Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home- Welcome Center

Hildene was the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln. The Georgian Revival style home was completed in 1905. Robert Todd Lincoln lived in the house for many years, and then his children owned the house until the 1970’s. Today, the home is well preserved with over 95% of the original furnishings. The interior of the home is unique and the surrounding gardens make this place one of a kind. On top of that there is a restored Pullman Palace train car that you can walk in. Upon entering the estate you should stop at the visitor center, which is the old carriage barn for the estate. Here you will find a well stocked gift shop. After that you can tour the mansion or walk the grounds. The mansion’s 24 different rooms are beautiful and the estate does a good job showing what life was like not only for Lincoln, but for the servants who worked there. Some of the best rooms in the house include the dining room, parlor, and library. There is a one of a kind fully restored pipe organ that you will not see anywhere else. If you go upstairs they have a room devoted to President Abraham Lincoln. Here you can see his famous stovepipe top hat. There is also a nice room dedicated the life of Robert Todd Lincoln’s daughter Peggy After leaving the mansion, tour the gardens if you’re in the right season. The best time to see the gardens is early June. The Pullman train car is also a must see here. Robert Todd Lincoln was president of the Pullman Company, and that is why the train car is here. The train car was easily the best way to travel in luxury at the turn of the 20th century. You will also be impressed by the surrounding hills and creek as you walk around the 412-acre estate. It is best to purchase tickets at the visitor center. The estate is open year round. The guides here are terrific and can answer any questions about the estate. If you’re in the Manchester, Vermont area the estate is a must see.

We enjoyed our visit to the estate and grounds and found the history of the house and property quite interesting. It’s a beautiful setting and well kept by the staff. Everyone we interacted with was helpful and friendly, even being later in the afternoon closer to closing time. We would recommend a visit if you’re in the area to learn more about the son & family of President Lincoln.

Beautiful estate. Very moving seeing Abe Lincoln's stove pipe hat and very interesting learning about his son and their descendants and lives. Don't miss the Pullman Car!

Enjoyed my visit to the Hildene Lincoln Family home. This historic site is very beautiful and well maintained. Viewing the many exhibits was easy as the site is very accessible (lots of trams and vans to take you around).

Must visit if in Manchester. Super cool history of the Lincoln family summer home on ~400 acres. The staff is very friendly, gives a great overview, and answers any questions. Make sure to visit the goats and buy some fresh goat milk!

A must if you are in the area! This home carries a lot of history! The grounds, and views are breathtaking! A lot to do here from the gardens, diary farm, and many walking trails.

We went at the end of July and had a wonderful day there. Trams ran constantly to ferry folks around the many acres and buildings. Great to preserve a connection to the Lincolns. Gorgeous gardens and views were icing on the cake. Oh, and they have a small picnic area so bring your lunch.

Beautiful grounds, plan to spend a few hours. The trams make is super accessible. The staff are knowledgeable and generous with their time

We added an extra day to our trip the Manchester area and spend a good portion of that day at Hildene and boy are we glad we went. What a beautiful place to explore and experience the scenery. Walking in the Lincoln's food steps (not the President of course, his son and his wife). As a photographer, I most especially enjoyed the grounds and seeing it from my perspective. Not only manicured, as expected but the design layout of the entire property. The gems throughout including the Pullman Car (love trains and especially old trains with history), I found the pond/swimming hole, loved the goats' farm area and the exquisite vistas of the surrounding mountains and valley below from the curved stone wall out back behind the family mansion. So glad they offered the golf carts for transiting around. Recommendation, to add other locations on accessible by cart so that we can enjoy what was marked on the ground's map.

Excellent visit to a very interesting place. Directions are spot on and the docents were so knowledgeable. Friendly people and I'd go back in another season to check out the grounds. Well worth the visit for the history.

