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Monday 10am - 4:30pm Thursday 10am - 4:30pm Friday 10am - 4:30pm Saturday 10am - 4:30pm Sunday 10am - 4:30pm

Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home

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United States
Manchester, VT
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home

1905 Georgian Revival home built by Robert Lincoln.
412-acre estate with gardens, working farms, hiking trails & restored 1903 Pullman railcar.
(747)

Welcome Center & The Museum Store. Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home is located in the quintessential Vermont village of Manchester. Robert Lincoln, the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood, built his ancestral home in 1905. It was only occupied by the Lincoln family until 1975. Hildene’s 412 acres include the historic home, a goat dairy, restored Pullman car, a worki

ng farm and 12 miles of walking trails; a formidable landscape to put Hildene’s mission, Values into Action, into practice. The formal garden boasts a thousand peony blooms, many from the original plants which date back to 1908. The Rowland Agricultural Center at Hildene Farm houses our cheese making facility and is home to a herd of Nubian goats, whose milk is used to produce our goat cheese. 2011 marked the arrival of the 1903 Pullman Palace car, Sunbeam. It is a beautiful example of a wooden Pullman car, but more importantly, we use Sunbeam to tell the paradoxical story “Many Voices,” those of the Company, High Society, African American Pullman porters and us; our guests and our staff. We also offer excellent educational opportunities for children. From our school programs to summer camps, our staff engages youngsters in subjects including agriculture, natural science and history. For more information on Hildene please contact us, we would love you hear from you. Our phone number is 800.578.1788 or you can email us at [email protected].

06/13/2026

Celebrate Father’s Day at Hildene Farm in the dene with a fun-filled day on the farm!

Sunday, June 21st

Join us for a special Father’s Day Storytime from 11:00am- 12:00pm featuring tractors, jumbo building blocks, a corn sandbox, and Peaches’ Mud Kitchen for hands-on play and exploration. Hildene’s tractors and gators will be nearby for all the future farmers to check out.

Stay for the afternoon and enjoy complimentary wagon rides through the dene from 12:00am- 4:00pm. Pack a picnic, relax on the farm, and make memories together with family and friends.

Perfect for little farmers, tractor lovers, and dads who enjoy a day outdoors!

This program is free with admission.
 

06/12/2026

On a glorious June evening, surrounded by peonies in full bloom and with the rain graciously holding off, we welcomed donors and members to Hildene’s annual Donor Appreciation Garden Party.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of four new members of Hildene’s Legacy Society, including C.J. King, author of Four Marys and a Jessie—a beloved book that has deepened our understanding of the remarkable women of the Lincoln family and enriched the experience of so many who visit Hildene.

As one guest shared, “It was a beautiful evening last night! What a lovely way to start summer.”

Thank you to all who help ensure that Hildene’s stories, collections, and mission continue to inspire future generations.  

06/10/2026

“With so many beautiful items at Hildene’s The Museum Store, choosing what to feature is always a delight. Today, I created a garden party vignette showcasing our bespoke peony-inspired linens, artisan tableware, and thoughtful accessories from talented local makers.”

Pattie Haubner | Volunteer

06/09/2026

The Lasting Allure of the Formal Garden

For nearly 120 years, the garden has meant many things to many people. From Robert and Mary Lincolns’ tea parties on the terrace, to Peggy Beckwith’s strolls along its pathways with her dogs (and sheep!), to the present when people come from all over the world to marvel at both the flowers and the vista, we know this place has a certain magnetism. It continues to draw people in, inviting them to slow down and enjoy its beauty, fragrance, birdsong and fresh air. Admirers explore the variety of plantings, children skip after butterflies, couples make vows at the overlook, and still others sit in quiet reflection. I was most fortunate to come across the following poem by one such garden visitor, distinguished poet Wally Swist, and, with his permission, am honored to share it with you just in time for peony season.

- Stephanie Moffett-Hynds, Programming Director

Wally Swist is an award-winning poet, essayist, translator, and memoirist whose work is deeply rooted in nature, spirituality, and attentive observation. With dozens of books, chapbooks, and anthology appearances to his name, he is recognized for a prolific body of work that spans poetry, nonfiction, translation, and literary scholarship.

