As reporters on deadlines run up the East Grand Staircase to the House of Representatives chamber, they take the same stairs where Congressman William Preston Taulbee was fatally shot by a reporter in 1890. Ghost enthusiasts claim the Congressman’s ghost now takes revenge on Capitol Hill reporters.
Ghost City Tour guide Richard Livingston enjoys telling his groups this story when they stop at Capitol Hill.
“I always love that story because there is a little bit of a dark side to it, and then there is something that is a little bit of a chuckle," Livingston said. "The U.S. Capitol is reportedly one of the most haunted buildings in the United States.”
Ghost City Tours run tours across the country in 25 locations, with over 600,000 guests per year. Depending on the tour selected, Ghost City Tour guides will lead a group through historical landmarks while telling stories about the paranormal.
Livingston, a D.C. native, decided to start leading tours to show tourists why he loves his city.
“[It’s] a combination of enjoying the performance aspect of it, being able to get out in the evenings, exercising and showing off my hometown,” Livingston said.
He primarily participates in two tours — an adults only tour and a children’s tour, the latter of which he continues to find increased amusement about ghosts.
“They’re very excited about the idea of there possibly being ghosts, and when you’re leading them around, sometimes you will become their superhero,” Livingston said. “They are right there on your heels, and they want to tell you about every spooky experience they’ve ever had, every ghost they’ve witnessed, a pet of theirs that passed away but they can still feel them in the house.”
Ghost City Tours operates from March until late November. Livingston is about to finish his second year as a guide.
“I work during the days, and this is something I do for funsies, it’s a great joy,” Livingston said.
Sonia Veiga, a guide for Tours By Foot’s Ghosts of Georgetown & Exorcist Steps Haunted Walking Tour, has lived in D.C. for a year and a half and has used the tour to learn more about the city.
“I would get interested in one of the stories and dig in further and learn more about it,” Veiga said.
In one of her tours, Veiga met a cast member from The Exorcist who filmed in Georgetown. She’s also encountered tourists from around the world, like Iceland and Australia.
“Whether you believe in these things or not, a lot of people have had experiences they cannot explain, and there has been some really haunting stories that folks have told me on the tour,” Veiga said.
This article was edited by Gabrielle McNamee, Abigail Hatting and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Emma Brown, Avery Grossman, Audrey Smith, Ariana Kavoossi and Ava Stuzin.
