Kean University’s Haunted History: The Ghost Stories That Linger on Campus

By: Melanie Seepersad | Publish Date: October 30, 2026.

Kean University has been around in some form since 1855. With the age of the university, there have been stories of bone-chilling paranormal activities that have been personally seen by Kean students and faculty. From Liberty Hall Museum’s history in the American Revolution to East Campus formally being Pingry School to our own Tower Practicum having a ghost writer, Kean is no stranger to the supernatural. 

Liberty Hall 

With Liberty Hall Museum being a 254-year-old building, it is known for having paranormal activities to this day. 

According to Kathleen Townsend, a museum educator for Liberty Hall Museum, “the sheer number of sightings by staff, visitors, and paranormal investigators is a bit overwhelming.” 

Captain John Kean, one of the last residents of the house, is one of the most reported sightings. Many staff, visitors, and even the former executive director have also reported seeing a man in a colonial outfit. 

There are also two rooms, Mary Alice’s room and the Red Room, that are most known for their apparitions.  

“Mary Alice’s bedroom is certainly one of the most active rooms. All sorts of things have been experienced there, most often women having a conversation, the smell of perfume, and cold spots. Although my favorite story was from a staff member who said it sounded like the furniture was being dragged across the floor only to find that no one was present and nothing had moved in the room,” said Townsend. “Staff, paranormal investigators, and visitors have seen full apparitions in that room and the reflections of people who aren’t there in the mirrors. Perfume and cigar smoke can be smelled. Voices can be heard in conversation. Lights staff never turn on are sometimes lit. Objects have moved. And I once saw the shadow of feet walking back and forth beneath the closed door.” 

In 2020, there was an investigation done in Liberty Hall by New Jersey Paranormal. There were EMF, or electromagnetic fields, recordings, audio caught on cassette tapes, photographs of orbs, and more.  

“They have recorded all sorts of things. They usually use a very wide range of investigative techniques, including new ideas,” Townsend said.  

The Liberty Hall Museum has acknowledged these activities and stories for various years and will continue to tell these stories for many more years.  

East Campus 

East Campus was once a coeducational, independent, country day school when it was founded in 1861. There were multiple campuses in New Jersey, with lower, middle, and upper schools. The haunting story is that there is a young girl who haunts the halls of East Campus after hours.  

Alyssa Mikita, a Kean University senior who is a history education major, said, “The story, as I was told it, was that she was being bullied back when East Campus was the Pingry School, and when the bullying got to be too much, she hung herself in the theater of the building.” 

It is alleged that the young girl only roams the hallways but does not interact with any objects or makes any unsettling movements.  

“I believe she just appears and vanishes, but I have not interacted with her,” Mikita said.  

Although the young girl is harmless, it is still rattling to those who witness the ghost wandering the halls of East Campus.  

The Tower 

There is a legend named Jerry who haunts the newspaper room, specifically the Tower Practicum room.  

In the 1960s, there was a competition to become Editor-in-Chief between two writers, Michael and Jerry. Jerry, who won the competition, was writing an investigative article regarding an organization that Michael was in. Unfortunately, before Jerry could finish his story, Michael shoved Jerry out the window to become Editor-in-Chief and protect the organization he was in. 

Kevin Modeszto, the current Editor-in-Chief of the Tower Practicum, shares his experiences with Jerry.  

“I’ve seen his name on our whiteboard, flickering lights, odd things having moved places or gone missing, and heard noise in the office when nobody was in there. I even saw a strange figure in there once,” Modeszto said.  

There have been slightly modified versions of Jerry’s story, according to Modeszto.  

“The years sometimes change, whether it be in the 1960’s, 1970’s, or 1950’s. Also, the organization that Michael was in, whether it was a fraternity or a club. There was also a version that was similar to the one I said, but Michael and Jerry’s names were different,” Modeszto said. “However, I believe the story I told was the real and true version.”  

Jerry continues to roam the Tower office, and the typewriter that sits alongside the windows of the room will always hold the tale of the ghostwriter. 

Conclusion

Kean University lives to tell the many tales of ghosts that roam the buildings. There are still horror stories that live to be told on campus. With the stories being passed down and the apparitions being seen, it sends chills down the backs of Kean students and staff. 

Kean Digital Learning Common also holds the Liberty Hall Collection. It is a collection of approximately 4,000 unique manuscript items that belong to the Livingston and Kean families.  

To those who are more curious or interested in these tales, especially the Liberty Hall Museum ghosts, the museum is holding a Candlelit Ghost Tours of Liberty Hall on October 30, between the times of 7:00PM and 8:30PM.