Back in June of 2022, my mother, daughter, and I, visited Hildene in Manchester, VT. We went there to tour what was once the former home and estate of Robert Todd Lincoln (The son of President Abraham Lincoln) and Robert Todd’s wife, Mary Lincoln. They purchased the 392-acre property in 1902, but didn’t move there until June of 1905 (which has now expanded to 412 acres) and named it Hildene as a mashup of “Hil” for hill, and “dene,” meaning valley with stream (much of the information in this blog comes from the Hildene website).
The property is beautiful and well-maintained, complete with many buildings, including the 24-room mansion, a farm, apiary, carriage barn, large garden, a defunct observatory with a telescope from 1909, museum store, and 12 miles of trails. My father volunteered there as a tour guide for several years in his semi-retired years and even has an engraved stone there on one of the walkways!
This is a wonderful place to visit, not just for the history and exhilaration of getting a glimpse into the life of the son of the most popular president ever right here in Vermont, but also go for the beautiful views, fall wagon rides, garden workshop, the Autumn Harvest Festival, trails, and bird walks.
Enjoy your visit!