I'm giving this 5 starts because we couldn't have gotten more out of the experience than we did and we loved every minute. The only reason I hesitate is because this place could be better visited in the spring or fall, rather than the dead of winter. On the other hand, it really was nice to have this available to tour in the winter. Even though we didn't pay for a tour, the docent at the house gave us a wonderful overview when we first walked in. It was so helpful! The ability to walk through the house and read all the well done placards was also wonderful. There were also plenty of incredibly friendly docents in the house to answer any questions. Such an interesting place with a wonderful history. The gift shop and Pullman Train were also well done. The building the gift shop is in is remarkable.

Not just educational but fun too! We got discounted tickets at our hotel so be sure to ask if you're staying nearby. We went on a weekday and only saw 1 other couple. There were 2 people working in the house when we went and seemed very knowledgeable and gave a great introduction of the property. After that, my husband and I wandered around on our own. There were placards in every room with info. We loved the conservatory, train car and organ. Highly recommend!

Beautiful, the tour was insightful. They allowed you to explore on your own without having to be apart of a tour group. There were several walking trails you could explore.

Amazing place to visit. Robert Todd Lincoln was the only child of Abraham and Mary Lincoln to live to adulthood. His grand house and grounds are well preserved and there is much to see, beautiful gardens in the back. You can also see an original deluxe Pullman railway car that was in service when Robert Lincoln was president of the Pullman Company.

Supporters and guides were very helpful. Beautiful location to consider the life of the Lincoln family.

We wanted to visit Vermont while in NY on business. We found this historical site. Absolutely gorgeous drive. It was about $20 per person. Easy parking, beautiful scenery and the people working there were amazing. Everyone was kind, nice, and very helpful and sweet. The house itself was small and hot. Hard to enjoy in the summer...the gardens were beautiful, we took a trolley to the Goodman Palace Train Car... my husband loved going through the train..it was hot but interesting. Of course they had to make it more about slavery/reformation of the porters than the presidents who rode that train on the presidential tours. Pictures of Preaidents on the train would have been nice. It was all about the workers who went from slaves to underpaid porters. Girl working there was telling facts that weren't true about the porters on the train throwing out civil rights pamphlets (that didn't exist then), but she was nice and personable. She talked about what they told her to. Then we took the golf cart to the goat farm, cute baby goats but about 5 minutes worth of fun. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves. Would we do it again or bring anyone else, probably not. It was raining, so we didn't do the trails. That might have made it more fun to walk to everything. Carts were nice and everything was beautiful.

The gardens out back are well kept and the entire estate is in a stunning environment. The grounds overall are quite nice and it's a good place to wander for a few miles of walking if you're so inclined. I walked about 2.5 miles myself. The Pullman car was particularly neat. The house itself isn't exactly huge, nor so unique or special, but it's preserved very nicely due to being family owned until the '70's. I've been on a lot of these types of self-guided tours and I think the admission price is very steep at $24. If it were a lot cheaper it would probably be a 4-star experience.

The grounds and house are absolutely beautiful. I wish had visited in the fall so I could see what I am sure are spectacular colors in the surrounding mountains and farmland. It was interesting to learn more about Robert Todd Lincoln, his family, and his legacy in the rail industry. The employees were lovely and knowledgeable, and I found that the entire property was very friendly to folks with disabilities. The price of admission, however, was pretty steep. I have paid similar prices to tour much larger historical properties, and most of those have actually included the tour. This property requires you to pay extra for a guided tour.

What a beautiful place to visit and learn all about Robert Todd Lincoln's home and life. Easy parking and a reasonable entry fee gives you a tour of the house and the freedom to roam. Check out the observatory, goat dairy (where you can pet the goats!), walking trails, gardens and that gorgeous view over the valley! This stop is highly recommended and I am so glad I went out of my way to plan an overnight trip to beautiful Manchester, VT to visit this historic home.

