I have always been fascinated by the Winchester House — but never heard this perfectly logical explanation for it. https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/mystery-house/ — @johannadc
Historian Mary Jo Ignoffo…believes that what drove Sarah Winchester to build was her desire to be an architect.
Sarah Winchester lived at a time when it was highly unusual for women to be architects. She wasn’t licensed, so her own home was the perfect place—and the only place—where she could practice architecture.
Whatever her motivations were, Sarah Winchester built a house with more than 150 rooms, 2000 doors, 47 fireplaces, 40 bedrooms, 40 staircases, 17 chimneys, 13 bathrooms, six kitchens, three elevators, two basements, and one shower. She spent nearly all of her life being an architect.
@johannadc Interesting idea! I’ve toured it a few times – it IS fascinating – but of course they play up the sensational take on it.