Massachusetts is a pretty haunted state. Of course, most people know about Salem and the infamous witch trials that occurred there in the late 1700s – but did you know that a lot of that Massachusetts spook is centered on the state’s various colleges and college towns? With Halloween just around the corner, I figured I’d tell you about three of the most interesting university-related haunted locations. Coming in at the top of the list is Shelton Hall at Boston University. Originally constructed in 1923 as one of the first Sheraton hotels (the name “Sheraton” can still be seen engraved above the entrance), it was acquired by BU in 1954 and renamed Shelton Hall. But why was Sheraton so willing to sell such a picturesque and well-located property? Well, it might have something to do with the 1953 death of renowned playwright Eugene O’Neill in what used to be suite 401 (now the RA’s room at 417). After a ten-year period in which O’Neill was unable to write due to a tremor in his hands, he finally succumbed in the suite after whispering his last words: “I knew it. I knew it!” Students living in Shelton Hall report a load of unexplained occurrences, from wild temperature fluctuations to random uncalled-for elevator stops, both of which only affect the 4th floor. Currently, the floor is reserved for Creative Writing majors…maybe so that they can receive inspiration from O’Neill beyond the veil?
Next on the list is the Cutler Majestic Theatre, now owned by Emerson College. Constructed in 1903 for stage theatre, it was converted to accommodate vaudeville in the 1920s before becoming a movie house in the ‘50s. Emerson acquired it in the mid-1980s and restored it to its original appearance, but the façade was not the only historical relic preserved. Although the balcony seats have not been used for years due to fire hazards, they remain dustless as if sat in regularly. Rumor has it that this is due to a whole ghostly cohort, which includes (but is not limited to): a married couple who returns to watch shows even from the beyond, a little girl who will accept gifts left for her, and a mayor of Boston who allegedly died in balcony during a performance. Another creepy spot in the theatre is the so-called “Nightmare Room,” named such because casts and crews of productions at the Cutler Majestic have reported a sudden and overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, pressure, and anxiety while in the room. It really goes to prove what they say – shows come and go, but crippling stage fright lasts forever.
And finally, the last location on this list is near, but (fortunately or unfortunately) not on, our very own Brandeis campus. The Metropolitan State Hospital, located on Metropolitan Parkway South just off of Trapelo Rd, opened in 1930 just two days before Halloween. It operated for almost 50 years without significant incident…until one fateful Tuesday in the middle of August 1980. Following the disappearance of one patient in 1978, it took investigators two years until they found her remains buried in at least four different holes around the hospital grounds and arrested another patient for her murder. The reason for this delay? Apparently, the hospital had taken measures to cover up the victim’s disappearance. Legend goes that her spirit still haunts the hospital ruins to this day in retribution for this injustice. It’s no surprise that the hospital declined until finally closing for “budget reasons” 10 years later.
Whatever you may believe, I hope these creepy destinations give you something to think about, or maybe even somewhere to tour, this Halloween season. Just don’t do anything you’d yell at the cast of a horror movie for (examples include “Don’t got into the abandoned building at night!” and “Don’t follow the creepy noises!”).
Sources:
http://wzlx.cbslocal.com/2012/10/23/10-real-life-haunted-houses-in-massachusetts/
http://www.thevoiceofdowntownboston.com/haunted-boston-four-frightening-spots-downtown/
http://www.oddthingsiveseen.com/2013/09/abandoned-accessible-and-awesome.html?m=1
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/00/Sheltonhall.JPG/300px-Sheltonhall.JPG
https://hotelveritas.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/cutler.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TGZXmjGX_p4/TL3m-GChv1I/AAAAAAAAAYg/S5Jx9hGJPBo/s1600/DSC_1315.JPG