My husband and I spent the weekend in Manchester, but since we're not skiers, we had to get creative with our plans. Hildene was a great way to spend a few hours. Admission is a bit steep ($23 per person), but it does get you access to the house, the grounds, and all of the amenities therein (including the goat farm, Pullman car, miles of trails, etc.). We really enjoyed the Lincoln Family Home and its history. It was a self guided tour, but there were two guides stationed throughout the house, and they were happy to answer any of our questions. They clearly cared about the property, and they offered a lot of fun little trivia about the house and family. Abraham Lincoln never lived in the home, but there is a small exhibition about his life, and it includes one of his famous stovepipe hats! The house was beautiful, and I imagine the formal gardens are stunning in the spring. After touring the house, we traveled around the property. There was icy snow on the ground. The welcome center rents snowshoes and cross country skis - that is probably a great option for less icy days. We walked a mile to the goat farm where we got a chance to pet the residents. We then walked the maple trail (abt 2 miles round trip). It was a beautiful property. Giving four stars only because of the price - and since the Pullman car was out of order. It's definitely worth a stop, though, if you're in the area - especially if you're a fan of history!

We absolutely love touring historic homes so whenever traveling we try to find some to visit. When you arrive there's a little booth where you pay (credit card only) and it's $23 per person to tour the home and explore the grounds. We went on a Monday so there was ample parking and not too many people. We walked up to the house and was a given a history of the home before entering. Once we went inside we were greeted by an older gentleman who was there to answer any questions we might have. The house has all original furniture and there's a lot to look at. It's not overly fancy or ornate. The grounds and scenery are beautiful. Before leaving we stopped in the gift shop. The woman working in there was the least friendly person on this property. Overall, a fun place to visit and explore.

Robert Todd Lincoln roamed the White House with his brothers while Abe brought the nation through the civil war. Robert was the only child who lived into adulthood. He built an "ancestral" home in Manchester VT which he named "Hildene". It is an absolutely breathtaking experience to visit this estate. 95% of the furnishings were Lincoln possessions and the property has been beautifully restored to period authenticity. This was a family getaway....not built ostentatiously to impress business associates or politicians. One can feel how relaxing and restorative powers of this retreat must have benefited the family as they spent many long summers here in the early 1900's. One can wander the house and grounds at will and enjoy the views while walking in the footsteps of Lincoln's descendants. A very special experience.

A treasure in Manchester--beautiful during all 4 seasons. Visit many times and see even more.

Like others have stated this place is beautiful. On the day of our visit it was cold and rainy. We toured the the welcome center, house, and Pullman car. All of the staff was friendly and helpful. They loan complimentary umbrellas during rainy weather which was a nice surprise. It would've been great to see the gardens and other parts of the property but it wasn't meant to be. I'd say my favorite part of the property was the organ in the house.

While visiting Vermont, we decided to do a little sight seeing of the history here. It's a $20 admission fee, which is reasonable. We really enjoyed walking the grounds of the place. It was like taking a stroll back in time, imaging the Lincoln family with their children back then. Talk about loving their privacy! There is a "tour guide" that you encounter when you walk into the main house. And let me just say, he was delightful. He was knowledge on the matter and seemed genuinely interested in the topic/home. He engaged you, and made you want to know more. It was winter on our visit, and had just snowed, so it was like a winter wonderland out in the fields. I'm sure its just as beautiful during the summer months, when the gardens in bloom. I've heard that's a site to see. They have a gift shop, which also has little movies run you can sit and watch, providing more history on the heritage there. The one thing I found disappointing was that while there is a industrial looking telescope toward the top of the hill, it's blocked off from ever being usable. Bummer. All in all it was a nice tour and good trip.

What a historic gem! Robert Todd Lincolns home. Fully restored. Including a restored Pullman car. On a working farm. Awesome location. Mostly original furnishings. Lots of history!

A must-see for toruists interested in American History, gardens, goat farms, or wooded walks. They produce some delicious cheese and have a lovely gift shop. As a birder, I enjoy the wooded paths that are chock-full of warblers during May and June. Hildene Gardens in Peony season are spectacular.

If you have an interest in history, this is sure a place to go. The taste of history that is embedded within this historic location is truly remarkable. The welcoming staff sure do have an interest into explaining the history of this location to newcomers. There is a scenic view of the foothills of the beautiful mountains of Vermont, a tour of the interior of the Robert Lincoln house that feels like it brings you back into this time, the beautiful gardens and well maintained landscapes, as well as a look into an actual George Pullman cart. Do come here if visiting within the area and be mindful that admission can be a little pricey.

