A recent viral clip shared by an American representative showcases a secret tunnel linked to the war of 1812, which was notorious for being attacked by British soldiers.
Rep. Tim Moore (R-NC) revealed the tunnel’s entrance located in Lincoln’s room, mentioning how it’s one of his favorite spots to highlight during tours. This was the residence of the post office when Lincoln served as President during the Civil War.
“Construction started back in the 1700s, and there are all sorts of little hidden corridors,” Moore noted in his video on X. “As you can see, I lifted this cover, and here’s what’s inside.”
“You can check out the passageways. These were old stairs that had been closed off,” he added. “Surprisingly, even my larger frame managed to get down there, and important to note, I really came out of this hole.”
In a tweet, he encouraged followers to explore one of the Capitol’s hidden gems. “The Lincoln room is one of my go-to spots for visitors. When President Lincoln worked from here, he would sit by the fireplace reading letters, but the most intriguing part of the room is…”
The tunnel, surprising as it may be, leads outside the US Capitol. Originally, when the Capitol was first established, the House of Representatives met in a gallery adjacent to Lincoln’s room, filled with iconic American statues.
“I’ve heard, though I can’t really verify it, that this was possibly used by British soldiers during their invasion of the Capitol in 1814,” he remarked about the tunnel.
The Capitol’s construction began in 1793, with President George Washington laying its cornerstone that same year.
During the “burning of Washington” in the war of 1812, British troops set the US Capitol ablaze and invaded the White House, primarily over maritime rights and other tensions. The war wrapped up in 1815.
By 1826, the Capitol was finally completed.
Moore emphasized that Lincoln’s room remains a favorite part of the legislative building that he particularly enjoys showcasing, notably pointing out that Lincoln would read his letters there.
Video from Lincoln’s room revealed names scrawled by lawmakers and others who likely aimed to commemorate this historic pathway.
