America’s Most Famous Ghost

The ghost of Abraham Lincoln is the most frequently reported spirit in the White House. Since his assassination in 1865, presidents, first ladies, staff, and visiting dignitaries have encountered the 16th president’s apparition.

The Location

The White House:

• 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
• Washington, D.C.
• Lincoln Bedroom
• Second floor
• Oval Office area

Notable Witnesses

Who has seen him:

• Queen Wilhelmina
• Winston Churchill
• Eleanor Roosevelt
• Grace Coolidge
• Multiple staff

Queen Wilhelmina’s Encounter

1940s incident:

• Knock at door
• Opened to Lincoln
• Full apparition
• She fainted
• Told FDR

Winston Churchill

British Prime Minister:

• Saw Lincoln
• Emerged from bath
• Lincoln by fireplace
• Quipped at ghost
• Refused room again

Grace Coolidge

First Lady:

• Saw Lincoln
• At Oval Office window
• Looking out
• Toward Potomac
• Clear apparition

Eleanor Roosevelt

FDR’s wife:

• Felt presence
• In Lincoln Bedroom
• Never saw him
• Strong sensations
• Believed stories

Ronald Reagan

40th President:

• Dog Rex barked
• At empty room
• Wouldn’t enter
• Lincoln Bedroom
• Sensed something

Lyndon Johnson

36th President:

• Felt presence
• Spoke of Lincoln
• During difficult times
• Vietnam era
• Spiritual connection

Staff Reports

Through decades:

• Footsteps heard
• Knocking sounds
• Apparition sightings
• Multiple witnesses
• Consistent reports

The Lincoln Bedroom

Former office:

• Lincoln signed Emancipation
• His presence strongest
• Not actual bedroom
• His working space
• Center of activity

During Crisis

Pattern noted:

• More activity
• During national turmoil
• Wars, depression
• Lincoln appears
• Guardian spirit?

Physical Manifestations

Reports include:

• Footsteps upstairs
• Knocking patterns
• Full apparitions
• Cold spots
• Unexplained sounds

Skeptical View

Critics suggest:

• Power of suggestion
• Wishful thinking
• Old building sounds
• No proof
• Historical projection

Significance

Over 150 years of sightings by credible witnesses including world leaders, presidents, and first ladies.

Legacy

Lincoln’s ghost represents America’s most significant haunting—a president who perhaps cannot rest while the nation he saved continues to face challenges.