My Aunt Helen Hurley was a docent here for many years...this is a true gem of history in our time and in Manchester! So Lucky to have this true treasure...tours and staff are great...perfect place for a wedding too!

A lovely way to spend an afternoon in the Manchester area. Robert Lincoln's home is beautiful and the grounds are even more so. All the staff who work here are incredibly nice and informative. At multiple points of interest throughout the property there are volunteers standing ready to give you a quick history lesson. The grounds are also quite expansive with plenty of pretty walking trails.

A must for anyone visiting Manchester! A beautiful historical home in the heart of Manchester. Complete with beautiful gardens, amazing views and wonderful history.

Christopher Columbus was a horrible person who did not "discover" America. He accidentally landed in the Bahamas, was gold-crazed, and genocidal. Well. He was clearly a turd, but I'll take any excuse to get a bonus three-day weekend, so I can't complain too much. We went in October, on--you guessed it--Columbus Day. The day was beautiful, so Hubs and I took the opportunity for some long-overdue leaf peeping, as we are at peak foliage here near Saratoga Springs and Vermont. We originally intended to just bum around Manchester, but we were lucky enough to stumble upon the charming Hildene estate, nestled in what seemed like smack dab in the middle of the foothills of the Green Mountains. Hildene was built in 1905 as a summer and autumn vacation home of Robert Lincoln, the only child of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln that survived to adulthood. Only descendants of Lincoln resided in this home--the last descendant dying in 1975, after which the home was donated to the Church of Science and then turned into a nonprofit by the Friends of Hildene. We were greeted at the Visitor Center, and learned about what to see on the grounds and how admission works, etc. Cost was a tad steep, at $20 per adult. However, I seem to find myself in situations lately--oddly--where I'm at a museum and scandalized by the cost. So considering that I've paid more to get into aquariums and botanical gardens, looking back, $20 really isn't horrible. Hildene is SO much more than just a walk-thru of an old house. The home, while it looks enormous from the outside, was considered an intimate cottage and private residence, while entertaining would have taken place at the Lincolns' home base in Chicago. The estate also included a Pullman Car and railroad, a goat dairy farm (we obviously picked up some cheese), beautiful water holes, bee colonies, a pristinely manicured garden, and acres of trails and scenery. This. This is why I love--LOVE--autumn in the Northeast. As we meandered around the grounds, it was hard to imagine what it must have been like to actually live on premise. To be surrounded by the reds, yellows, oranges, and greens of the mountains and the bright blues of the sky, untouched by the Internet, smart phones, television sets, and surround sound streaming Spotify. I'm sure it was quite the serene and peaceful life. Overall, it'd be hard to NOT give Hildene five stars. All the employees were outgoing, friendly, knowledgeable, and gregarious. And the gift shop sold honeys, cheeses, and more that are actually made on premise. As I mentioned above, we definitely bought some chevre and another hard goat cheese at the shop that we haven't tried yet but I'm pretty confident it'll be delish. It was on the expensive side, but I'm excited. OH. And this juuuuust might be the coolest part yet--best for last--the gift shop also sold peony seeds. And not just peony seeds. They are peony seeds that were propagated from the original peony plants grown by the Lincoln family. How stinkin' cool is that?! I'm hoping to go back this winter. The employees told me that they get the house decorated in 1905 style.

