Hildene facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hildene
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Hildene seen from the garden in 2006
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| Location | 1005 Hildene Rd. Manchester Center, Vermont |
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| Architect | Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| Website | www.hildene.org |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000095 |
| Added to NRHP | October 28, 1977 |
Hildene, also known as the Lincoln Family Home, is a beautiful old house in Manchester Center, Vermont. It was once the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife, Mary Harlan Lincoln. Robert was the only son of President Abraham Lincoln who lived to be an adult.
Contents
The Lincoln Family's Summer Home
Robert Todd Lincoln's Connection
Robert Todd Lincoln was the oldest son of Abraham Lincoln, a famous President of the United States. Robert was the only one of Abraham Lincoln's four sons to live into adulthood. He first visited Manchester Center, Vermont, in the summer of 1863. At that time, he was 20 years old. He came with his younger brother, Tad, and their mother, Mary Todd Lincoln. They stayed at a nearby hotel to escape the hot summer in Washington, D.C..
Hildene's History
The Lincoln family and their descendants lived at Hildene for many years. The last family member to live there was Mary Lincoln Beckwith. She was Robert and Mary's granddaughter. She passed away at Hildene in 1975. In 1978, a group called the Friends of Hildene bought the property. They are a non-profit organization. They started working to restore the house, its other buildings, and the beautiful gardens.
Exploring the Estate
The House and Gardens
The name "Hildene" comes from old English words. It means "hill" and "valley with a stream." The main house was finished in 1905. It was built in the Georgian Revival style. This style looks like grand homes from the 1700s. The house sits on a hill about 300 feet high. From there, you can see the Battenkill Valley.
The estate covers about 412 acres. Half of this land is in the valley. It includes open fields and wet areas. A special formal garden was planted in 1907. It looks like a stained-glass window from a church. Hedges form the "window" pattern. Inside, colorful flowers create the "stained glass" effect. This garden is famous for its collection of over 1,000 peonies. Peonies are large, beautiful flowers.
Farm and Train Car
In 2008, the Rowland Agricultural Center opened at Hildene Farm. It has a herd of Nubian goats. They also make cheese there. In the summer of 2011, a special train car arrived at Hildene. It was a restored 1903 wooden Pullman palace car named "Sunbeam." Robert Todd Lincoln was the president of the Pullman Company when this car was made.
Inside Hildene
Hildene is filled with furniture that belonged to the Lincoln family. You can also see items that belonged to Robert Todd Lincoln and his famous parents. In 1908, a large pipe organ was installed in the house. It cost $11,500 at the time. In 1980, the Friends of Hildene group worked to restore this amazing organ.
See also
