The Haunted Cathedral of Learning

Posted: 12.03.2024 | Updated: 12.03.2024

If you were to find yourself standing inside the University of Pittsburgh’s campus, you would be bewildered to see a massive monolith of a structure stabbing the skyline of the university. It almost seems more suited as a location in The Lord of Rings than a place of education.

This is the Cathedral of Learning, the second tallest education building in the world, shadowed only by the main tower of Russia’s Moscow State University. 

Yet, some secrets reside in this tower, forbidden knowledge that has slipped from the lips of classmates and facility alike. If you ask the right people, you’ll learn of things lurking in the corners, long thought forgotten.

Let us hit the books and learn the truth. Looking to see more of haunted Pittsburgh? Make sure to book our ghost tour with Pittsburgh Ghosts.

Take an unflinching look at what makes the Steel City one of the most haunted locations in the state. Uncover countless stories of mining operations and milling tragedies gone wrong and meet the ghosts of Pittsburgh who inspired true stories of real-life encounters and hauntings.

Is the Cathedral of Learning Haunted?

Through the years, many students and faculty members have shared their experiences of the unexplained things that have gone on inside the Cathedral. Many believe the hauntings may have to do with the numerous items donated to the Cathedral.

The essence of the original owners may have remained trapped in these items.

Tower of Babel

“They shall find wisdom here and faith—in steel and stone, in character and thought—they shall find beauty, adventure, and moments of high victory.”

These were the words that University of Pittsburgh Chancellor John Bowman used to describe his vision for an educational institute that would rival any in the country. Indeed, the world. The university was experiencing a wave of new students in a post-World War I society.

Instead of focusing on building several new halls to keep up with the growing student population, Bowman envisioned a massive structure, a beacon to inspire students, and a symbol to showcase the pride of the university.

Bowman proposed the skyscraper in 1921, just as he became chancellor. He faced much blowback and resistance from peers and the university. The major issue for many was the funding for the behemoth, the estimated cost for its construction being 10 million, more than 160 million today.

The university announced a public fundraising to finance the building. Businesses and individuals alike contributed to the idea of this Cathedral of Learning. Even schoolchildren contributed. More than 97,000 students donated a dime each to help cover the costs.

Construction began in 1926, taking nearly a decade to be fully completed. Classes were held in 1931 while construction was still underway. It wouldn’t be until 1937 when the Cathedral was completed.

Standing 42 stories, with more than 2,000 rooms, and even a 4-story high common room, the Cathedral of Learning is a true monument. It, in every way, lives up to its name. However, 31 rooms have nearly outshined the building itself.

The Nationality Rooms

These classrooms are wholly unique to the Cathedral of Learning. Each one represents the many cultures that helped make Pittsburgh the city it is today and is donated by each group. Each of the rooms’ particular designs predate the year the university was founded, 1787.

The Czechoslovak Room’s design is based on folk and farmhouse styles. The room’s walls are adorned with nature illustrations and men of Czech and Slovak history who helped shape the country.

The Greek Room’s architecture is from the 5th century B.C., the oldest design of the Nationality Rooms. Massive, white columns surround the room, almost like a temple from Athens. Each chair of the classroom has a Greecian location etched on its back.

The Ukrainian Room is inspired by 18th-century Baroque entryways in homes. The beams of the room showcase the evolution of the alphabet. Copper murals along the walls depict Kiev’s history.

These are just some of the rooms that comprise the whole Nationality Rooms. Yet, there is one room that stands out more than any other. It has more than just a cultural aesthetic. It has ghosts.

The Haunted Early American Room

The Early American Room is one of two Nationality Rooms that are not classrooms. The room was a gift from the University’s President of the Board of Trustees, George Hubbard Clapp. The room depicts a 17th-century New England home.

There is a secret passageway that leads to the second level of the room, which depicts a bedroom. It’s in this bedroom that alleged hauntings occur.

The former director of the Nationality Rooms Program used to believe that her grandmother haunted the room. She donated a quilt that her grandmother had made 120 years ago that now covers the room’s bed.

One day, she was making up the bed with the quilt. She turned to leave when she heard what almost sounded like wind. She turned around and saw that the quilt had been turned over, and there was what looked like a dent on the pillow, almost like a head was lying on it.

Another time, the director was taking a nap in the bedroom. At some point, she heard a loud crashing sound hit the floor. She looked and found her handbag on the floor when it had been securely sitting on a chair for the past hour and a half.

Other visitors have noticed some strange occurrences happening in the room. Some saw the cradle in the room rocking back and forth by itself. Others have sworn they smelled bread cooking from the oven. Cold spots have also been known to manifest throughout the room.

Of course, this room isn’t the only one that’s seen its fair share of ghosts.

The Croghan-Schenley Ballroom

The ballroom is arguably the most fascinating room in the entire Cathedral, and that’s saying something. It’s arguably the oldest room in the building, more than a century older than the Cathedral.

Now how can that be?

The ballroom was part of a mansion that William Croghan, Jr. built in the 1830s. The ballroom was meant as a present for his daughter Mary. Yet, she would never have the chance to use it. Her father would never allow it.

The ballroom was created to celebrate Mary’s coming-of-age, which in those days was 15. That fact might be creepier than the ghosts. Regardless, Mary celebrated her coming-of-age by eloping with a 43-year-old British Army captain. 

Mary’s father disowned her after hearing the news.

During the 1940s, the ballroom was deconstructed piece by piece and moved to the Cathedral of Learning. It now serves as a meeting room. There is even a secret room through the fireplace.

It seems that Mary’s ghost can be seen quite a bit in the hidden room and throughout the ballroom. Rumor has it she might even haunt the entire Cathedral.

People have also reported other strange occurrences that have happened in the ballroom. Some have heard the sound of a piano playing in the room where there is no piano to be seen. Other times, the chandelier has been known to sway on its own. Even the furniture has been known to move on its own.

It looks like Mary can enjoy her ballroom after all.

Haunted Pittsburgh

There is much to learn at the Cathedral of Learning from its professors and ghosts. Isn’t learning nothing more than discussing the ghosts of the past? If you’re interested in learning more about the many other ghosts that inhabit the city of Pittsburgh, book our tour, Pittsburgh Ghosts.

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