Absolutely a must see if you are anywhere near. Hildene is the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln. Robert Todd Lincoln was Harvard class of 1864'. He graduated with Oliver Wendell Holmes. Lincoln after his father's assassination became an attorney, served in James Garfield's & Chester A Arthur's Cabinets in the 1880s, and was General Counsel and later CEO of the Pullman Car Company. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Company From these endeavors, Robert Todd Lincoln grew rich and powerful, but he maintained a modest and low profile. He bought his summer home in Vermont when he was around 60, and spent summers there with his wife and family until he was 82, when he died in 1926. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Todd_Lincoln Hildene has many features of historical interest. There are several rooms devoted to Abraham Lincoln. They have a death mask of Abe Lincoln & a stovepipe hat of Abe Lincoln, and many other items pertaining to Abe Lincoln. There is a historically authentic luxury Pullman Car on the grounds, which must be seen to be believed. The wild wild west was a myth--rich people traveled in luxurious trains. They didnt see saloons, indians or gunfighters. The gardens are sculpted and situated such that they command a view of mountains on either side--the location is brilliantly chosen. The house is more than beautiful--it is lavish but tasteful. There is a pipe organ built into the wall behind the stairs. Pianos abound. The workroom of Mr Lincoln looks very advanced. His was an organized and indeed, very advanced mind. His office reflects a very high degree of organization. There are photos throughout of Lincoln with all sorts of important people. So so many things to see here. This is a glimpse into a time past. A time when Abe Lincoln was revered, and Northern post-Civil War Republicanism reigned supreme as the consensus of the country. Hildene is the exemplar of this age. It cannot be missed. There is a wonderful information shop, guided tours and a book and gift store that carries much Lincolnoniana on all things Lincoln. Hildene is easily reached off the main country road. It is right in Manchester, VT.

An absolutely stunning estate experience from a bygone era of American wealth. Open to the public, the gardens and views are breathtaking. Worth a day walking the grounds.

Informative, attentive staff, beautifully maintained property. We were initially put off by the entry fee but found it to be well worth the investment. Only drawback was that we wished there was more time to spend there before closing at 4. Two hours was not enough. When looking to fully tour both indoors and outdoors, I would recommend at least 3.5 hours.

If I could give this place 0 stars, I would. We went here to take pictures before my wedding, and the staff made us feel so unwelcome. Don't waste your money.

We had a beautiful day today at Hildene. What a gourous place and full of History. The staff and tour guides were excellent! Knowledgeable and friendly. It wax I. The 80's today, but we still walked down to Dene Farm and floating walk way. That's a hill so be aware of that. Don't miss the Pullman car and the goat farm. We were there from 10:00-2:30. Would be a beautiful place for wedding or special event!

Pack a cooler, take the guided tour, stay for the day! This is a fabulous property to visit. I have two 7 year old boys so we decided to do the self guided tour of the house. I listened in on parts of the guided tour and it would be worth every penny (the tours are at 11:00am & 1:30pm.) They provide information not only on the residence but on the life of RTL. That being said the I did pick the brains of several docents and they we all kind and full of info. We toured the formal garden and observatory and walked to the Pullman car. There were no less than 3 docents at this location. Again, an excellent piece of history preserved and history lesson to accompany it. We then walked to the goat farm to see the goats and to learn about the cheese making process and the history of the building that housed it. Again, excellent. In addition, all the trails/pathways were clearly marked. We took the tram back to the Welcome Center (there is a tram that connects all the attractions at Hildene.) The gift store is really nice and they have just about everything you need for a picnic lunch. If I had been better prepared I would have packed some fruit and maybe a couple of other things to round out our lunch but really, it was great. Fresh goat cheese (made on the farm), Vermont pepperoni, jam and crackers. You need the cooler so you can take some cheese home! We didn't have time to walk the other nature trails or to visit The Dene, which is why you should spend the whole day there. As it was, we spent about 4 hours here. I've read that some feel that the admission was too steep. It's $20 for adults, $5 for children over 5. This is a privately supported historical landmark and they have done an unbelievably good job. Without the initiative and foresight of The Friends of Hildene this treasure may have been lost. With your admission there is a full day of activity and there are many docents available for whatever questions you may have. The guided tour is an additional $7.50 and runs about 45 minutes. Also, excellent.

Its super expensive for what you get. $20 per adult is way too much although the staff in amazingly helpful and friendly. The huge plus is the 12 miles of insanely peaceful walking trails you get access to. Parking is free and plentiful.

