Chilling stories of ghostly encounters at the White House and President’s Park. From Abraham Lincoln’s apparition to haunted Lafayette Square, uncover the paranormal side of America’s iconic residence.
Situated on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House is the official workplace and residence of the United States President.
It not only is a critical point in American politics, but has been said to be host to paranormal phenomena.
Guests, staff, presidents and first ladies alike have claimed to have experienced the unexplained inside the white house, which is why it is regarded as one of the scariest places in America.
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The Ghost of Abraham Lincoln
Probably the most documented spirit is that of Abraham Lincoln. Grace Coolidge, the first lady, claimed she saw Lincoln’s figure looking through a window in the yellow oval room.
Winston Churchill, who was the prime minister of Great Britain, claimed to have seen Lincoln’s ghost sitting by a fire after emerging from a bathtub.
With his characteristic sense of humor, Churchill said, “Good evening, Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage.”
Furthermore, Wilhelmina, the Queen of the Netherlands, is said to have collapsed after seeing Lincoln while he paid her a visit at her room door.
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Other Spirits of the Presidents
The unsupported claims of ghostly figures in America do not stop at Lincoln.
Andrew Jackson is claimed to haunt the Rose Room where he can occasionally be heard laughing.
Jefferson is said to have been seen playing his violin in the yellow oval room.
The attic is thought to be tormented by the naughty spirit of William Henry Harrison, and John Tyler’s ghost is said to have been seen in the Blue Room while courting his second wife.
Family Members And First Ladies
Abigail Adams, spouse to the second president, is often sighted in the East Room where it is said she used to hang her laundry. Witnesses claim to have experienced a drop in temperature and a faint hint of soap.
Dolley Madison, famed for her charm, is thought to be guarding the Rose Garden; it is claimed that her spirit prevented the gardeners from changing the layout she has constructed.
In 1870’s, some staff members from Grant’s administration claimed that they saw the son, Willie Lincoln, of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln who had died in the white house, wandering around.
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The Mysterious ‘Thing’
Reports claim that during the year 1911, some staff members from the Taft administration claimed to see a ghostly figure which they later termed as “The Thing”.
This ghost was described as a young boy around 14 or 15 years. Taft felt so disturbed after hearing about this spirit that he had instructed his military aide to warn the staff against making up stories which would cause a lot of hysteria.
Hauntings in President’s Park
The park separates the white house, so it has its own set of ghost stories. In the park, Lafayette Square is said to be home to Philip Barton Key.
Philip was the son of Francis Scott Key who was killed by congressman Daniel Sickles during 1859 because he had an affair with his wife.
Many witnesses have claimed that they have seen Bartons ghost wandering around the place where he got murdered.
Modern Anecdotes
The ghost stories of the white house do not end there. Even in modern day, people still narrate these haunted tales.
Jenna Bush Hager, the daughter of George W Bush, shared that her spouse fancied “ghost-hunting” at the White House and would attempt to speak to its legendary ghosts after parties.
Apart from these accounts, there are a variety of other reports that support the White House as being a mini palace of sorts, but one that also has a bit of an eerie aspect to it.
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