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The Spirits of Austin Peay
 Austin Peay State University was originally founded in 1927 by an Act of the General Assembly, and named after then-Governor Austin Peay. It was originally established as a teacher training institution. Prior to 1927, it had been known as Southwestern Presbyterian University, Montgomery County Masonic College, Clarksville Academy, and Rural Academy, among others, dating back to 1806.
Austin Peay was converted to a four year institution in 1939, by the State Board of Education. It has grown to become a major university in the state of Tennessee, while maintaining its small university feel. APSU has also earned a reputation as having a very strong history and political science department, and has become one of Tennessee's foremost centers of higher learning. Because of its long history, APSU is said to be haunted, just as nearly all colleges are. One legend says that the ghost of Governor Austin Peay walks about the campus, checking up on the university named in his honor. Occasionally, students or faculty claim to see him.
Margaret is most often reported on the third floor. She loves to play jokes on people. Sometimes, an elevator will move up and down on its own, as Margaret rides it. She is also known to slam doors, and even call out the name of anyone in the theater late at night. Margaret is most commonly encountered on the third floor. Over the years, she has been blamed for any strange occurrences in the building.
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Trahern Fine Arts Center is home to many plays and other dramatic performances. It is also home to a ghost named Margaret, or so the story goes. No one knows the identity of Margaret, but she has come to be a beloved part of campus life at Austin Peay. Legend has it that Margaret was once a drama student at Austin Peay who died before she got her big break. This is a common story across campuses, but it's no less interesting, and who knows, perhaps it is true. 