Historic Corolla Park 4 On the Beach Whalehead in Historic Corolla Whalehead in Historic Corolla, the pale-yellow, fivefloored, 21,000-square-foot building that dominates one side of Historic Corolla Park, often makes visitors ask, “What is that?” The quick answer: The second home and luxe hunting enclave of owners Edward Collings Knight Jr., and wife, Marie Louise LeBel Bonat Knight, who lived here in the “Roaring Twenties.” The more profound: the link between then and now. Jill Landen, site manager of the property, has been chasing Whalehead’s history since 2004. She’s scoured documents, even hired private investigators, yet it’s unknown how Edward and Marie first met, how their courtship progressed, how their love for hunting evolved into buying this property, building the retreat, and making it a private playground locals called the “mansion by the sea.” “The Knights, their guests and servants lived a ‘Great Gatsby’ lifestyle,” Landen maintains. “How their vacation home came to be in what once was a very remote area in the 1920s is fascinating.” Dealing with historians, researchers and the occasional charlatan, Landen has reclaimed original furniture, hardware, lighting and building components and acquired period pieces to make Whalehead more like what it was during the Knights’ tenure from 1925- 1936. Tiffany light fixtures, the marble-topped sideboard that holds Mr. Knight’s cast-iron safe and a Steinway piano adorn the mansion. But the stories behind the history help guests see this as much more than a “house museum.” “As one of the most opulent examples of Art Nouveau in America, Whalehead,” says Landen, “is a must see. There’s nothing else like it on the Outer Banks. As visitors tour the building, hear about the restoration, and see exhibits and the accounts of days gone by, they come away with a real connection between then and now.” They also come away with an answer to the question: “What is that?” 1100 Club Rd. Corolla, NC 27927 252-453-9040 www.visitcurrituck.com Idyllic, homespun, wholesome — if there were a town square for the Currituck Outer Banks, Historic Corolla Park would be it. Perfect for a family picnic, a seasonal festival, or a fireworks display, this 39-acre soundfront property houses three distinct, captivating landmarks: the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Whalehead in Historic Corolla, and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. Outdoor activities such as fishing, crabbing and kayaking the Currituck Sound are regular occurrences in and around the park; bicycles and leashed pets are welcomed. 1100 Club Rd. Corolla, NC 27927 252-453-9040 www.visitcurrituck.com
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