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
After the heartbreaking death of his son Willie, Abraham Lincoln and his family fled the gloom that hung over the White House, moving into a cottage at the Soldiers' Home, a residence for disabled veterans. President Lincoln lived for a quarter of his presidency at the Soldiers' Home and for nearly half of the critical year of 1862, connecting this "summer White House" to key wartime developments, the firing of McClellan, the evolution of Lincoln's "Father Abraham" image, the election of 1864, and the assassination conspiracy. Here Lincoln complained to his closet aides, recited poetry to his friends, reconnected with his wife and family, conducted secret meetings with his political enemies, and narrowly avoided assassination.
President Lincoln's Cottage is owned by the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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.
Get Connected
President Lincoln's Cottage Blog
“Life-Sized Cheese Carving of Abraham Lincoln”
From today’s Washington Post, “What could be more American than celebrating presidential history in cheese?”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/profile/life-sized-cheese-carving-of-abraham-lincoln,1157508.html#editorial-review
Restoring a Window with Black Tinted Glazing (Part II)
By Jeffrey Larry
As mentioned in a previous blog entry, the recent replacement of a diamond shaped window pane (Figure 1) from the Cottage’s north elevation raised the issue of whether to use traditional linseed oil putty or a modern putty when setting the glass. The pros and cons of both materials were presented but in order [...]
The Harmony between Preservation and Sustainability
By Shih-Chun Tseng
For historic sites, preservation is one of the most important aspects of good stewardship; now it’s our responsibility to show how preservation is sustainable, and how historic sites can be more green. An example is the 1905 building that serves as the Visitor Education Center for President Lincoln’s Cottage, which was certified LEED Gold [...]
Regional Events
Tech Tours,
07/05/09
Alexandria,
Virginia
Take a rare and detailed behind-the-scenes look at the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed house museum in the metropolitan Washington, DC area
Four Seasons of Oatlands Art Show Preview Party,
07/05/09
Leesburg,
Virginia
By invitation to Friends of Oatlands and art patrons.
Gilmore Camp,
07/06/09
Montpelier Station,
Virginia
Join rising 7th and 8th graders as they learn about the life of a newly emancipated family at the Gilmore Farm.
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