As a young boy, Richard Todd Lincoln accompanied his mother and escaped nation’s capitol in 1863 and 1864 during the Civil War to summer in scenic Manchester, Vermont. In fact, the entire Lincoln family made reservations to return in the summer of 1865, but Abraham’s April assassination changed those plans.
But impressed from an early age, the young Richard Todd apparently always eyed a return.
As the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to reach adulthood, he established himself as a successful businessman and became president of the largest manufacturing company of his time, the Pullman Company. Upon this wealth and success, he decided to return to the village of Manchester and built his Georgian Revival mansion in 1905 where he lived until his death in 1926.
Hildene Today
The non-profit "Friends of Hildene" purchased the house and 412 acres in 1978 after the last Lincoln descendant to live in the home passed on. The non-profit started to repair the site and kept a simple mission in mind “to advance the Lincoln legacy through education, commitment to community and active stewardship of the family’s home and land.
Today the site continues to grow. A full calendar of events across all seasons can be found with the busiest times from late May to late October as visitors enjoy the spring flowers, vibrant green mountain views and the seasonal autumn colors of fall foliage.
And coming soon will be a chance to witness goat cheese creation. That alone may be something to return to the site and taste. But the main attraction will still be the house and visitors can watch a 6-minute film that provides the history of the Lincoln lineage that called the house their home.
The Working Organ and the Stovepipe Hat
All items in the house remain original. From the books on the shelves to the telephone on the wall are original. All the beds, furniture, table settings, and even the type writer. All original.
One item, the Organ, is believed to be the oldest working residential pipe organ in its original location in the United States. Over 100 years old, the Organ still delights visitors as one (or more) of the 242 rolls can be played for guests upon request.
After touring the house all visitors make their way up the stairs to see the exhibit room. Dedicated to all the historical artifacts, guests can walk through history and take note of letters written by Abe, newspapers and photographs from the final days of the Civil War, and the most prized possession his Stovepipe Hat. This hat, the only to keep its black color is one of only three left. The other two are at the Smithsonian and at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, IL.
Hildene accomplishes its mission as the house, the French style gardens, and active calendar of events serve to advance the Lincoln legacy and provide a commitment to the community. A commitment that Lincoln, the president, served to preserve.
But impressed from an early age, the young Richard Todd apparently always eyed a return.
As the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to reach adulthood, he established himself as a successful businessman and became president of the largest manufacturing company of his time, the Pullman Company. Upon this wealth and success, he decided to return to the village of Manchester and built his Georgian Revival mansion in 1905 where he lived until his death in 1926.
Hildene Today
The non-profit "Friends of Hildene" purchased the house and 412 acres in 1978 after the last Lincoln descendant to live in the home passed on. The non-profit started to repair the site and kept a simple mission in mind “to advance the Lincoln legacy through education, commitment to community and active stewardship of the family’s home and land.
Today the site continues to grow. A full calendar of events across all seasons can be found with the busiest times from late May to late October as visitors enjoy the spring flowers, vibrant green mountain views and the seasonal autumn colors of fall foliage.
And coming soon will be a chance to witness goat cheese creation. That alone may be something to return to the site and taste. But the main attraction will still be the house and visitors can watch a 6-minute film that provides the history of the Lincoln lineage that called the house their home.
The Working Organ and the Stovepipe Hat
All items in the house remain original. From the books on the shelves to the telephone on the wall are original. All the beds, furniture, table settings, and even the type writer. All original.
One item, the Organ, is believed to be the oldest working residential pipe organ in its original location in the United States. Over 100 years old, the Organ still delights visitors as one (or more) of the 242 rolls can be played for guests upon request.
After touring the house all visitors make their way up the stairs to see the exhibit room. Dedicated to all the historical artifacts, guests can walk through history and take note of letters written by Abe, newspapers and photographs from the final days of the Civil War, and the most prized possession his Stovepipe Hat. This hat, the only to keep its black color is one of only three left. The other two are at the Smithsonian and at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, IL.
Hildene accomplishes its mission as the house, the French style gardens, and active calendar of events serve to advance the Lincoln legacy and provide a commitment to the community. A commitment that Lincoln, the president, served to preserve.
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