The Tea House

The Tea House

Early 1950's

Unknown

This photo shows students in the early 1950’s purchasing snacks, drinks, and other convenience items at the Tea House, one of the many purposes Reynolds Hall briefly served as the University campus expanded. By this time in the school’s history, the ghost story surrounding Reynolds Hall had begun taking a more firm shape.

According to report and rumor, President Reynolds was a colonel in the Confederate Army and had in fact been given charge of the Hall which had begun functioning as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Reynolds could not help but respond to the call when Sherman’s Troop attacked the Briarfield Iron Works a short distance away. The story goes that by the time Reynolds got back to Montevallo, the hall that would eventually bear his name had been attacked and the wounded soldiers taking refuge there massacred. It was then Reynolds, feeling the weight of guilt having left the hall, vowed to never leave again. To this day there are reports of hauntings in Reynolds Hall from various students and late night maintenance workers, including a portrait of Reynolds himself moving around the building without being touched.

English

1851-Present

Annie Crawford Milner Archives and Special Collections at the University of Montevallo

Adelyn Gillon

JPEG

Photograph

Photograph