W. H. Trumbauer: The College Night Ghost

W. H. Trumbauer: The College Night Ghost

Like many other buildings on the University of Montevallo's campus, Palmer Hall is said to be inhabited by a ghost. The ghost in question would be that of Dr. William H. Trumbauer, an ardent supporter of the school's theater department and one of the chief designers of Palmer Hall. Trumbauer's spirit is said to linger in Palmer Hall due to his lasting bitterness that his name was left off of the building's cornerstone, despite his instrumental role in its design and construction.

Trumbauer's ghost (or "Trummy," as he is affectionately referred to on campus) is reportedly quite whimsical in his hauntings, sometimes seeing fit to visit the backstage of Palmer Hall during preparations for perfomances. His most notable exploit is said to be during the final dress rehearsal for College Night, where he will swing wooden battens over the stage (pictured), stopping them over the side (Purple or Gold) whose performance he most enjoyed. That side will supposedly win College Night.

Due to Trumbauer's fervent support of the arts and his reputation as a perfectionist in life, as well as his relatively amicable nature in death, his existence as a ghost is widely accepted, and his approval of a performance is taken quite seriously.

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University of Montevallo

Annie Crawford Milner Archives and Special Collections, Carmichael Library, University of Montevallo

Christopher Heck

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