You begin with the grand yet somehow intimate Lincoln family mansion. I was surprised at how up close everything was. We enjoyed the knowledgeable guides and elegant decor. It was quite exciting to hear the player pipe organ. A peak out the second floor bedroom onto the floral gardens were just stunning. Also, there is a historic Lincoln exhibit on the 2nd floor with President Abe’s actual stovepipe hat. We appreciated the many intimate details such as family photos, the butler’s uniform and china.

The whole experience stirred up a desire in me to dig deeper into the life of Robert Todd Lincoln. He was the only one of Abraham Lincolns four sons to make it to adulthood. Edward died when he was 3 years old of tuberculosis. William died of typhoid fever in the White House when he was 13 years old. Thomas known as Tad died at 18 years of age of tuberculosis. Imagine, losing your dad to an assignation, and your three brothers.

Robert Todd Lincoln and his mother Mary Todd Lincoln were the only remaining members of the family and their relationship was strained. Robert felt his mothers behavior was erratic being in  such grief over the death of her husband and three sons. He committed her to a psychiatric hospital. After a few months, Mary Todd left to live with her sister. Their relationship never fully recovered.

Robert himself married Mary Harlan daughter of a senator in a semi arranged marriage by the parents (back in the hey day when all was good) and they had three children together. They had two daughters Mary and Jessica and a son named Abraham Lincoln ll who they nicknamed Jack. Jack loved hearing stories of his namesake and grandfather. After much practice, he learned to write the name Abraham Lincoln exactly like his grandfather. He collected rocks and studies all the civil war maps. At age 16, young Jack died of pleurisy. The family was devastated and the newspapers reported of the doctors blaming each other. The daughters married and Jessica had two children and Mary had one. Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith was the last remaining descendent to president Abraham Lincoln and he died in 1985 without any children. With his death, an American family so treasured in this country for nine generations came to an end.

The residents of Manchester, Vt now keep Hildene going and saved the personal property of this historic family home alive by a dedicated group of community members in 1978. How thankful we are to have fellow Americans that care and cherish this spectacular home filled with history and stories.

It’s worth a visit.