School spirits

Illustration by Rachel Follis

As the oldest university in the U.S., it’s no wonder that there are rumors about ancient spirits roaming the hallways, dormitories and common areas at William & Mary. Unexplained footsteps, strange noises and cryptic figures have been spotted in several campus locations throughout the years. Maybe the spirits are nostalgic over their alma mater or simply yearn to be among the living. Here are the top five campus locations where spirits have been seen on campus.

The Sound of Music: Phi Beta Kappa Hall

Students have claimed to hear organ music and the voice of a ghost named Lucinda. The spirit is said to be a student who died before she could appear in the lead role of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” at PBK.

Mystery footsteps: the Wren Building

Footsteps have been heard upstairs in the Wren Building. Some say that it’s the ghost of Sir Christopher Wren himself, while others claim they are the footsteps of Revolutionary War soldiers who died in the building when it was used as a war hospital.

Ghostly figures: the Sunken Garden

Once the home of the Indian School, the Brafferton has played host to its own odd noises. It’s said that students from the Indian School can be seen running through the Sunken Garden on foggy nights.

An unexplained presence: Tucker Hall

Two students claim to have had computer problems and segments added to a documentary they were editing in the Charles Center, while others have said that they’ve felt a ghostly presence on the third floor during late-night study sessions. These presences run the gamut from a displeased student to a Williamsburg resident from the Colonial Era.

Captured spirits: President's House

It is said that ghosts of Confederate soldiers captured during the Civil War occupy the President’s House.

Some of this material first appeared in the fall 2013 edition of the W&M Alumni Magazine .