Vermont’s Lincoln Legacy

December 9, 2025 at 8:00 am · Filed under tourism, travel, U.S. travel, vermont and tagged: hildene, short reads, travel writing

By Linda Tancs

Robert Lincoln was the only child of President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to maturity. Together with his wife, Robert built a summer home in Manchester, Vermont, a Georgian Revival mansion that would become a home to only Lincoln descendants until 1975, longer than any other Lincoln residence. They named the estate Hildene, formed from two Old English words: “Hil” meaning “hill” and “dene” meaning “valley with stream.” The description is an apt one, considering that the property is perched on a hill overlooking the Taconic Mountains to the west, the Green Mountains to the east, and the Battenkill River flowing through the valley below. In addition to the home and formal garden, the 412-acre estate boasts 12 miles of walking trails, a farm and a number of historic buildings. Wintertime is especially scenic at the estate and is a popular time to experience the trails.

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