A common scary legend that many Jefferson students and alums share is the ghost that haunts the Ravenhill Mansion on campus. The legend is that a nun’s spirit lurks through the mansion halls and spreads her frightful tactics to students, but not many know how the legend itself was conceived.
The story of the nun supposedly occurred long before Ravenhill Mansion was property of Philadelphia University. Philadelphia University, which our students know as ½ of our beloved Jefferson University, was founded in East Falls, Pennsylvania in 1884, when it was called the Philadelphia Textile School. Later in the 60’s, the school was renamed the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences. Now, the building we all recognize as Ravenhill Mansion was built in 1802, where it eventually was a component of the Catholic Diocese in Philadelphia. It was formerly known as the Ravenhill Academy for Girls, an order of nuns given to the Religious of the Assumption in 1910. Our esteemed Philadelphia University made it their property in the 80s.
But where is the ghost story in the midst of this history? Well, the story goes that the priest impregnated one of the nuns. Ashamed of her situation, the sister [trigger warning] subsequently hung herself in the attic. Apparently, that very attic has been locked away for decades.
Many students can attest to the rumoured hauntings in Ravenhill Mansion and the surrounding dorm buildings, such as Mott and Fortess. Many students mention lights flickering, doors shutting on their own, and phantom footsteps in the hallway. According to one blogpost, a student claimed they have even caught sight of the priest at the Ram Van stop. A parent said that their daughter was witness to objects that would move on their own in her dorm, and the door handle would jiggle at random times.
These anecdotes haven’t ceased just yet, so it appears that the legend is still alive. So if any Jeff students are in the mood for a fright, just try to summon the nun in Ravenhill Mansion, or search for her on the opposite hillside. Might as well get festive for Halloween, am I right?
Here’s to spooky season!
References: http://hauntsandhistory.blogspot.com/2010/08/philly-u-phantoms.html
https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show/7220#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0&z=-0.3589%2C-0.0397%2C1.7027%2C0.889
https://www.eastfalls.jefferson.edu/about/history/index.html