Does anyone know how I could become a caretaker of the Whaley House? Or anyone have tips on becoming a part of a Paranormal Research Team? I was also considering a degree in Parapsychology, but I'm not sure how beneficial it would be.
Bonnie,
I have quite a few pictures of Orbs always around myself, Fiancee, step-son, and baby in multiple locations. Some are HUGE (about a 3 foot ratio) and some are small and very bright. I feel like there are at least 3 energies trying to contact me. Can I compile some of the pictures and e-mail them to you? Could it be possible that my human energy is producing the orbs? Thanks in advance for your input.
By all means send the pictures along to info@sdparanormal.com
As far as being a caretaker...That is a big task that requires a proposal and approval of the County Board of Supervisors.
If you want to volunteer there as a docent that is much easier. You can apply at the Whaley House. Beware it is a very political environment and you will be strickly controlled on what you say and do. For instance you will no longer be able to post on any message board that relates to the Whaley House. They have what they call a "control the message" policy which means they will control what you say about the house. Anything contraversial in nature you will be forbidden to speak about publicly. Just be aware.
Thanks for the post, Bonnie Vent San Diego Paranormal Research Project www.sdparanormal.com
I am very much welcome by the Whaley Family to their home and am currently trying to help Thomas Whaley with some unfinished business. Being the caretaker is a very large job that I do not have time to take on. I do not go to the house much anymore. I gather the docents have been instructed not to talk with me, so they get very uncomfortable when I am there. I guess I am a message that they cannot control so they do there best to control what I am told by the people who work there. I have no explaination for this behavior but there it is. I do not need to be at the house to speak with Thomas Whaley so it does not hinder my work.
The changes to the house is a very long story. The house changed hands in 2000 and there was a very ugly lawsuit between the former caretakers and the County. The result of the lawsuit was that Whaley property stayed with the house and the rest left with the former caretakers. This left the new caretakers scrambling for furnishings. They lost approximately 85% of the contents of the house. The kitchen furnishing were not Whaley property and left with the former caretakers. According to the new caretakers that area was a dining room and the kitchen was outside. I have asked Thomas Whaley about this and he agrees that there was a kitchen outside but that it was brought inside later and was a hard fought battle by Anna to get it inside. So it is a matter of what timeframe are they trying to represent.
The Theatre was in the house for a couple of weeks. Mr. Tanner died of a heart attack and is buried in El Campo Santo Cemetery.
The General Store was there for a couple of months and then moved down to the Plaza due to lack of business.
So the current representation is "sort of" accurate but I would say very misleading to the public.
I feel sad when I go there now. The house is really showing wear and tear from the additional traffic. The former caretakers warned the County about this but they went with new people that would make revenue their top priority. It would be nice if they put some of that money back into the maintenance of the house. The roof is leaking when it rains, the stair railing is very shaky and last time I was there I saw a very large hole in the front porch. They also received grant money last June for the outside kitchen and other improvements but there is no sign of that work being done either. The former caretakers saved the house originally and were dedicated to nothing but the house for 40 years. The new caretakers have this as one of many preservation projects. From the outsiders point of view the Whaley House does not seem to be a priority.
Thanks for the post! Bonnie Vent San Diego Paranormal Research Project www.sdparanormal.com
Last Edited by sdparanormal on Mar 21, 2006 11:10 AM
The last thing you want to do when applying for any position at the Whaley House is talk about 'hunting' ghosts. The operators are not interested in doing paranormal research. They capitalize on ghosts but do not engage in any sort of seances, etc. This type activity is forbidden. If you make it in, you will be carefully watched to ensure that you do not engage in this type activity. Every tom, dick and harry is trying to get in there for this purpose and SOHO personnel are well aware of this. Those who are there for reasons other than history will be weeded out and removed. Rapidly.
So the best way to get in is to be very excited about history, have little interest in ghosts, be willing to clean, put up with weird visitors, and restrictive politics. You will also be forced to wear period clothing. While that might seem romantic, consider this: If you are a woman, you will be required to wear an uncomfortable corset, hoopskirt, petticoats, no makeup, jewelry, proper unflattering hairstyle, no nail polish, etc.
The clothing makes it extremely difficult to maneuver up and down the stairs, through the hallway and especially in the bathroom. Hoop skirts and bathroom stalls don't mix. The house is not air conditioned and there are no fans allowed in the house. It is oppresively hot in the summer.
You will answer the same question over and over hundreds of times a day and with a smile. You must put up with freaks and there are thousands of them who are regulars. Get to know them. They will be your new best friends, whether you like it or not.
Oh, and everything Bonnie said is true but just a tad sugarcoated.
Remaining a visitor allows you to continue to enjoy the magic. Keep the cloak of mystery in place and you will always have a nice time there. Remove it and you might be disappointed.