We spent an afternoon here with our family and it turned out to be highlight of our vacation in Manchester. Grounds are stunning! The home itself is more than we expected. The best part is all of the welcoming staff and volunteers, especially Bill Burke. We learned so much by people who really care about the history of Hildene. They made us excited about it. AMAZING

Gorgeous property with a significant story. $20 a person for tickets, but this can get you through an entire day if you have it and the weather. Structure visits are quick but the grounds are beautiful. If you get tired of walking they do offer golf cart trams to get you around.

$16. That's the price of admission to the estate of our nations' slavery ending president's brother, Robert Todd Lincoln. Nestled on 500 acres of Berkshire's, this mansion and garden estate is phantasmagorical. Lush green lawns, perfectly manicured gardens, spectacular vistas. A guided tour and a contextual film, trails and a fully restored Pullman car make this a necessary stop while in the area.

This place was awesome. So beautiful. The volunteers kind, and I loved the farm to table knowledge that is even spread to the schools. I would go back here every day if I had the time. The house and the grounds are beautiful. A piece of history that all need to see.

I'm a Lincoln nerd and I love this place both for its historic value and the sheer beauty of the site.

What a cool place to visit! Just outside the main area of Manchester, down a straight dirt driveway lies the visitor's center. It's a newer building stocked with items to purchase and where you purchase tickets. The staff was very friendly. They have two videos looping in a small area off to the side. I found the one on the Pullman car really interesting. To see what it looked like before restoration really gives you an idea of how much work went into bringing it back to it's former glory. More on that later. It's a short walk to the house from the visitor's center. Despite being a self guided tour, there were a number of volunteers in the house and around the house to assist with questions or just offer some facts. We were fortunate the day we attended; they started up the player organ in the house for everyone to listen to. After looking at the house, take a look at the gardens behind, really nice. We took a quick walk down to the vegetable gardens behind the visitor's area. The tool shed had a lot of neat old tools and some history about the dairy farm. I didn't realize they used to provide milk to Wilcox Creamery. Which, IMHO, makes some of the best ice-cream around. The last stop on our tour was the Pullman car. This is located a short walk from the visitor's center. They do have a small tram that will take people to and from the train car and to other areas on the property. The train car was very cool. They had a number of individuals there to answer questions. The restoration job was incredible. The detail work they put into the car is amazing. They certainly don't make them like they used to. This is a really great place to visit. There's plenty to see, it's well staffed and there's a lot of history.

We went June 2021. It's like visiting the mansions in Newport RI, but with more extensive grounds, a better garden, and a better view. You can see all the opulence of the gilded pre-income-tax era in the house, great view of the Taconic mountains from the back, lots of trails to walk, working goat farm on site. Staff was very helpful. If you are a member of a botanical garden participating in the American Horticultural Society reciprocal program, you can get in by flashing your card (saved me $46!)

Rude! Rude! Rude! Went with a friend today to visit Hildene having visited many years ago with my husband and son and we were met with a rude staff member at the visitors center when we inquired about admission. $23 a person at 2:30 in the afternoon we decided against it since they closed at 4:30pm and quite honestly we were interested in just walking the grounds and not touring the house since our time was limited. ( This isn't an option no matter what time you arrive there ) I told my friend we would just walk around the visitors shop for a few minutes and the staff member at the desk misunderstood me and snapped "you cannot walk around the grounds without paying admission!!!!" Goodbye Hildene until you can find much more customer friendly representatives and you try being more accommodating to people!

Exceptional Hospitality!!!! While the grounds and view of the foliage in the mountains is absolutely spectacular, the real gem about Hildene Estate is the Top Notch hospitality that I experienced there. As a wedding vendor, we know that the we are not the main focus of the day and have come to expect all of the attention, care and even smiles to be reserved for our newlyweds and their guests when working with wedding venues and day-of coordinators. This was not the case when I showed up at Hildene Estate. From the parking attendant who smiled and told me where I could load-in the band's equipment to having a warm green room for the band to relax in during break times, every single need that we had was met with grace and we are so happy to have had such an amazing experience. While I can't remember everyone's name there that assisted us and this day so memorable for us, be on the lookout for Carmine, Nick, Julie, Parker and Bess....and if for some reason they're not around I am certain that you will be in the best of hands with whoever you will work with there!!! -Mark King Of Hearts Band @kingofhearts.ent

Fell into this place while looking for something to do inside on a brisk spring day. I was more than impressed with how beautiful it was. Erik was our guide - definitely worth the extra money for a guided tour. Then after your tour you can walk through again on your own. Absolutely fascinating stories in this home and 95% original artifacts!

