Video Tour: Congressman Explores Secret Capitol Tunnel from Lincoln Era

North Carolina Representative Tim Moore recently shared a fascinating video showing a hidden tunnel underneath the US Capitol. The tunnel begins from the Lincoln Room, a part of the Capitol that once served as the House’s post office during Abraham Lincoln’s time, according to The New York Post.

Moore posted the video on social media platform X, inviting viewers with the message, “Come with me to see one of the hidden secrets of the Capitol!”

Historic Connection to Abraham Lincoln

Moore explained that the Lincoln Room holds special meaning for him. “The Lincoln Room is one of my favourite spots to bring visitors — when President Lincoln was serving in the House, he sat by the fireplace in this room to read his letters, but the most interesting part of the room is underneath the floorboards,” he said.

In the video, Moore lifted part of the floor to reveal a hidden passage. He pointed to what looked like an old staircase that had been sealed. “You can see there’s a passageway. These were old stairs that used to be here but were closed off,” he said. He humorously added, “Believe it or not, my big self [has] actually gotten down and more importantly, out of this hole.”

Come with me to see one of the hidden secrets of the Capitol!

The Lincoln Room is one of my favorite spots to bring visitors — when President Lincoln was serving in the House, he sat by the fireplace in this room to read his letters, but the most interesting part of the room is… pic.twitter.com/hp36jfQrk4

— Congressman Tim Moore (@RepTimMooreNC) May 9, 2025

Dating Back to the 1700s

The Congressman mentioned that the secret structure dates back to the 1700s. He said the US Capitol still has many such hidden paths and features. Discussing the tunnel’s origin, he noted, “I’m told, and I can’t verify this… it’s one of the staircases British soldiers used when they breached the Capitol during… 1814 when they actually attacked Washington.”

A Passage Marked with Names

Inside the secret staircase, the video shows several signatures etched into the walls—likely left by past legislators and other visitors wanting to mark their presence in this historic space.

Moore also revealed that this tunnel actually leads outside the Capitol. During the building’s early years, the House of Representatives held its sessions in Statuary Hall, which sits next to the Lincoln Room. Today, Statuary Hall is a gallery filled with statues of important American figures.

A Building with a Storied Past

The Capitol has seen a lot of history. President George Washington laid its foundation stone in 1793. However, it wasn’t completed until 1826 due to several interruptions, including being set on fire by British troops during the War of 1812 in 1814.