The scariest types of ghost stories and haunted tours are places where horrible, ghoulish things happened in history, and Winthrop is no different. The Winthrop Student Alumni Council is hosting Ghost Tours at Tuttle Dining Room on Oct. 29 for students to go on a tour through supposedly haunted areas in Tillman Hall. A tradition since 2007, the Ghost Tours allow Winthrop students to learn about the history of Winthrop University and these supposedly haunted areas.
SAC member Shayna Foxworth stated that the Ghost Tours are one of the big events the organization plans for Winthrop students to get into the Halloween spirit while being away from home.
“Ghost stories at Winthrop help bring a sense of Halloween to Winthrop by giving a reason to both promote the spooky holiday, while continuing to offer alumni, students, staff, and the Rock Hill community an event that is out of the norm of regular Halloween activities. The stories add more suspense to the Ghost Tours because they are all true,” Foxworth said.
Some of the haunted areas at Winthrop include the infamous fourth floor of Tillman Hall and the stockades in the basement.
“One of the most memorable things about the Winthrop Ghost Tours is the experience itself. Being able to go to the fourth floor of Tillman is a privilege few staff, let alone students, are able to take advantage of. Also, hearing the various ghost stories are very memorable and intriguing,” Foxworth said.
Junior computer science major Nicholas Paul previously went on the ghost tours with his friends and his experience in Tillman Hall had an impression on him.
“I am the last person to believe in ghosts or any stuff like that, but I may have changed my mind a little after these tours,” Paul said.
Besides attending the tours, Winthrop students from different organizations on campus are able to help prepare for the tours and provide a fun experience for students who go on the tour for the first time.
“Some ways that students got involved with the tours is through volunteering as Ghost Tour guides, actors, contacting numerous departments, clubs, and organizations on campus and promoting and assisting with set up for the event,” Foxworth said.
“The most memorable part of the Winthrop Ghost Tour was learning and witnessing the history of Winthrop’s campus. Seeing the stocks in the basement of Tillman was by far the creepiest spot. Going in there, seeing the barbaric stocks in great condition, and the dark room where they used to keep the prisoners was unnerving and hard to believe that it had been a part of Tillman’s history,” Paul said.
Not only can students have fun and learn about their university, but they can also give back to the university by spreading the word as the SAC works to give students the opportunity to take part in this macabre event on campus.
“I think Ghost Tours are a good way for students to spend Halloween because they experience a wonderful tour that keeps them on their toes, and they too become ‘tradition keepers’ in the moment by simply choosing to support their university by going on a tour. Also, Ghost Tours are somewhat of a different experience compared to the regular haunted house, or Halloween party for college students,” Foxworth said.
“It is fun to learn more about your campus while being scared and terrified about what is hiding in it. It’s a great activity for Halloween because it is right on campus.” Paul said.
Winthrop Ghost Tours will be held on Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. in Tuttle Dining Room. Tickets cost $10 per person and proceeds will go to the Winthrop Fund.
Graphic: Mars Hogue/ The Johnsonian
