Paranormal Path
Ghosts of 1600
When we hear the address 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue we think of the beautiful historic White House in Washington D.C. Construction first began in 1792 but it wasn’t until November 1800 that the house had its first occupants, President John Adams and his wife Abigail. Since then this grand building has been the home to our countries presidents and like any other home has seen its share of intense emotions and unforgettable events. As I’ve previously discussed, whenever there is that much emotion and history tied to a location it creates a perfect breeding ground for paranormal activity.
The most common reports of a ghost in the White house are that of our 16th president Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln served as President from 1861 to 1865 when he was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre. During his term it has been reported that he and his wife would hold séances in the Green Room in attempts to contact their deceased son. There is also the report that President Lincoln had a dream of his own death, hearing people sob and seeing a casket, he asked a guard who had died and was told the President. These reports have definitely proven that Mr. Lincoln was a very “mystical” man but was it his belief in spirits or the fact that he led our country during the traumatic Civil War that has made his spirit stay at the White House?
Grace Coolidge, wife of Calvin Coolidge was one of the first to report seeing the apparition of President Lincoln, standing in the Oval Office with hands clasped behind his back looking out. There have been other reports of seeing the ghost of the former President, usually a knock on the door to those who stay in or near his former bedroom, some will see his image and it will slowly fade, others have seen him pacing and agitated in the second floor hallway. Yet Mr. Lincoln is not the only ghostly site at the White House.
Dolly Madison, who planted the beautiful rose garden on the White House grounds has been said to appear there and it has even been reported that she stopped an attempt made to dig up the garden by First Lady Ellen Wilson 100 years later. No one has attempted to disturb the garden since.
Abigail Adams ghost has been seen in the East Room hanging laundry to dry, since at the time of her residency construction had not been completed, this was the warmest and driest room in the house.
Andrew Jackson is believed to still occupy the Rose Room, where his bed can still be found. Mary Todd Lincoln was said to have heard Mr. Jackson making noise and cursing.
Another interesting report is that of Anne Surratt. Her mother Mary was executed on July 7, 1865 for her involvement with the assassination of President Lincoln. Anne is believed to appear on the steps of the White House on the anniversary of her mom’s death still pleading for her release.
On a more bizarre note, there have been reports of a black “demon cat” in the White House basement. This cat is believed to only appear at night and only when someone is alone. At first the feline will appear as a helpless kitten, but upon moving closer will increase in size and the demeanor will take a dark turn. This cat is said to be a bad omen. Reports of seeing the “demon cat” always occur before a tragic event. One of the first reports of the cat occurred before the great stock market crash in 1929 and it was also seen before the assassination of JFK
In 1952 there was reconstructive work done at the White House and the reports of paranormal activity, though still occurring, have decreased. There has always been great curiosity about what takes place behind those grand doors. This has been a place of great victory, defeat, joy, sorrow, mystery and intrigue. There is no doubt that the energy in this building will continue to surge and those who loved to stay may continue to stay, those who feel they have unfinished business may continue to work, and those who need the inspiration of great former Leaders and First Ladies may find it when it is least expected.