The White House — an overview of America's most haunted residence

The White House in Washington, D.C., has been the official residence of every American president since John Adams in 1800. Over more than 220 years of continuous occupation, the building has accumulated one of the most extensive bodies of ghost lore of any structure in the United States. At least a dozen distinct spirits have been reported by presidents, first ladies, staff, and guests. The most famous is Abraham Lincoln, but other reported ghosts include Abigail Adams, who has been seen hanging laundry in the East Room, Andrew Jackson, whose ghost is heard laughing and cursing in the Rose Room, and Dolley Madison, whose spirit reportedly appeared to gardeners who tried to dig up her beloved rose garden. Staff have reported hearing the voice of David Burns, who originally owned the land, echoing through the halls. The White House's second and third floors, where the residential quarters are located, are considered the most active areas. Cold spots, flickering lights, and the sensation of being watched have been reported by multiple administrations. The building's immense historical weight — every major crisis in American history has been managed from within its walls — has led some to speculate that the concentration of intense emotion over two centuries has left a permanent supernatural imprint.