US Congressman Reveals Secret Underground Passage Beneath US Capitol

Beneath the floors of the US Capitol lie hidden stairs and passages that date back to the original construction of this iconic building in the 18th century, as shown in a viral video posted by Republican Congressman Tim Moore from North Carolina. “As you can see, I just lifted this door, and you can see there’s a passage. These were old stairs that used to be here but have now been sealed,” said Moore. The Republican congressman presented the entrance to the tunnel from the Lincoln Room, which once served as the House Post Office during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, explaining it’s one of his favorite spots on tours he conducts. “Construction began at the end of the 18th century, and there are various small, hidden passageways within the Capitol,” Moore explained in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter). The secret tunnel leads outside the US Capitol building. During the early years of the Capitol’s operation, the House of Representatives met in the space adjacent to the Lincoln Room, known today as Statuary Hall, which now functions as a gallery of statues representing notable Americans. “We’re right outside what’s called Statuary Hall, which was once the actual House chamber… But this is just an example of the little hidden secrets of the Capitol,” said Moore. The Capitol building’s construction started in 1793 when President George Washington laid its cornerstone. The building was finally completed in 1826. According to Capitol lore, the staircase beneath the Lincoln Room was used by British soldiers during the War of 1812 to set fire to the historic building. The British attack caused fires at the US Capitol, the Washington Navy Yard, and the White House before storms extinguished the flames and reinforcements arrived to defend Washington against British forces.