The Ghost of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln’s ghost is the most frequently reported apparition in the White House. Since his assassination in 1865, numerous presidents, first ladies, and guests have reported seeing Lincoln’s ghost, usually in the Lincoln Bedroom or nearby areas of the Executive Residence.

Early Reports

Reports of Lincoln’s ghost began soon after his death. Grace Coolidge, wife of President Calvin Coolidge, was among the first to report seeing Lincoln looking out the window of the Oval Office.

Staff and visitors throughout the years have reported the sound of footsteps in the hallway outside the Lincoln Bedroom, knocks on doors, and the sensation of being watched.

Notable Witnesses

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, staying at the White House in 1942, reported answering a knock at her bedroom door and seeing Lincoln standing in the hallway. She fainted.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill allegedly saw Lincoln’s ghost while staying in the Lincoln Bedroom. According to some accounts, Churchill refused to sleep in the room again.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reported sensing Lincoln’s presence while working in the room. She felt she was being watched and attributed it to Lincoln’s spirit.

President Reagan’s Experience

President Ronald Reagan reportedly told visitors that he and his dog had both experienced strange occurrences, with the dog refusing to enter the Lincoln Bedroom.

The Knock

The most commonly reported phenomenon is a knock at the door of the Lincoln Bedroom. Guests open the door to find no one there, or occasionally see a tall figure in period dress standing in the hallway before vanishing.

Assessment

The White House’s long history and the national trauma of Lincoln’s assassination make it fertile ground for ghostly legends. Whether Lincoln’s spirit truly walks the halls of the house where he served and died, or whether suggestion and history create the experiences, his ghost remains the nation’s most famous.