Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home- Welcome Center — Attraction in Manchester

Hildene was the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln. The Georgian Revival style home was completed in 1905. Robert Todd Lincoln lived in the house for many years, and then his children owned the house until the 1970’s. Today, the home is well preserved with over 95% of the original furnishings. The interior of the home is unique and the surrounding gardens make this place one of a kind. On top of that there is a restored Pullman Palace train car that you can walk in. Upon entering the estate you should stop at the visitor center, which is the old carriage barn for the estate. Here you will find a well stocked gift shop. After that you can tour the mansion or walk the grounds. The mansion’s 24 different rooms are beautiful and the estate does a good job showing what life was like not only for Lincoln, but for the servants who worked there. Some of the best rooms in the house include the dining room, parlor, and library. There is a one of a kind fully restored pipe organ that you will not see anywhere else. If you go upstairs they have a room devoted to President Abraham Lincoln. Here you can see his famous stovepipe top hat. There is also a nice room dedicated the life of Robert Todd Lincoln’s daughter Peggy After leaving the mansion, tour the gardens if you’re in the right season. The best time to see the gardens is early June. The Pullman train car is also a must see here. Robert Todd Lincoln was president of the Pullman Company, and that is why the train car is here. The train car was easily the best way to travel in luxury at the turn of the 20th century. You will also be impressed by the surrounding hills and creek as you walk around the 412-acre estate. It is best to purchase tickets at the visitor center. The estate is open year round. The guides here are terrific and can answer any questions about the estate. If you’re in the Manchester, Vermont area the estate...

Abraham Lincoln himself may be one of America's most wonderful public servants, but Hildene expands or understanding of his family beyond the framework of the presidency. Although you'll be enthralled with Hildene's exceptional supplements to the Lincoln iconography (e g. Presentation of one of just three existing "stovetop" hats of his, and most likely the mirror wherein he last saw his reflection), there's so much more. Here's just trip amazing things. First, a study of his great granddaughter Mary Lincoln Beckwith. Her humility, curiosity, and intellect deserve more attention regardless of her lineage. You can give deeply into them all as you walk through her rooms and view her personal effects on the second floor. Second, don't, don't DON'T, miss the Pullman Train! Robert and spouse Mary developed an incredible industry in the "Lear Jets" of the time: luxury train cars. The $2 MM restoration is sounding, but what's more compelling is the narrative of the Pullman Porters. These Black men, usually recently Fred from enslavement, we're skilled in discretion, anticipating the needs of, and serving the richest people in the world. But that's not the most compelling part of the tour. Pullman Porters were akin to the national news networks for the Black communities they touched upon in their work. The rails beneath the luxury cars were like Internet networks carrying news (not gossip, but Black newspapers, speeches, and the pulses of far flung communities) all over the place. Maybe Robert Lincoln and George Pullman had no idea of this supplemental benefit of hiring Black men as rail valets for the wealthy, but this practice helped launch careers and communities in places far from the stops these luxury rail cars made. Kudos to the Hildene staff and administrators for giving proper introduction to this aspect of our country's history. It could have been overlooked, but it wasn't. Thank...

We visited Hildene this past Memorial Day (2023). We were aware that it had been the summer home of R T Lincoln. But what we discovered was much, much more! Seldom have I visited a place that inspired and informed me as I was at Hildene. The scope and quality of the subject matter and actual items presented and the information provided about them was impressive. What is equally notable is their staff! Without exception I found the docents at the Home, the Visitor Center staff, Farm and Goat Dairy staff and Tram drivers to be personable, knowledgable and generous with their time! Additionally, each person in our group commented in a positive way about how much they enjoyed the way they were treated as visitors. Each of the brief orientations given at the Home, the Pullman Car, and the Goat Dairy, were just enough to help us understand where we were, what we would see, and how this part of the property fit into the site's mission. This, followed by an invitation to wander freely through each venue, contributed significantly to our enjoyment. Among the site's other most memorable qualities are its geographic location and natural setting, the amenities provided for visitors, the opportunity to interact with the farm animals, and the access to its walking trails. If you are considering visiting Hildene my advice is this: take a friend, pack a lunch, plan to go when it may be less crowded, allow yourself time to wander and linger, and wear comfortable walking shoes. I'm confident you'll have a...