President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ House in Washington, DC, offers Americans an intimate and never-before-seen glimpse into the presidency and family life of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln’s Cottage was designated a national monument by President Clinton in 2000 and was restored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation at a cost of more than $ 15 million. The cabin served as Lincoln’s family residence for a quarter of his presidency and is considered “the most significant historic site directly associated with Lincoln’s presidency” apart from the White House.
Lincoln used the cabin as a quiet refuge and produced important speeches, letters, and policies for this site.
Abraham Lincoln lived in the cabin at the Soldiers’ House from June to November 1862, 1863, and 1864. He was living here when he drafted the draft version of the Emancipation Proclamation and deliberated on critical issues of the Civil War. Since the cabin opened to the public in 2008, tens of thousands of visitors have engaged in conversations about freedom, justice, and equality, through innovative guided tours, forward-thinking exhibits, and quality educational programs.
Location
On the grounds of the Retreat House of the Armed Forces
Rock Creek Church Rd and Upshur St. NW
Washington, DC
Admission and guided tours
A one-hour guided tour of the cabin is offered daily, every hour from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Saturday and from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sundays. Reservations are recommended. Call 1-800-514-ETIX (3849). Tickets are $ 15 for adults and $ 5 for children ages 6-12. All tours are guided and there is limited space available. The Visitor Center is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Saturday, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday.
Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center
The Visitor Education Center, housed in a restored 1905 building adjacent to Lincoln’s Cottage, features exhibits telling the wartime history of Washington, the Lincoln family’s discovery of their country retreat at the Soldiers’ House. and Lincoln’s role as Commander-in-Chief. A special gallery features rotating displays of Lincoln-related artifacts.
Retirement Home of the Armed Forces
Located on 272 acres in the heart of our nation’s capital, the Armed Forces Retirement Home is a premier retirement community that fosters independence for veteran Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers. The property has more than 400 private rooms, banks, chapels, a convenience store, post office, laundry, barber and beauty salon, and dining room. The campus also features a nine-hole golf course and driving range, walking trails, gardens, two fishing ponds, a computer center, a bowling alley, and individual work areas for pottery, carpentry, painting, and other hobbies.
The Armed Forces Retirement House was established on March 3, 1851, and later became a presidential retreat. President Lincoln lived in the Soldiers’ House in 1862-1864 and spent more time there than any other president. In 1857, President James Buchanan became the first president to stay at the Soldiers’ House, although he stayed in a different cabin than the one occupied by Lincoln. President Rutherford B. Hayes also enjoyed the Soldiers’ House setup and stayed in the cabin during the summers of 1877-80.
President Chester A. Arthur was the last president to use the cabin as a residence, which he did during the winter of 1882 while the White House was being repaired.
Website : www.lincolncottage.org
