The White House is known as one of the most haunted buildings in the United States. Built in the 1700s to house the country’s presidents, it’s believed that some of its residents got so attached that they are now unable to leave. Guests of the White House claim they have seen everything from presidents to cats.
Ghosts of the White House: An overview about the history of the White House and its ghosts.
White House History: Brief descriptions of the White House and its ghosts.
Halloween Costumes: Dress up as your favorite White House spirit.
White House Ghosts (pdf): Descriptions of some the major hauntings in the White House.
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams is believed to haunt the East Room. The wife of John Adams, second President of the United States, Abigail did her laundry in that particular room because it had the most sun. On October 28, 1818, Abigail Adams died of typhoid fever. She’s seen floating towards the East Room, arms outstretched, as if she’s carrying laundry to do another load.
Abigail Adams: A biography of Abigail Adams by the National First Ladies’ Library.
East Room: The history of Abigail’s beloved East Room.
Dorothea Payne Madison
Dolley Madison was the First Lady of James Madison. She was credited with saving the portrait of George Washington when the British burned the White House in 1814. She passed away on July 12, 1849. Dolley loved the Rose Garden that she planted. When Woodrow Wilson’s wife ordered the Rose Garden be dug up, Dolley’s ghost appeared in a fury, scaring the workers, and it hasn’t been touched since.
Dolley And The Garden: Relates the story of Dolley and the garden.
Dolley Madison Project: Provides detailed information about Dolley.
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the United States. Before he took residence in the White House, he was a Major General in the military. He fought in a good number of wars including the Battle of Talladega, War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans and others. On June 8, 1845, Jackson passed away due to heart failure, chronic tuberculosis, and edema. Jackson’s ghost had been seen by Mary Lincoln. He’s also believed to haunt his bed in the Rose Room where he could be heard “swearing up a storm.”
Andrew Jackson: A biography by the Information Services Branch of the State Library of North Carolina.
American President: Many articles about Andrew Jackson by the Miller Center of Affairs.
President Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the 9th President of the United States. Only 32 days into his tenure, Harrison died. Initially, doctors thought that his illness was caused by the weather but it was later diagnosed to be the common cold virus which led to pneumonia and pleurisy. Harrison passed away on April 4, 1841.
Although nobody knows why they believe it’s him, many people have reported that they have heard Harrison in the attic above the Oval office. People believe he’s searching for something.
Biography of William Henry Harrison: His biography at the official White House site.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most illustrious of American Presidents. The 16th President of the United States, Lincoln is famous for leading the country through the Civil War and abolishing slavery. He passed away on April 15, 1865 when he was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre.
Lincoln’s ghost has been seen in his former bedroom where he was laid to die after he was shot. He’s the most famous ghost in the White House as he has been seen by a number of people over a period of 70 years. He even kept President Truman awake at night by rapping on the door and pacing the hallway.
Lincoln also dreamed of his own death. He told a close friend that he had a dream where he was awakened by sobbing and went downstairs. He went to the East Room where he found a casket. As soldiers were guarding the body, people were weeping. When Lincoln asked a soldier who had died, the soldier replied, ‘The President. He was assassinated.’ Not long after, Lincoln was killed.
Lincoln’s Premonition: Relates the story of Lincoln’s premonition.
Lincoln Bedroom: Describes Lincoln’s bedroom and how he’s believed to haunt it.
Lincoln Bicentennial: Dedicated to the bicentennial celebration of Lincoln’s birth with lots of information about his life and legacy.
Black Cat Ghost
Many people also believe that there is a black cat that haunts the White House. It’s said to appear around the times when the country is about to undergo a period of national distress or tragedy. The black cat ghost was first seen right before the stock market crash of the 20s occurred, right before John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and before other times of problems as well. Nobody is sure who the cat originally belonged to but it’s believed that it was never a pet in the White House. It’s usually seen in the basement.
Black Cat Haunting: Mentions the black cat haunting as well as other ghost sightings in the White House.
Demon Cat: Tells the story of the black cat.
Article written by Janice D. McDonald
Article written by Janice D. McDonald