“I heard weird country music. I was really curious so I ventured inside. There was a buzz sound and then the music went back to normal.” A freshman at Manhattanville College was having a normal late at night walk to clear her thoughts when the before mentioned incident happened. She was passing by the old small chapel behind the college.
“There was no one in there.”
Manhattanville College was established in 1841 and has long been the center of many alleged horror stories. It all started with Reid castle which was established in 1864. What is now considered Manhattanville’s most important and beautiful asset has not always been the brightest spot in the area.
One of the most ambiguous rumors surrounding the castle states that the three daughters of the castles main owner burnt to death when the castle caught fire.
Although there are no official accounts or proof of the daughter’s death, the castle did burn to the ground in 1888 due to a short circuit. The similarity between the fact and the rumor leaves much space for wonder. Was there really three little girls who burnt to death within the glorious castle? If not, where did the horrendous story come from?
Many students have recalled encountering these paranormal events while roaming the castle. Things like “cold spots," “sudden door slamming," and “shadows” have been said to take place with unknown reasons within Reid.
Yet, the haunted feeling surrounding the college doesn’t only come from the castle. It is also linked to the grave yard located on the college’s campus near the old chapel. The grave yard contains what is estimated to be the ruins of 50 nuns and goes back to the days when the college was still known as Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart. It is worth mentioning that there is a tale of a nun haunting Spellman residents hall, going about opening doors to check on the children she once cared for. A similar accounting was registered by one of the current residents of the hall.
“It was three in the morning when someone tried to barge into the room. It was a strong force trying to open the door.” One of them recalled the terrifying encounter.
During the day, the grave yard appears to be peaceful and rather artistic with marvelous statues scattered here and there. However, when night fall hits the mood shifts almost visibly.
“I was walking by the grave yard late at night when something in the bushes kept following me. I looked around and nothing was there. But it felt real and scary.” The freshman remembered from her late night walk. She recalls trying to take a picture there, but the picture always came out unclear for unknown reasons.
In fact, the most famous horror story associated with the grave yard is that of a student at Manhattanville two years ago. He happened to take a picture in the grave yard and to his surprise a figure appeared in the background. The story, as the student’s professor mentioned in one if her classes, was shared on social media and went viral.
Whether proved or not, the mystery figure, snapping twigs, misplaced music, and ghostly nuns are now a part of the college’s atmosphere. It is undeniable that this college has even more stories to offer. Maybe, just maybe, that is why Halloween is so great at Manhattanville College.
