Overview

• Rep. Tim Moore posted a video on his congressional X account showcasing a hidden staircase and tunnel beneath the Capitol’s Lincoln Room.
• The Capitol’s construction began in 1793, with George Washington laying its cornerstone, and the original building was completed in 1826.
• The Lincoln Room, once part of the House chamber, is historically significant as a place where Abraham Lincoln read letters during his congressional tenure from 1847-1849.
• According to lore cited by Moore, British soldiers may have used the staircase during the War of 1812 to set fire to the Capitol during the 'Burning of Washington.'
• The discovery highlights the Capitol’s layered history and demonstrates how digital platforms are reshaping public engagement with national heritage.