Nestled in between Vermont’s Green Mountains and the Taconic Range, sits a beautiful house, rich in historical significance. Hildene, the Lincoln family home, was built by Robert Lincoln, the President’s only child to survive to adulthood and his wife Mary.

What You Need To Know

  • Robert Lincoln, son of President Lincoln built this home in 1905. It remained in their family for 70 years

  • Home has exhibit featuring personal artifacts of President Lincoln

  • Hildene is the southern mist stop in Vermont’s African American Heritage Trail

“They built the house because they wanted to have an ancestral home. In fact, three generations of Lincoln’s lived in this home. So for 70 years, the Lincoln family lived here, which is the longest that they lived anywhere,” said Hildene Programming Director Stephanie Moffett-Hynds.

It was 1905 when the family spent their first summer in this 8,000 sq. ft. retreat.

It remained a generational vacation spot until 1975, when Robert’s granddaughter passed away. Soon after, “The Friends of Hildene” was formed and purchased the 412 acres of property. Today, it’s open to visitors year round.

“Almost all the furnishings inside are original. Most historic homes don’t have that kind of wealth of original artifacts,” said Hildene Docent Jesse Keel.

The home features an exhibit honoring President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address. There, you’ll find his top hat, one of only three known to exist, and the mirror that President Lincoln is believed to have last seen his image before he was assassinated.

“Robert Lincoln was a very careful guardian of his father’s legacy and a lot of that history was retained here,” said Hildene President Brian Keefe.

On the grounds, the beauty of Hildene is expansive. A formal garden, designed by Robert’s youngest daughter, blooms in the backyard.

“The best view of the garden is actually from Robert’s wife sitting room. And when you’re looking down atop the gardens you can kind of see they were designed to look like a stained glass window. With the flowers being the colored glass of the window and the hedges being that black leading,” said Keele.

Seated a short walk away in the woods, you’ll find a 1903 wooden Pullman Car. Hildene’s “Many Voices” exhibit is the Southern-most stop on Vermont’s African American Heritage Trail.

“We use that car to tell the story of the rise of the African Americans into the middle class through the eyes of the pullman porter, who were among the most important employees of the pullman railcar,” said Keefe.

Visitors can also explore 12 miles of secluded walking trails, a 4,6000 foot boardwalk in the Battenkill River Valley, and the property’s “Dene Farm.”

Between its history and its offering of Vermont’s stunning views, Hildene is an exceptional place for your next Trip on a Tankful. For more information, visit Hildene's website.