguing stories that have been told time and time again.
In addition to having a unique story to tell, the Winchester Mystery House has also become a pop-culture sensation. It was the inspiration for the Disneyland attraction, The Haunted Mansion. And yes, you can tell this from the ghostly narrator that describes the architecture of the amusement park ride. As well, it was part of the science fiction novel, "Vanishing Point." It's been featured on a number of ghost hunting television shows and perhaps inspired a few ghost stories around the globe. And of course, there is the 2018 film based on the history of the home simply called WINCHESTER, directed by The Spierig Brothers. While the movie didn't quite resonate with me, I certainly enjoy seeing both Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke in a genre flick.
Recently, I was thinking about my own memories of the Winchester Mystery House, so much so that I had to ask Nick Groff about his experiences. And it couldn't have been a better time as Vidispace happens to have a series that premiered this week. Stepping into that wonderful place, I felt an intense connection. While I didn't get to do any creepy nighttime tour, nor did I get the chance to do a proper investigation, I did have a couple of moments that I believe to be quite strange. So I asked Nick about his time there. What did his visits to the house conjure up? What is it that makes this location so spectacular? Well, why don't we step inside the haunted secrets of The Winchester Mystery House And of course, please share your stories of the house in the comments below.
The Winchester Mystery House is one of the most iconic haunted locations in the world. Millions have toured the house and learned the history. I’ve had the opportunity to investigate the labyrinth of hallways and rooms for over a decade. I was born in San Jose, California, right around the corner from this iconic location not knowing I would later explore the mysteries revolving around the massive structure.
I believe a lot of the energy has been embedded into the walls at the house by curious guests visiting. A ton of emotions have been put into the building and have been analyzed to the point it’s gained more residual energy. This could be the cause of the hauntings. You can feel it and sometimes hear the sounds of a continuous loop playing out within the secret rooms and bizarre halls. Sarah Winchester’s room has that vibe at times, it's as if all the energy is releasing.
The location is always fun to visit and explore and I highly recommend it. The management team is great as are the guides that help run the location. The Winchester Mystery House will always be a part of my childhood growing up but also a place where people can take a step back in time. I had the opportunity to return in 2019 to film the Winchester Ghost Finders special. One of my favorite projects I've ever filmed! Spiritually entangled in the realm of the Winchester Mystery House was a great experience to be back and capture the investigation. Watch the Ghost Finders episode now here http://experience.vidi.space/videos/winchester-the-ghost-finders-special