Since 1792 when construction began, the White House has stood as a symbol of the Presidency, the United States government, and the American people. President Washington, together with city planner Pierre L’Enfant, chose the site for the new residence, which is now 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792. Although President Washington oversaw the construction of the house, he never lived in it. It was not until 1800, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first residents, President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved in. Since that time, each President has made his own changes and additions. The White House is, after all, the President’s private home. It is also the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public, free of charge.
History
The White House has a unique and fascinating history. It survived a fire at the hands of the British in 1814 (during the war of 1812) and another fire in the West Wing in 1929, while Herbert Hoover was President. Throughout much of Harry S. Truman’s presidency, the interior of the house, with the exception of the third floor, was completely gutted and renovated while the Trumans lived at Blair House, right across Pennsylvania Avenue. Nonetheless, the exterior stone walls are those first put in place when the White House was constructed two centuries ago.
Hauntings
The power surrounding the building and the residents may be one of the reasons the White House has so many different spirits.
Basement: A phantom black cat in the basement of the White House is said to predict national tragedy, appeared right before JFK died, just before the crash of the stock market in the '20s, and on many other occasions.
Gardens: Dolly Madison haunts the White House gardens and gets angry every time someone tries to change the way the gardens look. The ghost of President Lincoln has been seen all over the White House.
Hallways: Abigail Adams walks through one of the hallways as with her arms out as if she has an armful of something, then proceeds to go through the motions of what looks like laundry.
Attic: President Harrison is often heard in the attic.
Lincoln Bedroom: Lincoln has been seen in his room all the time. He has been seen walking around and has been seen in his window. I have seen the white house and people have seen him in his window and in his room. Lincoln has also been heard moaning and groaning in his room.
Rose Bedroom: President Andrew Jackson is said to haunt his bed in the room.
Contact Information
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