The Oriental Bedrooms

   

It is a well-known fact that Mrs. Winchester lived alone in her mansion, with frightened servants as her only companions, and no visitors ever passed through the ornate front doors of the Winchester House. While all of this makes for a good legend, it's also quite untrue.

The first time I toured the mansion, on my first day of work as Mystery House guide, I was surprised to learn just how many supporting players figured in to the story of Sarah Winchester and her weird house. One of these, her niece Marion Merriot, lived in the Oriental Bedrooms.

I find the idea of someone else being drawn into Mrs. Winchester's compulsive life fascinating. Marion worked as Mrs. Winchester's secretary and companion, her standing in the house would have been far above the servants and other employees. Did she use this station to influence her Aunt toward a more normal existence, or was she drawn into Mrs. Winchester's private world?

Unfortunately, not many resources are available to tell us about Marion. We know she married, and some additional tour information indicates that she was active in social causes for children. A family tree on display in the Carriage Entrance indicates she died in 1949 (I've been told in an automobile accident).

The Oriental Bedrooms, named for their decor, sit in the portion of the mansion that remained in use after the 1906 earthquake and are convenient to Mrs. Winchester's bedroom from that period, but also close to the quarters Mrs. Winchester used prior to the quake, and Marion's time on the estate may have straddled both periods.

Once you leave the Orientals, you'll pass through the South Conservatory and move on to the Linen Rooms. On your way out of the bedroom, take a look at the hallway on your left (known as he Sun Porch). The doors at the opposite end lead to the bedroom where Mrs. Winchester died.