The Vogel Victorian Hosts a Haunted Tea Party

You are cordially invited to attend a haunted tea party at The Vogel Victorian. Nestled within the historic district in downtown Santa Ana, CA, is a beautiful 19^th-century structure that’s 125 years old. The lady of the manor is Diana Vogel who lives on the property with her husband and children. She has opened her home to guests and created an intimate experience that gives people the opportunity to explore the grounds and learn about its intriguing history.

The Vogel Victorian simply cannot be missed. It sits on a corner, is painted in a brilliant shade of teal and is festively decorated for the fall season with pumpkins, skeletons and a carriage led by a skeletal horse. If I recall correctly, the host informed me that the carriage on the front lawn was not merely a prop and actually dates back to the 19^th century. Everyone gathered in the lush backyard where we were able to enjoy refreshments before our evening adventure began.

Madam Vogel was finely dressed in a black Victorian gown and wielded a jewel-encrusted ax. She greeted our small group and told us about some of the ghosts that have been active during these gatherings, especially one female that is drawn to the males in the party. Our tour commenced in the dark basement, which only had a red light glowing at the far end. Diana held a lantern and regaled us with stories of paranormal activity that had taken place in this lower level. She also had divination instruments with her so that we could make contact with any spirits present. These included a dowsing rod and a piece of ghost hunting equipment that lit up if there was an entity near the person holding it. We passed around the latter apparatus and there was one individual in our group that it lit up like crazy for.

As she held the dowsing rods in her hands, our host asked out loud if there were any apparitions that came with any of the guests. Without manipulating the tools, she let the rods move as they pleased. The rods did point to a couple of people, including myself! Apparently, some presence had joined me on this experience. Mrs. Vogel proceeded to ask it questions, such as if it was a family member or knew me in some way. When using dowsing rods, responses are interpreted by whether they crisscross, swing in opposite directions or move together. Although I can’t remember what each motion signified, it answered “no” when asked if it was family. I assume the ghost also hitched a ride with me back home.

From there, we ascended and headed into her home. We entered an elegant space that I’m assuming could be considered a keeping room of sorts. It was filled with pumpkin spice and cinnamon aromas and felt so cozy. We were treated to some more anecdotes, as well as a delicious apple beverage accompanied by avocado toast. Then, it was time to make our own blessing jars in the kitchen. I can’t capture in words how lovely the home décor looked, so I’ll let the photographs I took do the majority of the “talking.” Stunning artwork and portraits hung on the walls in the kitchen and it looked like a magical apothecary. It also still retained its rustic Victorian charm.

There were menus for everyone that listed all of the available herbs and spices, along with their significance. The point was to fill our jars with a blend that aligned with the energies we wanted to tap into and conjure. They included eupatorium for an aphrodisiac, hyssop for cleansing the soul and several others. Each person received a  small glass container to fill. I filled mine with albizia for purity, gentleness, and feminine energy; cinnamon for healing, spiritual awareness, and protection; and lotus embryo for spiritual illumination. I’m at a point in my life where I’m working on my spiritual growth, so this mix seemed fitting for me.  

After, we migrated to the entrance hall, which contained a lavish chandelier, a grand staircase and a stately Victorian mourning gown on display. She took us into the adjacent living room where she gave a brief presentation on Victorian mourning customs. One of my favorite pieces in this room was a tree decorated with black and silver ornaments and skulls.

Then, it was time to sit, eat, drink and be merry! The dining room was decked out in the utmost finery with dinnerware to match. To top it off, the hostess made the spread we enjoyed herself. The menu included all sorts of small sandwiches, scones, tomato basil soup and a fresh salad. For dessert, there were lady finger cookies, brownies and a pumpkin bread pudding. She offered many types of tea and they smelled so fresh and aromatic. My matcha was quite flavorful and soothing.

As we all imbibed in our tasty meal, Diana entertained us with more accounts. She is a wonderful storyteller. She also asked if anyone was commemorating a special occasion. My husband mentioned we were celebrating my birthday, and she was gracious enough to gift me a Ouija coffee mug. She also went around the room and asked each of us to share something we admired about the person we came with. It was a touching experience and it charged the atmosphere with so much love and affection. Toward the end of the evening, everyone in our group became comfortable and friendly with each other.

All I can say is two hours flew by and before we knew it, it was time to start winding down. However, Madame Vogel had one other part of the house to show for anyone who was interested in staying a little longer. I wasn’t going to miss out on this opportunity, so I did. She took us to a building at the back of the home that she and her husband have transformed into a speakeasy and his man cave. What a space it was. It was outfitted with everything one needs to lounge leisurely.

She shared that her husband is from Fiji and told us about some of the island’s traditions. He holds a rank of high esteem, and it was very interesting to hear about his family. He concocted a batch of cava for us, which we drank from authentic coconut shells. It was a special way to conclude the night.    

The Vogels were such gracious hosts and exuded warm, welcoming energy. The evening far exceeded my expectations. I love the Victorian era and this was a wonderful way to travel back in time and experience the period. And what a fantastic activity to do during my birthday weekend.

The Vogel Victorian will be hosting events for the holiday season where tales of Krampus and the macabre will be shared. Dates are already selling out, so if you want to be a part of the festivities, don’t hesitate to reserve your spot. Tickets were selling like crazy when I was booking this tour, and since she prefers to keep the gatherings small, spaces fill up quickly. You can find out the latest updates on social media, which I’ll include below.  

Where to Stalk

The Vogel Victorian