Myths Unveiled: The Social History of The Evergreen State College ...

Evergreen Ghosts
Rosenow | 22
Many people have seen strange things throughout the campus other than the unusual
behavior that happens occasionally or the occasional unusually dressed characters. Somehow, the
supernatural had been hanging around the campus whether we want them or not. I’m talking mainly
about ghosts. The Evergreen State College had ghosts well before the institution was dreamed up,
not just former students, staff or faculty as once thought.
From an open letter written to the Daily Olympian from October 31, 1968, The Churchman
Family said there is a ghost currently living in their home that they would be certainly glad to pass on
to the college. Mrs. Churchman wrote 31
:
To The Future Students of Evergreen State College:
We, the Churchman Family of the Lewis Road, west of Olympia, wish to leave a legacy to The Evergreen State
College, which will occupy the land we have called home for the last ten years.
We have left now, after a reluctant sale of our home to the State of Washington. We leave behind us one small member
of our family whom we found it impossible to move. We leave you our household ghost.
He came to us about four years ago and his presence has been a part of our lives since the day he entered our home
unannounced. He is often heard walking about the house and gravel paths and he is often seen and heard opening the
doors of the home and other buildings. He seems to be quite at home and comes at all hours of the day and night. He
has never attempted to harm any member of the family.
Not only are we used to his comings and goings, but the family dogs ignore him though he is heard walking within a
few feet of them. Sometimes they will look when he opens a door but never make a fuss about it.
We wonder why he chose our home. Was there something here that we never understood?
We are going to miss him but we feel our friend will be a good member of the new college. We wonder which group of
students he will choose for his new companions when the school is finished and occupied. We hope you will be kind to
him, future students, and accept him as we have Treat him well. He is our legacy to you.
The Churchman Family
31 (Nelson 1968)