Willard Library, Evansville, Indiana has its share of ghosts. Both an ‘All-Grey Lady’ and a Dark Mass seem to call this near 130 year old building home.
The ghosts and hauntings are so popular, that the library has installed ‘ghost cams’ – a series of video cameras that monitor several of the library’s haunted hot spots, so you can watch from home. It is from these cameras that a number of strange images have been captured. Could these be the ghosts that haunt the Willard Library?
The ghosts and hauntings are so popular, that the library has installed ‘ghost cams’ – a series of video cameras that monitor several of the library’s haunted hot spots, so you can watch from home. It is from these cameras that a number of strange images have been captured. Could these be the ghosts that haunt the Willard Library?
A Haunting
Willard Library. One early morning in 1937 the Willard Library night Janitor made his rounds in the basement, in order to stoke the coal furnace. It was to be the last night he worked alone in the library.
At approximately 3am, he made his way down the stairs and through the hall, so as to access the furnace area. As he made the short walk, he was startled to come face to face with a lady wearing a grey veil. She was bathed in a grey light that clearly illuminated her in the dark.
Such was the shock of seeing a woman in the basement that he dropped his light. As he bent down to pick it up, he made note that her shoes were also grey. As he stood back up he watched as the 'all-grey' lady disappeared.
The janitor quickly made his exit and quit his job soon after.
It was the first recorded sighting of the 'all-grey' lady of Willard Library.
For the past 85 years the grey ghost of Willard Library has been seen numerous times, by people from all walks of life. The most frequent reports come from the library employees and staff. Some of the more unnerving encounters take place within the library elevator, where one simply cannot flee in fear, but must rather complete their ride, trapped inside with the spirit.
There are several theories as to who the 'All-Grey' lady could be. Several concern a local graveyard, another ,that of a drowned woman within the library, and another is the belief it may have been someone who simply loved the library in life, so never left, but the most popular concerns the daughter of the libraries founder, Willard Carpenter.
At approximately 3am, he made his way down the stairs and through the hall, so as to access the furnace area. As he made the short walk, he was startled to come face to face with a lady wearing a grey veil. She was bathed in a grey light that clearly illuminated her in the dark.
Such was the shock of seeing a woman in the basement that he dropped his light. As he bent down to pick it up, he made note that her shoes were also grey. As he stood back up he watched as the 'all-grey' lady disappeared.
The janitor quickly made his exit and quit his job soon after.
It was the first recorded sighting of the 'all-grey' lady of Willard Library.
For the past 85 years the grey ghost of Willard Library has been seen numerous times, by people from all walks of life. The most frequent reports come from the library employees and staff. Some of the more unnerving encounters take place within the library elevator, where one simply cannot flee in fear, but must rather complete their ride, trapped inside with the spirit.
There are several theories as to who the 'All-Grey' lady could be. Several concern a local graveyard, another ,that of a drowned woman within the library, and another is the belief it may have been someone who simply loved the library in life, so never left, but the most popular concerns the daughter of the libraries founder, Willard Carpenter.
The Grey Lady?
Louise Carpenter. In 1876 Willard Carpenter (philanthropist) established a trust fund to see a library established in Evansville, Indiana, that would be "a public library for the use of the people of all classes, races, and sexes, free of charge forever."
Land was deeded, and in 1877, construction had begun.
Willard Carpenter died November 3, 1883, a year before the library was completed and opened in 1885.
Fortunately, Willard left a substantial portion of his estate to the library, leaving little if anything to his own family. This caused a bit of a stir, especially with his estranged daughter Louise Carpenter. She maintained that her father was in a poor state of mind when he wrote his Will, and attempted to sue the library trustees.
Louise failed and lost any claim she may have had to any of the libraries property (which was vast including a lot of land). Many believe it to be Louise Carpenter who haunts the Willard Library, still feeling indignant about being left out of her father’s Will.
Land was deeded, and in 1877, construction had begun.
Willard Carpenter died November 3, 1883, a year before the library was completed and opened in 1885.
Fortunately, Willard left a substantial portion of his estate to the library, leaving little if anything to his own family. This caused a bit of a stir, especially with his estranged daughter Louise Carpenter. She maintained that her father was in a poor state of mind when he wrote his Will, and attempted to sue the library trustees.
Louise failed and lost any claim she may have had to any of the libraries property (which was vast including a lot of land). Many believe it to be Louise Carpenter who haunts the Willard Library, still feeling indignant about being left out of her father’s Will.
Other Activity
Is this the Grey Lady? Aside from suddenly appearing and disappearing to people, the lady is said to turn on water taps and move objects around the library.
However, although the ‘All Grey Lady’ is the library’s paranormal star, there have been several other encounters, with different entities, inside the buildings walls.
It is known there are at least two separate energies, as police responding to a security alarm witnessed two 'ghosts' within the upstairs windows.
The other ghost is said to be a 'shadow person' or 'dark mass'.
Several photographs have been taken within the library, that show a dark mass, sometimes human shaped and other times seemingly without form. The main photograph you see here is one such image, taken from the libraries own surveillance system (several cameras of which are available to watch online for those who fancy doing their own vigil over the internet).
However, although the ‘All Grey Lady’ is the library’s paranormal star, there have been several other encounters, with different entities, inside the buildings walls.
It is known there are at least two separate energies, as police responding to a security alarm witnessed two 'ghosts' within the upstairs windows.
The other ghost is said to be a 'shadow person' or 'dark mass'.
Several photographs have been taken within the library, that show a dark mass, sometimes human shaped and other times seemingly without form. The main photograph you see here is one such image, taken from the libraries own surveillance system (several cameras of which are available to watch online for those who fancy doing their own vigil over the internet).
A dark humanoid mass crawls along the children rooms floor. It is one in a series of pictures which show what looks like a vaguely humanoid form, crawling along the ground in the children's room. At the same time the images were taken, it was noted that a chair and stool were moved. Unfortunately there is no sound recording to go with the video stills.
It is not known who or what the Willard Shadow Person is...
Both ghosts have been spotted at all times of the day, though the 'All-Grey Lady’ seems to become more active during periods of renovation and large changes in the library.
Active to the point where she has followed a librarian home for a night...
It is not known who or what the Willard Shadow Person is...
Both ghosts have been spotted at all times of the day, though the 'All-Grey Lady’ seems to become more active during periods of renovation and large changes in the library.
Active to the point where she has followed a librarian home for a night...
Ashley Hall 2012
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