The White House Tunnel System

Work first began on the secret White House underground tunnel system back in early 1950 under the Truman administration. The White House was deteriorating and it was determined that massive reconstruction was required. President Truman relocated to the nearby Blair House for three years while the interior of the White House was completely rebuilt with concrete and steel beams. During that time, a tunnel was built connecting the West Wing and East Wing providing access to the bomb shelter.



In 1987, another secret tunnel was built during the Reagan Administration to protect the President in the event of a terrorist attack. This new tunnel allows the President to access a secret staircase outside the Oval Office by pressing on a wall panel to reveal and open a secret door. The passageway at the bottom of the stairs leads to a closet near the President's private elevator in the basement of the Residence.



There is also a known tunnel leading from the basement of the East Wing to the basement of the Treasury Building which was built by FDR as an air raid shelter. An underground passageway provides pedestrian access between the White House and the Old Executive Office Building next door. There are rumors of tunnels connecting the White House to the Capitol, Blair House, VP Residence, Camp David and the Pentagon, but these are unsubstantiated at this time.



