Robert Todd Lincoln's Hildene

In 1902 Robert Todd Lincoln, eldest son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, purchased several hundred acres of land in Manchester, Vermont. On this property he built a country mansion called Hildene for use as a summer home. (Photograph by the Friends of Hildene, Inc., a Vermont not-for-profit corporation. Guided tours of Hildene take place from Mid-May through October). The estate included gardens, lawns, and woodlands. When staying at Hildene Robert especially enjoyed golf and amateur astronomy. In 1911 Robert sold his home in Chicago and bought a three story colonial brick mansion in Washington, D.C. From this time on it was Robert's custom to go to Hildene in the spring and return to Washington in the fall. The Lincolns made the trip back and forth in their private Pullman car. Hildene remained in the Lincoln family until 1975.

The 24-room Georgian revival mansion has been preserved intact with original furnishings and personal family possessions. The guided tour includes the first and second floors of the mansion and concludes in the magnificent formal gardens. The gardens have been restored to their original beauty with many of the original plantings remaining.

Cross-country skiing commences in mid-December. Candlelight tours are a highlight of the Christmas season at Hildene and are conducted annually in late December.

Source:  Friends of Hildene Inc., a Vermont not-for-profit corporation.