Gettysburg College Glatfelter Hall 3. Glatfelter Hall was completed in 1889 at a cost of $92,000. Designed by John A. Dempwolf (1848-1926), a prominent regional architect of York, PA, it was known for over twenty years as the New Recitation Building. It received its current name in 1912 to honor the memory of Philip H. Glatfelter of Spring Grove, PA, a trustee and generous benefactor of the college. A thorough renovation of the interior in 1929 provided some additional windows in the north and west facades. Between 1989 and 1991 further renovations added a tower for an elevator and stairwell on the south facade and opened the building's large attic for academic use.
Built in the Romanesque Revival style, the building's various renovations have left its exterior largely unchanged. Constructed of red brick on a stone foundation, Glatfelter Hall is richly trimmed in Hummelstown brownstone and has a slate roof. When new, the building housed virtually all the college's classrooms and offices, the college library, elegant quarters for two student literary societies, and a natural history museum. A tall structure with a soaring tower 143 feet high, Glatfelter Hall continues to be one of the dominant features on the Gettysburg campus.
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.
