Hildene
1005 Hildene Road
Manchester, Vermont 05254
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
Hildene exists to carry the values of Abraham Lincoln to future generations by educating and inspiring others to put those Values into Action.
Hildene venues and exhibits are designed to be self-guided. There are knowledgeable docents available to provide guests with an introduction as well as to answer questions during their visit.
School Programs: https://hildene.org/learning/school_programs
Hildene is an historic home built in 1905 by President Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln’s son, Robert, as a summer residence.
Hildene is formed from two old English words: “Hil” meaning “hill” and “dene” meaning “valley with stream.” Robert and his wife Mary gave their Vermont home this name because it is perched on a hill overlooking the Taconic Mountains to the west, the Green Mountains to the east, and the Battenkill river flowing through the great Battenkill Valley below.
The now 412 acre estate, with its Georgian revival mansion and 14 historic buildings, includes the home, formal garden and observatory; Welcome Center and The Museum Store in the historic carriage barn; 1903 Pullman car, Sunbeam; and Hildene Farm.
The farm includes a solar-powered goat dairy and cheese-making facility and, in the lower portion of the property—the dene–includes a teaching greenhouse, composting facility, animal barn, vegetable gardens, apple orchard, 600 foot floating wetland boardwalk and an 1832 schoolhouse still used for education programs.
The dene is also where Burr & Burton Academy high school students take courses on agriculture and the environment throughout the school year. The deeply immersive BBA-Hildene program embodies Hildene’s deep commitment to conservation, stewardship and sustainability and to its mission Values into Action.
Calendar of Events, Workshops Guided Walks: https://hildene.org/about/calendar
Hildene website: https://hildene.org
Image Credits: hildene.org unless otherwise noted
