The Whalehead Club in Corolla, N.C.

The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla, N.C. is a historic place to visit while enjoying a vacation on the Outer Banks. The Whalehead Club is located by the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in the northern Outer Banks. Tours and special events take place during the year. The picnic tables, Currituck Sound, Live Oak trees, and beautiful lawns provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the nature ad the beauty of the Outer Banks.
The Whalehead Club was the home of Edward Collings Knight, Jr. and Mary Louise Lebel Bonat Knight. The home was constructed between 1922 and 1925, and it is 21,000 square feet. The Whalehead Club consists of Art Nouveau architecture; this style was popular during the time in which it was built. Nature is part of this architecture. The Knights decided to call the property Corolla Island. Since it was constructed, the Whalehead Club has had many different owners. Currituck County purchased the Whalehead Club in 1992. By 1994, Currituck County owned a total of 39 acres. Significant restoration started in 1999, and by 2002, the property was restored to its 1920s appearance. The Whalehead Club is in the National Register of Historic Places.
Audio tours, self-guided tours, guided tours, group tours, children’s tours, and school tours of the Whalehead Club are available. Tours provide information on topics such as the Whalehead Club’s history, architecture, and historical information about the Outer Banks. The tours are available throughout the year. The times, charges for admission, and the prices for groups vary based on the tour. Visit http://www.whaleheadclub.org/tours/ for more information.
Special events are held throughout the year at the Whalehead Club.
• On May 26, the Outer Banks Music Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Performers are the Band of Oz, The Tams, The Crowd, and Steve Owens and Summertime. Tickets are available for purchase online.
• From May 29 to Oct. 9, the Whalehead Wednesday Wine Festivals will be held. The festivals will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Local, national, and international wines will be presented. Local talent is present. Local food will be available for purchase, and kite activities for children are available.
• The 12th Annual “Under the Oaks” Arts Festival will be held from June 19 to 20. On June 19, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on June 20, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual outdoor art show consists of more than 100 artists. Media, entertainment, local food, an art auction, and activities for children are included in the event.
• The 21st Annual Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks will start at 5 p.m. on July 4. Food, activities, and music are included. The fireworks will start at dusk.
• From July 9 to Aug. 27, the Summer Concert Series will be held every Tuesday. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Talented local performers will be singing during the series.
The park provides many opportunities to enjoy the nature in Corolla. You can walk or ride a bicycle near the water. Fly kites on the beautiful waterfront lawns. You can watch the sun set over the Currituck Sound. Have a picnic by the picnic tables or on the lawns. Classes are available at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is located close by, and you can climb the lighthouse. Learn about the history of Corolla and the Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park while enjoying the beauty of the Outer Banks.
For more information on the Whalehead Club’s events and activities, visit http://www.whaleheadclub.org/.