Vilas Hall is home to one of the student newspapers, The Daily Cardinal, which has been covering campus news since 1892. An alumni from the 1980s who worked at the newspaper said that one day, the printer had turned on on its own and had spit out the letters “ORV” in xxx’s on one of its piece of paper.
The Cardinal writers knew that it was a message from Orv Larson, who was the Daily Cardinal printer for years and had died the winter before. Orv used to work third shift and he’d bring beer to work from his favorite tavern, the Black Bear Lounge. Since beer wasn’t allowed in the building, Orv would cough when he’d pop the top to disguise the sound. And now if you hear a mysterious cough in the middle of the night at Vilas, don’t worry, it’s just Orv.
Meet Orv, the spirits of Science Hall, the victims of Sterling, the bodies underneath the statue of Abe Lincoln, underground adventurer Tunnel Bob, and many more ghosts and legends of the University of Wisconsin campus.
Join American Ghost Walks for a tour around the UW campus in Madison. We let you in on the legends, history, ghost stories, and real paranormal experiences that have been reported on the University of Wisconsin campus, including around Library Mall and up and down Bascom Hill.
On the steps of the Wisconsin Historical Society (816 State Street Madison, WI)
Expert paranormal guide
Duration: 90 minutes
Easy/Moderate
This lakefront landmark has been a favorite of students and alumni for decades. Built in 1931, why do people seem to see a woman dressed in Nineteeth Century clothing on the staircases?
Actors and stagehands here have several haunted stories about this theater and why is there a lamp that's always on that they call it a "ghost light"?
The University's most reportedly haunted building. From mad scientists in the attic to ghosts of victims hung from the rafters, Science Hall has its share of campus superstitions.
The original home of one of America's oldest radio stations, WHA, whose first broadcast dates to 1919. Who are the announcers that never left the airwaves?
The first building at the University of Wisconsin was also the dormitory home of John Muir, the founder of the Sierra Club. But in this historic buliding, we have ghost stories from the 1880s as well as the 1980s...
Madison's most unusual gravesite has sat under Honest Abe's watchful eye for over a century. Who is buried on Bascom Hill?
From a tragic act of terrorism during the Vietnam protests to the dumping ground of a murder, Sterling Hall has its share of sad stories and haunted energy.
UW-Madison's first music school was the original auditorium that could house the university in 1880, all 481 of its students. Former professors have talked about the weird things they've seen wandering the halls.
One of UW's newer buildings also has some of its weirdest urban legends. Is it really riot-proof? What happened to the original architect. Don't worry, we'll have the real story.
Meet Orv, the printer of one of the University's two student newspapers. According to the Daily Cardinal 's former staff, Orv is still sneaking beers from beyond the grave.
What beloved University of Wisconsin librarian can still be seen walking "The Stacks"?
On this tour, we focus on building exteriors and outdoor spaces. Businesses and public places are open for you to visit during regular business hours. Otherwise we respect the privacy of individuals and organizations and expect that our guests do the same.
Service animals are welcome. However, for liability issues, please leave your furry friends at home if you don’t require their assistance.
We can never guarantee a supernatural encounter, but we will explain paranormal phenomena such as cold spots and residual hauntings. What we do guarantee: Our local connections and dedication to research means you'll get authentic accounts — in all their shocking detail.
While our tours do not contain anything too graphic or inappropriate, we find that kids that enjoy history have the best time. You know your children and that's left up to you. We do not recommend bringing children in strollers because sometimes that can be difficult with larger walking groups.
All sales are final, but we can help you with a reschedule or ticket credit. We love ghosts, not monsters!
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