This was really interesting. Thry are taking great covid precautions. Interesting ans lots to see. We spent 3 hours there.

This is a nice estate with beautiful views of the Green and Taconic Mountains. Much more than just a historic house, it includes several working farms - one for goats, one for other animals and a large forested area where maple sap is harvested. There is also a Pullman railroad car. Cheese from the goats is sold at the expensive but not outrageous gift shop. Restrooms are located throughout the grounds and there is a water fountain at the main farm. Some staff were a little annoying. At the house, where the tour was supposed to be self-guided, the docent insisted we all gather on one specific patch of grass in the hot sun though most of the guests were seniors, and said she was going to give us speeches in two areas "because I like to talk". There was also an unnecessary wait to get on the Pullman car because its minder keeps asking don't you have any questions for me before you allowed aboard. No, I just want to walk through it and see it for myself. The playful kid goats were the highlight for me.

Some say the $20 admission fee is pricey but I thought it was very reasonable given you can literally spend a whole day here exploring all the trails, farm, boardwalk, Pullman car, etc. We also called ahead to get on the list for the guided tour for $7 extra--completely worth it. Only annoying thing was that some people who did not pay for the tour just walked by and decided to join our group which made it even more packed and difficult to enjoy when we were in the smaller rooms. Our guide clearly noticed that these extra people did not belong in our group but didn't say anything. Regardless, enjoyed our time here and the gift shop had some unique items.

I was surprised that I enjoyed this tour as much as I did. My wife and i were visiting Vermont for the 4th of July and decided to check this out. Hidden is the "summer cottage" of Robert Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's oldest son. The mansion tour also included tours of the grounds, tram rides around the estate including working farms and maple groves and a visit to a fully restored Pullman Luxury Rail Car. The staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. The history lesson was great with many references not only to Abraham Lincoln, but also the social issues of the day as the home passed through several generations of the Lincoln Family until it was sold as a trust to the Society that maintains it. Well worth several hours to see and explore.

The staff and volunteers are welcoming and friendly. They made my time at Hildene that much more enjoyable. Interesting to stare history in the face. A huge THANK YOU to the Friends of Hildene for passionately preserving our past.

The grounds and setting are amazing. I visited last year and returned again on my Manchester visit this summer. My memories and the impressions of the gardens were so powerful that I could not remember much of the history. So this time I slowed down and soaked in important elements of our American heritage. There is a relatively rare and particularly interesting map upstairs that shows population distributions of enslaved Americans during the mid 1800's. If you are interested, take the trail through the sugar maples to see the engineering of collection systems they use for gathering sap to make syrup.

Get there early. Take it in. And enjoy. Lovely gift shop as the first stop. Then head over to the home. Feel proud of the "middle class higher middle class" of the era. Take in the history, and what we have learned. OR not learned. Walk over to the farm. And indulge in how LOVING the staff is, and how LOVED these animals are. Then start crying because its not cheese season... Goats this loved have to yield milk that makes a loved cheese. And as I heard from Hildene to the MA border - their chevre is without comparison... DANG IT! But we say 2-8 day born kids, and two on the way while we were there. Bring the right shoes, sunscreen, bug spray and water. And take it all in.

Attended a private event here in the Fall. INCREDIBLE! A must if your organization can afford it. Drinks in the back yard with a breathtaking view. The chance to mozy around was also wonderful (although I was scared to death carrying my drink around). We had a tour by the author of Lincolns son's bio who also spoke after dinner. Worth stopping in if you are just driving by or staying the night.