President Lincoln's Cottage
Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center
The Education Center, which is adjacent to the cottage, features fascinating exhibits and media presentations of Lincoln's life and legacy. Learn More
President Lincoln's Cottage, a National Trust Historic Site
Lincoln's Cottage provides visitors with an intimate, never-before-seen view of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and family life. Learn More
Faithfully Restored
A $15 million restoration (funded by the National Trust) has faithfully restored the cottage and landscape to its Civil War-era appearance. (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith) Learn More
Located on a picturesque hilltop in Washington, DC, President Lincoln's Cottage is the most significant historic site directly associated with Lincoln's presidency aside from the White House. During the Civil War, President Lincoln and his family resided here from June to November of 1862, 1863 and 1864. It was here that the President could take time to play with his son and read his favorite books, but he also used the cottage as a quiet setting for important meetings, visits from well-wishers, and solitary reflection. Though he considered the Soldiers’ Home a sanctuary, President Lincoln could not escape the civil war or the burdens of leadership. He made major decisions and developed the Emancipation Proclamation during the months spent at the Cottage.
Preservation History
In 2000, Lincoln's Cottage was named as one of the 11 Most Endangered Places in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In partnership with the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and thanks to generous public and private financial support, the National Trust led the efforts to restore this National Historic Landmark and develop innovative and award-winning programs to interpret Lincoln's presidency. The exterior restoration was completed in April 2005 and the Site opened to the public in February 2008.
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President Lincoln's Cottage Blog
Another Snowy Day at the Cottage
This winter has been unusually snowy for Washington, D.C., leading to numerous opportunities to capture lovely winter wonderland photographs of the Cottage.
Cultural Tourism DC Day at Whole Foods Market
Shop DC Whole Foods Market February 3 to Help Support Cultural Tourism DC
Get a taste of DC arts and culture while you grab a bite in the café or shop for groceries at local DC Whole Foods Market stores and help strengthen the future of Cultural Tourism DC. Whole Foods Market will donate five percent of [...]
Evening for Educators Hosted at President Lincoln’s Cottage
By Shira Gladstone
Over the last year and a half, several Civil War related historic sites in the DC area have formed the Civil War Washington Museum Consortium to provide quality professional development for area teachers. This collaboration, made up of President Lincoln’s Cottage, Ford’s Theatre Society, Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, and Frederick Douglass [...]
