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Hildene

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New England Road Trip 2024➤

My friend Patty and I hit the road again in October 2024. Our route took us through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and upstate New York. Along the way we hit several National Park Service Units and historic sites. On day two, we spent the morning touring Lincoln’s Hildene in Vermont.

The Lincoln Family Home➤

Nestled in the hills of Manchester, Vermont, Hildene was the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln. He was the only surviving son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. Robert built the estate in 1905 as both a family retreat and a place to connect with Vermont’s mountains and valleys. The mansion, its gardens, working farm, and preserved railcar reveal Robert’s story and the legacy he carried as the son of a president. Today, a nonprofit organization cares for Hildene. In addition, it works to preserve the values of stewardship, education, and civic responsibility that Robert upheld.

At the heart of the estate stands the Georgian Revival mansion, completed in 1905. Robert Lincoln created a home where his family could escape the bustle of city life. The house reflects his success as a lawyer and businessman. At the same time, it offers glimpses into the family’s private world.

Touring the Mansion➤

We joined the first tour of the day, and a docent welcomed us inside. The broad hallways and elegant rooms still show the balance of formality and comfort Robert wanted for his retreat. As we moved from room to room, our guide highlighted details that revealed personal stories.

For example, one of the first objects we noticed was Robert Lincoln’s Harvard yearbook from the class of 1864. At that time, the faculty included Oliver Wendell Holmes and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In addition, a small medicine bottle remained on a bedroom night table. This item served as a quiet reminder of daily life in the house.

Downstairs in the main parlor, the docent pointed out the self-playing pipe organ, purchased in 1908. Recently restored, it filled the mansion with music as we toured. The sound carried up the staircase and echoed through the upper floors. Moreover, the cabinets on the landings concealed the organ’s thousand pipes, which directed the music throughout the house.

Finally, the most striking object we saw was a bronze casting of Abraham Lincoln’s face. Sculptor Leonard Volk created the original life mask in 1860, just before Lincoln received the Republican presidential nomination. The mask captures fine details, from the furrows in his brow to the line of his jaw.

We recognized the casting because we had seen a plaster version the day before at Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. That prior visit gave context to the artifact at Hildene. Here, it was displayed among shelves of books about Lincoln’s life and legacy. Together, these objects underscored how Abraham Lincoln’s presence remained part of Robert’s home.

New England Posts➤

Location: 1005 Hildene Rd, Manchester Center, Vermont
Designation: National Register of Historic Places
Date designated/established: October 28, 1977
Date of my visit: October 4, 2024

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