MSU Campus Archaeology Program hosts 7th annual "Apparitions & Archaeology" tour

October 20, 2021 - Liz Schondelmayer, Katie Nicpon

Contact: Becky Jensen, jensenr7@msu.edu, Jeff Burnett (burne138@msu.edu)

The Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program is hosting the 7th annual "Apparitions & Archaeology" tour, an event that explores the history of MSU's campus as well as alleged hauntings that have taken place at the university. The event is free and open to the public, is family-friendly, and will take place on Tuesday, October 26 from 6-8 p.m. Those attending the tour can begin at any of the five locations and move around as they are interested. 

The MSU Campus Archaeology Program (CAP) is led by Spartan anthropologist Dr. Stacey Camp, and is housed within the Department of Anthropology, one of 14 degree-granting programs within the MSU College of Social Science. To host the event, CAP is partnering with the MSU Paranormal Society, a student-led organization that investigates hauntings in the Lansing area. The tour includes stops at Beaumont Tower, Mary Mayo Hall, the MSU Museum, the MSU library, and the historical Saints' Rest dormitory. 

The tour will be led by six student tour guides, including Jeff Burnett, a third-year PhD student in the MSU Campus Archaeology Program.

"I hope that our visitors take away an appreciation for the archaeological work CAP does, and how it helps us to learn about and share the history of MSU," said Burnett. "I also hope that visitors find that archaeology can be both fun and educational, and that everyone can be a part of the process of learning more about the past."

According to Burnett, the tour started in 2014 by Kate Frederick, former Campus Archaeologist, as a way for CAP to make archaeology more accessible and engaging for the public. The tour is based on a blog post from a former CAP student, Katy Meyers Emery, which documented many of the alleged hauntings that took place on MSU's campus. 

For those unable to make it to campus on the 26th, the tour will also be held virtually. The virtual tour is self-guided and can be accessed at any time. 

To learn more about the tour, visit the official Facebook event page or contact Jeff Burnett at burne138@msu.edu with questions.