Newly released footage by Congressman Tim Moore showcases a historic, hidden tunnel beneath the U.S. Capitol, sparking renewed public fascination.
Tim Moore reveals hidden Capitol staircase with British invasion ties
A newly surfaced video reveals a secret tunnel under the US Capitol, hidden beneath the Lincoln Room’s floorboards for centuries.
Congressman Tim Moore (R-NC) shared the rare footage during a guided tour, posting the clip directly to his official X account.
In the video, Moore uncovers a wooden panel in the Lincoln Room, exposing what he describes as an old hidden passageway.
The Lincoln Room once served as the Capitol’s post office during Abraham Lincoln’s time and remains filled with historical significance.
Moore explained that the staircase had been sealed but still connects to the Capitol’s vast underground network of early passageways.
“Construction started in the 1700s, and there are all sorts of little hidden passageways” in the Capitol, Moore explained in a video on his X account. “As you saw, I just pulled this cover up, and you can see.
“You can see there’s a passageway. These were old stairs that used to be here but were closed off,” he said. “Believe it or not, my big self [has] actually gotten down and more importantly out of this hole.”
Secret Capitol passage linked to 1812 British invasion
Moore explained that the staircase may have played a role in the British attack on Washington during the War of 1812.
“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,” he said of the tunnel.
Though unconfirmed, the possibility adds historical intrigue to an already rare look inside the Capitol’s lesser-known architectural features.
The War of 1812 saw British forces burn the Capitol and White House during the infamous “Burning of Washington.”
Construction on the Capitol began in 1793, with President George Washington laying the cornerstone of the building that same year.
Tim Moore links tunnel to Lincoln and history
Moore said the Lincoln Room is one of his favorite stops when giving tours due to its presidential and architectural significance.
He noted that Lincoln would often read letters by the fireplace there, making the space rich in American political heritage.
As Moore lifted the cover, viewers could see remnants of a blocked-off staircase and markings from those who visited it before.
He joked that even his “big self” had managed to crawl into and safely exit the small tunnel without getting stuck.
The footage also revealed signatures left behind on the stonework—presumably from lawmakers, visitors, or past staff over the decades.
The discovery has reignited public interest in the Capitol’s hidden tunnels. Many of these underground secrets remain off-limits to the public.
Such footage serves as a reminder of the layers of American history buried within one of the country’s most iconic buildings.
Moore’s viral clip has been praised for making congressional history accessible to everyday citizens and students across the country.
While the tunnel may remain sealed, its story adds another fascinating layer to the enduring legend of the Capitol building.