The White House is an iconic symbol of American power and political stability, with a rich history that began when President George Washington selected the site for the capital city in 1791. Construction of the White House began in 1792, with the laying of its cornerstone on October 13th of that year.
Although President Washington oversaw the construction of the house, he never lived in it. It wasn’t until 1800, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first residents, President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved in. There have been numerous reported paranormal activities in the White House since its construction.
One of the most frequently reported White House ghosts is President Abraham Lincoln. Legend has it Lincoln saw his fate before he was assassinated. He reported a dream to his cabinet in which he wandered into a funeral at the white house, and when he inquired of one of the mourners who had died, the man responded “The President… he was killed by an assassin.”
Lincoln has been seen or heard by many residents, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. President Truman once claimed to have heard Lincoln pacing the hallway and knocking on his bedroom door.
Lincoln’s ghost has been spotted by many visitors and residents of the white house, among them First Lady Grace Coolidge, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and even Winston Churchill, who famously spoke of the encounter. He claimed to be fresh from the bath (naked) when he walked into the bedroom and saw Lincoln standing near the fireplace. Churchill said “Good evening, Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage.”, after which Lincoln smiled softly and disappeared. Winston Churchill famously refused to sleep in that bedroom ever again.
There have been numerous reports of strange noises, unexplained footsteps, and other paranormal activity from the White House.  The White House has been the site of many historical events and has played host to a great deal of important historical figures, with over 200 years of history there are perhaps unsurprisingly, said to be multiple spirits in residence.
The following ghosts are associated with the White House. They are listed here in chronological order.
David Burnes’ ghost
David Burnes owned the land on which the White House now stands. He has been seen or heard in the Yellow Oval Room.
The Unnamed British Soldier’s ghost
An unnamed British Soldier who perished during the War of 1812 roams the White House Grounds, holding a torch.
William Henry Harrison’s ghost
William Henry Harrison haunts the attic. He was the first president to die in the White House.
Abigail Adams’ ghost
Abigail Adams, the wife of the second president, John Adams, did her own laundry when she lived in the White House, and there’s apparently still plenty of washing to be done. White House staffers have seen her ghost floating around the East Room with her arms holding an invisible load of laundry. Sometimes, they smell wet clothes or even the scent of lavender in the area.
Willie Lincoln’s ghost
Willie Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s 11-year-old son, died in the White House of typhoid on February 20, 1862. Willie Lincoln’s ghost was first reported to have been seen in the White House by staff members of the Grant administration in the 1870s.
Abraham Lincoln’s ghost
Lincoln’s ghost is the most famous ghost story associated with the White House. Many people, including world leaders, have claimed to have seen his ghost in the White House and other locations. Lincoln’s ghost has also been said to haunt many of his former residences in Springfield, Illinois, including his former law office.
Anna Surratt’s ghost
Anna Surratt bangs on the doors of White House, pleading to see President Andrew Johnson. She was there to beg for a pardon for her mother, Lincoln assassination conspirator Mary Surratt.
