By Maya Patel
Our campus is filled with great opportunities, learning experiences, and a sense of community. However, the haunting stories spread throughout the years suggest that this campus is more than what it seems. From lecture halls to chapter houses, it seems like everywhere you go has a haunting tale.
The University of Maryland has had many unexplainable events. An entire tour was created for those interested in exploring the places where there is said to be “paranormal activity.” The tour can be taken online through a map, where spooky tales about each stop are given.
The Rossborough Inn is first on the tour and has the spookiest story of them all. The Inn was built in 1812, making it the oldest building on campus. Originally built to be a college, the Inn was sold and turned into a place to stay. Because of its excellent location, the Inn had many visitors and became a spot of uncanny events, according to the online tour.
During the Civil War era, the Inn was managed by their most famous ghost: Miss Bettie. Visitors have claimed to see her wandering around the Inn wearing a long yellow gown.
The Inn has also had other unexplainable occurrences. This includes flowers appearing out of nowhere, lights turning on and off, and doors mysteriously opening. There have also been sightings of a face appearing in mirrors and windows.
As we continue through the tour, Marie Mount Hall is next. Named after the former dean of the College of Home Economics, Marie Mount came to campus in 1919 and stayed until her death in 1957.
During her time at the University of Maryland, it is rumored that she stayed in the building, specifically in a room known as the dean’s apartment.
When visiting this building, the atmosphere itself was eerie, according to the online tour. Students and visitors have reported they sense a presence, and say strange things happen. Allegedly, doors open and shut by themselves and toilets flush on their own. It has also been said that on stormy nights, someone playing the piano can be heard and it is assumed to be the ghost of Mount.
Next on the tour are the dormitory halls and the dining hall, which have had plenty of reported instances of paranormal activity, according to the tour.
In Washington Hall, basketball player Len Bias overdosed on cocaine and died. The tour noted that since the day he passed in 1986, people have reported weird occurrences.
“People have said they heard basketball dribbles at night,” said Jeffery Tsao, a previous resident of Washington Hall.
Morrill Hall is known as one of the spookiest buildings on campus, according to the tour. It is home to many ghostly legends, where events have been reported since the 1860s. South Campus Dining Hall and LeFrak Hall were built on Morrill Hall grounds, both of which are rumored to have ghostly spirits lingering around.
Last on the tour are the chapter houses, specifically the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity House, the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority House and the Kappa Delta Sorority House.
In 1955, one of the Delta Tau Delta brothers was killed in a car accident. Ever since, the other brothers living in the house began seeing furniture moving and someone’s reflection on surfaces, according to the tour.
In Alpha Omicron Pi, the sisters reported hearing music playing on its own and computers shutting down randomly.
The Kappa Delta house has the spookiest story of all when it comes to the hauntings of the chapter houses. Kappa Delta was founded by Alma Preinkert, who worked at the University of Maryland until she died in 1954. It is said that her spirit has stayed in the house, watching over the girls and making sure they follow the rules, according to the tour.
Angelina Cassimates, a former resident of the Kappa Delta house, said the lights flickered when a rule of the house was broken or would shut off completely.
“Our wall was shared with the showers in the bathroom and we heard knocking everyday against the wall- no one was ever in the bathroom,” said Kara Grossier, a Kappa Delta sister.
Featured Image: Washington Hall on Oct. 31, 2022. Photo by Maya Patel.