Haunted Halls - Footsteps of History


Say Hello to the podcast, where history and mystery come together.

In this series, we're taking you on a journey through the haunted halls of federal buildings across the country, where the past continues to linger in unexpected ways. From mysterious footsteps echoing in empty corridors to spectral figures seen after hours, these stories remind us that history is more than what's written in textbooks—it's alive in the places we work and through the people who've come before us.

So, turn down the lights, get comfortable, and join us as we explore the haunted history of America's federal buildings.

Welcome to Haunted Halls. 

"This kinda thing happened all the time."

Washington, D.C., our nation's capital, has a long history that sometimes gets a little spookier than what the flurry of tourists come for. There are whispers of spooky happenings among the over 50 federal buildings GSA helps manage in the District of Columbia. Chairs rocking on porches late at night, apparitions wandering throughout while playing violin, banging on doors, or even doing their laundry, and basements with lots of strange doorways to nowhere. 

Are the whispers true? Is there another side to our nation's capital? Before you go trick or treating, join us as we tell you the tales of D.C.'s haunted federal buildings.

Our first story comes from an unassuming American colonial-style home that is part of the Lafayette Square Historic District. Known as the Cutts-Madison House, the home serves as conference, reception, and office space for the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. With a pale yellow facade and green shutters, the building is full of life with the daily happenings of court activity. But it seems one former resident still joins the living today. 

First Lady Dolley Madison joins the many active spirits around Lafayette Square checking in on the home constructed in 1822 by her brother-in-law Richard Cutts. When her husband, President James Madison, died in 1836, Dolley took up residence  in the house until her passing in 1849. From what we hear, maybe she decided to stay a little longer.

"I swear at times, you can see her rocking and watching over the city."

Dolley is known to be a hospitable figure roaming the halls of the first floor, which have been carefully restored with period-accurate furnishings. As court staff come and go, Dolley sits in a rocker on the front porch, watching the hustle and bustle of D.C. 

Just a few blocks over from that front porch sits GSA’s main office. Constructed in 1917 to serve as the headquarters for the Department of Interior, this historic building pioneered a new model of utilitarian government office buildings. Neither a factory nor a monumental office, the building served as a model for many government office buildings in the early 20th century and is considered by many to be the first truly modern office. The building was listed on the U.S. Register of National Historic Places in 1986 and has been home to GSA since the agency's inception in 1949.

"The basement of 1800F is a barely lit maze, with locked gates, doors that lead no where, and I'm positive I've seen ghosts."

Like many buildings in D.C., this one features cubicles, winding hallways, and a dark basement. What sets it apart, isn't its flexible workspaces or historic corridors, but something a little more fun. One former intern described an experience that shows maybe the building has a practical joker roaming its halls.

"I remember leaving some paperwork on my desk before lunch, but when I came back it was gone. After doing some searching, I found it across the hall, in a different work area. This kinda thing happened all the time."

Maybe the intern is just forgetful, or perhaps the spirits roaming the building wanted to have a little fun. If you ask me, I'm voting for fun. Who didn't like to play hide and seek as a kid?

These two stories are just a glimpse into a city full of history. With so many historic federal buildings, I know we're just scratching the surface of a paranormal gold mine.

Thanks for joining us for the latest edition of Haunted Halls. If you liked what you heard and have your own spooky stories to share, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at gsadoesthat@gsa.gov and we might feature your story in our next edition. To learn more about the podcast, visit our website at gsa.gov/podcast.

All the stories in this series come from real people who lived them. As with any ghost story, the tales grow larger and more extravagant with each retelling. We aim to highlight historic properties in the federal portfolio and document some of the lore surrounding them.

We hope you enjoyed, and we'll spook you next time.