Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home – Manchester, Vermont

Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home – Manchester, Vermont

You know about Abraham Lincoln and his ties to the state of Illinois but did you know that Robert Todd Lincoln, the only child of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln to survive to adulthood, built his Georgian Revival mansion in 1905 in the scenic village of Manchester?
Robert Todd Lincoln became Chairman of the Pullman Palace Car Company, the largest manufacturing corporation at the turn of the 20th century.  His family and his descendants lived in the home until 1975. 

The palatial estate has gardens, trails, woods and a farm all set on 412 preserved acres of Vermont landscape.  The farm uses rotational grazing for the animals where they feed on small sections of land and then are moved every two to three days to allow the grass to regenerate and produce high quality forage.

The formal gardens of the estate were designed in 1907 for Mary Harlan Lincoln by her daughter, Jessie.  It was designed to resemble a stained-glass Gothic cathedral window. In mid-June there are over 1,000 peony blossoms from the original plantings that still grow and fill the garden with color.

In the Meadows that sit 300 feet below the main house and gardens you will be able to attend many of the events held at Hildene.  The Meadows are also home to a number of farmhouses, outbuildings, and an original 1832 one-room school.

The estate also has a Cutting & Kitchen garden where staff would gather the food for the meals of the family.  The gardens have been restored and replanted.

Trails are available with interpretative signs along the Farm Loop Trail telling the story of the trees, shrubs, ferns and other natural phenomena of the area.

There are events held throughout the year to familiarize you with the life of the Lincolns’ and to provide you with a wonderful adventure.  Many programs and events take place on the estate each year including children’s camps, craft festivals, art shows, community concerts, farm fairs, polo matches, and family days. Hildene Holiday Evenings are the highlight of the winter season when the house is dressed in traditional festive decorations with flowers, greenery and candles throughout.

The 1,000-pipe organ, installed in the entrance hall at Hildene in 1908 as a gift from Robert Todd Lincoln to his wife, Mary, is believed to be the oldest residential pipe organ with a player attachment still in its original location and still in working order in the United States.  There are 242 rolls, most of which are in good condition. It is played each day.

The Carriage Barn at Hildene was once used to house the Lincoln family’s carriages and horses.  It now serves as the Welcome Center and administrative offices, and contains a theater and the Museum Store.  In the winter, the Carriage Barn becomes the check in point for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Tours: Your visit will include a brief video orientation in the Welcome Center, a self-guided tour of the Lincoln home, a demonstration of the 1,000-pipe Aeolian organ and access to the formal gardens. You’ll also want to visit the cutting and kitchen gardens, the observatory and the exhibits.  Guided Tours are offered at noon each day, by appointment at other times and on occasion when docents are available. You should allow approximately 2 to 3 hours.

Hours and Rates: Open Daily 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Begin at the Welcome Center
Tickets: $12.50/Adults – $5/Youth – Children under 6 & Members/Free

Grounds Pass:  $5/Adults – $3/Youth – Children under 6 & Members/Free
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas (December 24, 25, & 26) and Easter

Summer Season Weekends
Wagon Rides to the farm – Begin at the Welcome Center
$2 Adults – $1 Children – Call for times

Mid-December to Mid-March
Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing Weather Permitting
9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Location: 1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT 05254

Phone:800-578-1788 or 802-362-1788

Email: info@hildene.org