Hildene

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

High on our 'to do' list for the Manchester area in Vermont was touring Hildene, the estate of Robert Todd Lincoln, who was Abraham Lincoln's only child to grow to old age. On a visit to the Equinox Hotel [where I stayed] with his mother, Robert fell in love with the area and bought land next to a friend's place. Robert lived there until his death and the property went through a series of his children and grandchildren. However, the line of the direct descendants ceased with the death of the last owner in ~1975 and became a historic landmark due to local preservation efforts. Lots of cool and interesting historical items in the house, but my personal fav was the case with one of three surviving black hats worn by Abe himself. Gave me chills! :) Carol