“Hildene” appeared in his book Aperture (American Fork, UT: Kelsay Books, 2025), as well as in a publication by Amethyst Press (U.K., 2024), Thin Place and Sacred Spaces: A Poetry Anthology. For more information about Mr. Swist: https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/wally_swist

06/08/2026

Edible Plant Trail Walk & Talk, with Ann

Join Ann Ogden Hausslein on a tour of the Edible Plant Trail at Hildene on Thursday, June 11, from 2 -3PM. A collaborative effort between Hildene and Burr and Burton Academy through their Farm and Food Studies Program, the trail has been tended over the course of five years (incorporating BBA Ethnobotany Classes, BBA-Hildene Summer Farm Crews, Hildene Youth Corp, Bennington College interns, Smokey House Center Forest farming plant-outs, Earth Matters, and wild food expert Russ Cohen.). Discover seasonal edible foods, ask questions, and try something new!

This program is free with admission. Check in at the Welcome Center and take the tram (or enjoy a 25-minute walk on wooded trails) to the greenhouse in the dene.

06/07/2026

A Day of Artful Discovery at Hildene
Tuesday, June 16, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

Join Anharad Llewelyn A Day of Artful Discovery at Hildene to explore the Lincoln family’s beautiful property through the artist’s eyes. Students will begin the day learning visual art journaling tips and tricks, before going out to capture the subtle textures, values, and light that define the varied landscape. From colorful flowers in the gardens to frolicking animals on the farm, students will have plenty to take in as they acquire new techniques (including drawing/painting/collage) for seeing nature and making art inspired by the landscape.

Space is limited and registration is required: $70 for members; $80 for nonmembers, which includes a visual art journal. All other materials will be provided.

Register at hildene.org by Sunday, June 14th. This program does not require admission. (Rain date: Wednesday, June 17)

06/06/2026

“Photography is not merely about recording what lies before us, but about seeing the majesty others may pass by.”

That lesson, taught to me by my mentor, Ansel Adams while photographing the California landscape, has guided my work ever since. When I discovered Hildene as a docent, I was drawn to the elegant Georgian home, its exquisite gardens, and vast landscape. In this workshop, I will share not simply how to photograph Hildene, but how to truly see it—finding meaning in the play of light, shadow, and detail that continually transforms this remarkable place.

Join me June 12th at 8 am at Hildene for that journey.
- Christopher Dant

Early Light, Stronger Images: Photography Workshop at Hildene
Register by Wednesday, June 10; $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
This program does not include admission. Visit hildene.org to register.

06/05/2026

Juneteeth with Harps at Hildene

Join us at Hildene in the Formal Garden on June 19th from 5-6pm for a delightful evening of music performed by The Dorset Harp Colony. Student harpists will perform a repertoire of solo and ensemble pieces. The concert will conclude with "Lift Every Voice and Sing" to celebrate the observance of Juneteenth. All welcome to attend, free to the public.

The Dorset Harp Colony is a premier summer program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of harpists through intensive study, mentorship, and performance. Founded in 2024 by acclaimed harpist and educator Alix Raspé Gray, the Colony brings together talented students in a supportive, inspiring environment that emphasizes artistry, individuality, and career sustainability. With a focus on both musical excellence, mindfulness and real-world skills, participants leave empowered, confident, and prepared for a lifelong journey in music.

06/03/2026

“I’m pretty protective of the couple of pieces of Peggy’s antique equipment we have, especially her old John Deere crawler. Back in 2017, I dragged it out of the bushes where it had been sitting for about 16 years. I spent a considerable amount of time getting it running and functional again. Travis had a job of smoothing over where an old Peony bed was, and he talked me into letting him use the crawler. It’s the first time in about 25 years it has done any work.”

Bob Waibel | Equipment Manager & Buyer

06/02/2026

Butterfly Walkabout

Love butterflies? Join butterfly enthusiast Terri Armata on a walkabout at Hildene to look for Canadian Tiger Swallowtails, Hobomoks and Peck’s Skippers. Learn how to use eButterfly to identify butterflies and to enter observations and checklists. Terri has watched, photographed and surveyed areas for butterflies for 22 years. A contributor to the first Vermont Butterfly Atlas, she is on the steering committee for the ongoing Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas.

Saturday, June 6th (Rain date: June 7th)
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Free with admission. Meet in Hildene’s Welcome Center. Contact Stephanie or call 802-367-7960.

Address

PO Box 377, 1005 Hildene Road
Manchester, VT
05254

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4:30pm
Thursday	10am - 4:30pm
Friday	10am - 4:30pm
Saturday	10am - 4:30pm
Sunday	10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18005781788

Website

http://www.hildene.org/

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