Spirits of the Square: Uncovering NYU’s Haunted History

Perhaps the most infamous of NYU’s ghosts, Molly has haunted Brittany Hall since 1929. According to legend, while the building was under construction, young Molly was playing with her dolls. Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell down an open elevator shaft. Despite an extensive search, her body was never recovered. Nearly 100 years later, her final resting place remains unknown. Many Brittany residents believe her spirit never left. Strange sounds and whispers echo through the building—especially in the basement. The whispers are unintelligible but eerie enough to send anyone scurrying back to their rooms. However, even the bedrooms aren’t always safe. One student recalls waking from a nap to see a shadowy figure standing in her doorway. Her roommate wasn’t home, leading her to believe it was Molly.

What does Molly want? Perhaps she doesn’t realize she’s gone and wanders the halls in search of a playmate—a pastime NYU students have little time for, especially during finals! Maybe one day, someone will release Molly to the spirit world, finally bringing peace to Brittany residents. But until then, be on the lookout for her presence—and if you can, spare a moment to play with her.

The iconic centerpiece of NYU, this park is a favorite spot for students to picnic, read, or chat on sunny days. But just a few layers below the earth lies a chilling secret. Over 20,000 bodies rest in a mass grave beneath the ground, victims of yellow fever from the 1790s to early 1800s. Hastily buried without proper burial ceremonies, these souls were unable to pass into the spirit world, binding them to the park. They love to give NYU students chills on warm nights, lurking as shadows in the trees.

Don’t let these spirits spook you away from enjoying the park—they just want to join in on NYU’s student life!

Perhaps you learned about this in your high school history class. On March 25, 1911, 146 young female workers perished in a tragic factory fire, prompting a new wave of advocacy for better working conditions and workplace safety. While many have heard of the incident, few realize that it occurred in a building now owned by NYU. Though these spirits met a tragic end, they have a soft spot for NYU students. After all, it was NYU law students on the 10th floor of the Silver Building who held out ladders to help some escape the flames.

So, if you ever hear distant cries or catch a faint smell of smoke, remember that NYU played a role in saving many that day! And don’t worry—some of those “smoky” scents might be coming from our Chemistry majors who now use the space as a laboratory!

It wouldn’t be an NYU article if we didn’t mention our iconic Downtown Brooklyn campus; spirits aren’t bound to Washington Square alone. The Wunsch Building, now home to the admissions office and career center, was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. While no lives were lost in the building, employees and students alike report whispers coming from the basement. Perhaps these souls seek knowledge along the way to where they are going next—and what better place to find it than NYU Tandon School of Engineering?!