Ghosts and the City: Glatfelter Ghoul
Glatfelter Hall (Photo courtesy of Gettysburg College)
By Camila Seluja, Contributing Writer
More and more often as I’m scrolling down Instagram or peering through the seemingly endless pages of Pinterest, I’m coming across a similar theme of men not being up-to-par or, as seen in the vernacular, “men ain’t sh*t.” Now I will recognize that this statement has a strongly misandrist tone to it, but this trope seems to be only growing in attention and support from ladies, and possibly men themselves, fed-up with the faults of the opposite sex.
I will neither confirm nor deny the truth of the above-stated popular declaration (and, of course, the reader may wonder what in the heck this has to do with the supernatural) but such an idea is not a novel one in the least.
Today we will explore the highly haunted Glatfelter Hall. Legend goes, a young couple climbed to the top of the bell tower to fulfill a suicide pact earlier decided upon. It is not quite known the exact reasons behind the pact, but assumptions of a star-crossed love story are often thrown in the mix. No matter the rationale, these two lovebirds decided to metaphysically fly the coop, climbing every last step to the top of Glatfelter Hall. Upon reaching the top, the woman jumped first, assuming the man would follow.
However, her supposed “lover” had second guesses about joining the afterlife, and decided instead to descend back down the bell tower and leave this pact behind.
Of all reasons to haunt a hall, this seems the most reasonable to me. The other side would be fairly awkward once realizing that the suicide pact that brought you from the material plane was not exactly a pact at all. The young lady of Glatfelter Hall supposedly stands inside the bell tower, appearing only to young men who have potentially dangerous fates upon sighting her. Tales of lights being left on in the upper floor of Glatfelter and lavender perfume smelled by students are potential signs of her presence.
This spirit seems determined to eternally haunt the college due to her unfair treatment, a constant reminder of the fickle attitude of her male lover. Thus, this theme of men not quite living up to every promise and potential does not seem to be any new statement. Regardless of the truth or fairness of the increasingly popular statement, our own Lady of Glat seems to deem the sentiment strong enough to stick around a few hundred years to remind us all, and perhaps serve as a warning for those who don’t quite realize the trouble with placing too much trust on a lover.
