This past weekend was bittersweet. The youngest son graduates in about a month, so Friday and Saturday were his last college concert performances. We’ve truly enjoyed going to all the symphonies and orchestras over the past four years and experiencing the music. Made us feel a little more cultured! Plus, he cleans up well and looks pretty good in a tux. Hubby knew practically nothing about music or instruments when our son began pursuing his love of music in middle school, but he’s learned quite a bit over the years. Even after he graduates we still plan on attending future events.
Most of the concerts have been held at Van Meter Hall on campus. It was constructed in 1910 and is a beautiful example of a historic theater. With its white columns on the exterior, a lofty two story lobby, brass railings, sculptures, and marble arches and staircases, a person could spend hours just touring and appreciating the building.
It’s also haunted. According to several sources, anyway. Stories vary about exactly who died in the theater and how. In one scenario, a construction worker fell through the skylight in the lobby and was killed. Another says a student was hanging lights about the stage and fell to his death. Still another version says there are caverns beneath the campus and a hermit living in the caves found a secret passageway into Van Meter Hall. He carries a blue lantern that explains the blue light associated with the ghost.
Being fascinated with anything supernatural, I’d love to be alone inside the hall. I’d sit on the stage and listen to whatever story the building wanted to tell me. Hubby says I’m crazy (he’s not a believer – a tragic flaw I graciously overlook). If you’re interested in reading more about the ghost haunting Van Meter Hall, click HERE and HERE.
Have a safe and healthy week!
Books and Such 
What a beautiful concert venue! I don’t know if I buy the cave-and-hermit theory, but I can easily understand how a worker of some kind could have fallen to his or her death.
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Yep – that hermit theory isn’t the one I’d go with. With the soaring heights inside this theater, it’s easy to believe someone died from a fall.
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That’s lovely. Congratulations. I’m sure it was a bittersweet evening.
And I look forward to your next novel (after this WIP, of course) being set in a haunted concert venue. 😉
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Ha! You got the haunted part right, but it’s not a concert venue. But that sure gives me ideas.
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So glad you enjoyed the concerts, Teri, and what a beautiful hall for your son’s performances.
I can fully see where a place like that would conjure tales of hauntings and tragic happenings in the past. Unlike you, no way would I want to hang around and hope to encounter the ghost, LOL!
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No? I thought for sure I could count on you and Priscilla to join me, lol.
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I’m such a wuss 🙂
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Congratulations to your son, Teri. I’m sure you and your husband are very proud. What a gorgeous venue! I can hear your wheels turning with story ideas. 🙂
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Thanks, Jill! Seems like every time we went to a concert, I’d get a snippet of an idea.
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Beautiful and cool building! Congratulations to your son. It’s so exciting to finish college 🙂
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Thanks, Tessa! It’s also exciting to make that last tuition payment, lol!
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I hear ya 😊
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I fully understand the bittersweet part of this. Hopefully, he’ll continue with music in some form. Sounds to me like you’ve discovered a gold mine for future stories.
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He does plan to continue with something in music, even if it’s something on the side. He has a double major and music is one of them.
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I think that’s wonderful.
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This place looks amazing and I love that it is haunted. A great setting for a paranormal book. How special to see your son perform there.
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It really is a stunning venue. I’m sure it inspires the young performers who take the stage, also. And it’s a perfect setting!
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Four years flew by, didn’t it? How wonderful that you and your husband have supported your son with your presence. He’ll always remember that. 🙂 And cool about the haunting! Sorry about your husband’s tragic flaw, though. Sigh. You are very gracious, Teri. Lol
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It sure did, Diana. Even our son can’t believe how fast it went. We’re fortunate he went to a local university so we could enjoy all of his performances. I’m glad someone else thinks I’m gracious, lol!
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Bittersweet endings, Teri. I absolutely LOVE old buildings with such grand architecture. Like you, I would love to sit in the hall late at night alone and if nothing else, “feel” the spirits that wander there.
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You’re the first to join me, Jan! Seems it’s rare to find theaters like this these days. They’ve done a wonderful job keeping it preserved.
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The kids move on, and the parents are left holding the memories. We loved every moment of equestrian competition of our youngest. Lasted sixteen years. I would love to sit in a haunted building to see what happened. Thanks, Teri.
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Equestrian competitions – now that’s something I know nothing about, but I’d love to see one. So that’s you, me, and Jan willing to sit in a haunted theater after dark.
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Bourbon fueled course. With maybe some popcorn.
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Very brave!
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Can’t blame the ghost for wanting to hang around, in such a beautiful building.
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Right? You could do worse than to haunt a beautiful building like this.
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The jail I used to work at (closed now) is haunted, but why?
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Wow, I can see why you are inspired by the place. Congratulations to your son 🙂
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Thanks, Jessica! It reminds me of the theater in NYC where we saw Phantom of the Opera. Gets the brain wheels turning.
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This place looks beautiful. Those stories sounds creepy but interesting.
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Creepy and interesting – the best kinds of stories.
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Beautiful pics of Van Meter Hall, but how creepy! Wonderful that he’s graduating, Teri. I’m sure that’s a great feeling. 👍
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It’s wonderful, but that’s also bittersweet, Jenn. That last tuition was definitely more sweet, though!
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Hi Teri – isn’t it great when our adult children introduce us to new things and experiences? Van Meter Hall looks like it holds a lot of stories. Thanks for the haunted links!
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Sure is, Barbara. I’ve always been a music lover (former band geek here!), but it was all pretty new for hubby. Him wanting to go back really says something for their program. And I’d love to know more stories about Van Meter.
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Doesn’t he know? All the grand old buildings have ghosts!
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Right? That’s what makes them so irresistible.
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How lovely that you youngest son is musical. My older son achieved grade 5 in piano but he had no love for it and gave it up after that. Michael is learning to play the drums and is interested in the piano but he doesn’t have the self discipline to really achieve much with music. The concert hall looks amazing and I love the ghost story.
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I kind of pushed him into music around the age of 11 – but he says it was the best thing I ever did. He was never a fan of sports, and I suspected he’d find “his people” in music. He now plays all percussion, piano, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, French horn – you get the idea. My oldest son never had an interest except for listening. Michael may learn to love it more – hope he sticks with it!
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How fascinating about the hauntings. For there to be so many stories, there must be something… I’d love to learn what really haunts there.
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So would I, Tori. I’d love to be in the hall by myself and just listen. Hope you’re feeling better, and thanks for visiting!
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A little better, thanks. Still not feeling particularly great, but there’s definitely some improvement.
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