President Lincoln’s Cottage commemorates Abraham Lincoln 150 years after his final visit to the site and his death with free public programs throughout April.

Washington, DC – This April, President Lincoln’s Cottage in Washington, D.C. will mark the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s last visit and his assassination with a range of free events, exhibits, and programs commemorating his life. Highlights include: a retracing of Lincoln’s daily commute on horseback through the streets of Washington, D.C.; an exhibit examining presidential security; and a dynamic forum featuring innovative scholars and visionary leaders on the lasting influence of Lincoln’s brave ideas.

“Abraham Lincoln last visited the Soldiers’ Home on April 13, 1865, the day before his assassination,” notes Executive Director Erin Carlson Mast. “Though living here was a great risk for the Lincoln family, they eagerly anticipated another season in residence during the summer of 1865. Lincoln’s life was cut short that spring, but his courageous ideas and vision of freedom live on at this authentic place.  We are pleased to close the Civil War sesquicentennial anniversary with a series of free public programs, so that together we can reflect on Lincoln’s life and continued resonance in all of our lives 150 years later.”

EVENTS:

Lincoln Ideas Forum
Friday April 10, 1:30pm
Notable thinkers will come together at President Lincoln’s Cottage for a dynamic symposium exploring the intersection of President Lincoln’s life and legacy with contemporary issues including immigration, human trafficking, architectural phenomenology, presidential safety, and equity in education. The forum will feature Adam Goodheart of Washington College, Bradley Myles, CEO of Polaris Project, and Jason Silverman of Winthrop University, and other experts.
Limited seating available. Reserve seats online at www.lincolncottage.org/legacy2015.
Can’t attend? Join the conversation using #LincolnIdeas.

Lincoln’s Last Ride
Monday April 13, 12:00-3:30pm
Abraham Lincoln last rode out to the Soldiers’ Home on April 13, 1865, one day before his assassination. We will retrace Lincoln’s final commute on horseback from the White House to the Soldiers’ Home. The public is invited to salute the ride from sidewalks and viewing stations* along the route, and to welcome the horses and riders to the Cottage at the ride’s end. A brief ceremony will take place on the Cottage lawn following the ride at 3:00pm.
Route: 15th Street NW > Vermont Ave NW > Rhode Island Ave NW > 7th St / Georgia Ave NW > Rock Creek Church Road NW > Arrive at President Lincoln’s Cottage.
–Shaw Library plaza, 1630 7th St NW
–Howard University plaza, 2601 Georgia Ave NW
Ride begins at 12:00 pm. End time is approximate.

In 2010, President Lincoln’s Cottage retraced Abraham Lincoln’s daily commute on horseback (pictured).

MEMORIAL TRIBUTE:

Draped in Black
Saturday April 18 through Thursday April 30
On view M-Sat 9:30am-4:30pm, Sun 10:30am-4:30pm
Within days of President Lincoln’s death in 1865, staff and residents of the Soldiers’ Home (now known as the Armed Forces Retirement Home) draped the Cottage in black cambric.  President Lincoln’s Cottage will commemorate the Soldiers’ Home’s mourning of their President by once again draping the Cottage in black for the 150th anniversary.

EXHIBITS:

Not an American Practice: Lincoln’s Life at Risk
On view through September 2015
Prints and objects from the President Lincoln’s Cottage collection illuminate the efforts to protect the president at the Soldiers’ Home and beyond, and contemplate how Lincoln’s assassination forever changed presidential security.

originALs: Memorial Objects from the Collection
On view through August 2015
View artifacts from the President Lincoln’s Cottage collection on public display for the very first time in 150 years. Exhibit items include the goblet that Abraham Lincoln drank from on his final visit to the Soldiers’ Home and the gloves and armband worn by A.N. See, a member of Lincoln’s presidential guard, at the White House funeral for Lincoln.
About President Lincoln’s Cottage: For over a quarter of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, he lived at the Cottage, on an uplifting hilltop in northwest Washington, D.C.  While in residence, President Lincoln made some of his most crucial decisions of the Civil War, visited with wounded soldiers, spent time with self-emancipated men, women and children, and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. His experience of being surrounded by the human cost of war here undoubtedly impacted his thinking and strengthened his resolve to challenge the status quo. Through innovative guided tours, exhibits and programs, we use Lincoln’s example to inspire visitors to take their own path to greatness, and preserve this place as an authentic, tangible connection to the past and a beacon of hope for all who take up Lincoln’s unfinished work.

About President Lincoln’s Cottage: This is a private non-profit located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The Cottage is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, National Monument, and site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Hours of operation: The Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center is open 9:30am-4:30pm Monday-Saturday and 10:30am-4:30pm Sunday. Cottage tours are on the hour, 7 days a week. For more information, visit: www.lincolncottage.org or call 202-829-0436.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation: The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately-funded non-profit organization, works to save America’s historic places. The National Trust opened President Lincoln’s Cottage to the public in 2008 following an eight-year restoration effort in cooperation with the Armed Forces Retirement Home. For more information, visit: www.preservationnation.org.

Address: 3700 North Capitol Street NW | Washington DC 20011-8400

Visit us at www.lincolncottage.org.