You can take a virtual ghost tour and learn more about Evansville's most notorious ghostly lady.

WKDQ-FM logo
Get our free mobile app
Google Maps/Canva
Google Maps/Canva
loading...

Willard Library

Located on First Avenue in Evansville sits a gorgeous Victorian gothic-style building that we know as Willard Library.  Willard Library is one of the first public libraries opened in the state of Indiana.  Of course, this library is well known for residing in a beautiful and historic building, but it's also well known for being home to Evansville's most notorious ghost, the Grey Lady.

If you're familiar with haunted Evansville history, there's no doubt you have at least heard of the Grey Lady.

 

Who is the Grey Lady?

According to Willard Library, no one truly knows who the Grey Lady is, but it is widely speculated that she is the ghost of Louise Carpenter the daughter of Willard Library founder, Willard Carpenter.

YouTube
YouTube
loading...

Sightings of the Grey Lady date back to the 1930s when a custodian bumped into a woman wearing a long dress and a grey shawl.  Quickly though that woman faded into darkness.  This was the first reported sighting of the ghost we now call the Grey Lady.

For decades there have been many odd happenings and unexplained events that have taken place inside of the walls of Willard Library.  Willard Library has had many employees who report seeing a ghost or having odd things happen while they were at work.  One patron reported seeing the Grey Lady in the elevator, and police responding to a security alarm have even reported apparitions in the windows of Willard Library.  These instances aren't even all of the encounters people have had with the Grey Lady over the years, you can read more encounters from Willard Library, here.

Grey Lady Ghost Tours

If all this talk of ghosts has you wanting a paranormal experience of your own, you can always take a Grey Lady Ghost Tour at Willard Library, and who knows maybe the Grey Lady will make a special appearance.

YouTube
YouTube
loading...

 

Personally, the ghost tours are one of my favorite local events, because it's really neat to get to see the library after dark and hear some of the spookier history behind this historic building.   Ghost tours typically take place during October and are free to attend, so keep an eye on Willard Library's event calendar for upcoming ghost tours.

Of course, if you're like me and you love getting a little dose of the spooky season all year long, you can watch a virtual Grey Lady Ghost Tour that Willard Library shared on their YouTube channel recently, below.  It's very informative and makes me excited for October (even though it's almost a year away, let me have this).

Hauntingly Beautiful Photoshoot Inspired by Evansville's Grey Lady

Evansville's most notorious ghost is no doubt the Grey Lady. The Grey Lady is said to roam the halls of Willard Library, and stir up a little mischief every now and then. Hayden Burns Photography was so inspired by the Grey Lady, that she created a photoshoot completely inspired by her. Check out her stunning ghostly images below!

Gallery Credit: Melissa Awesome

More From WKDQ-FM