The following are just a few spirited samples, but to find more, visit our links page.

National Building Museum (401 F St., NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-272-2448) (website: www.nbm.org)

The magnificent edifice where Civil War veterans once came to collect their pensions is known to be visited by a soldier on horseback – possibly Montgomery Meigs, the building’s designer. Swirling faces are also sometimes seen at the top of the glorious marble columns in the building’s great hall.

The Octagon Museum (1799 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006, 202-638-3221) (website: www.archfoundation.org)

Former First Lady Dolley Madison is said to occasionally visit the Octagon. Another ghost story stems from the house’s original owner, John Tayloe, whose two daughters reputedly haunt the house. Tayloe disapproved of one of his daughter’s suitors, and she reacted by jumping to her death from a large, winding staircase. Visitors claim to see the shadow of her candle rising against the wall and hear her scream.

Stephen Decatur House (748 Jackson Place NW (on Lafayette Square), Washington, DC 20006, 202-842-0920) (website: www.decaturhouse.org)

Stephen Decatur was a celebrated Naval captain who died prematurely in a duel. It’s said that the captain is still spotted around the house that was built for him in 1818. He’s frequently seen in a second story window, contemplating the challenge, or slipping out the back door to meet his fate. His wife, Susan, is also heard crying.

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