President Lincoln and Soldiers' Home National Monument

Today, the Soldiers’ Home still commands spectacular views overlooking the city. The Lincolns prized this breeze-swept pastoral refuge for its relative privacy yet proximity to Washington’s center. Lincoln met with Cabinet members and political allies and adversaries, and he enjoyed intimacy with his family there. He also studied war strategies and pondered the course of leadership in this setting. Most importantly, Lincoln developed the policy of emancipation during his first season residing at the Soldiers’ Home.

The Soldiers' Home also served as a presidential retreat to presidents James Buchanan, Rutherford B. Hayes and Chester Arthur. But the site gained its National Monument status for its connection to the private life and public leadership of Abraham Lincoln, one of our nation's greatest presidents.

Restoration Plans and Progress
The planning and scope of work for the preservation of the Lincoln Cottage, the centerpiece of the National Monument, is divided into distinct phases of investigative research, planning and development, preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse.

Exterior restoration of Lincoln Cottage was completed in April 2005. Preservation of the interior of Lincoln Cottage, renovation of the future Visitor Education Center, landscape rehabilitation, interpretation, exhibits, and programs are all currently in development.

Generous donations from private and federal sources fund capital projects at the President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home National Monument. Please consider making a contribution to our ongoing capital campaign to help us achieve our preservation and development goals for the site. Your support will make a positive difference, and no gift is too small.

Public Access
The President Lincoln and Soldiers' Home National Monument is not open at this time. In cooperation with the Armed Forces Retirement Home, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is preserving and developing the site to be opened to the public.

Contact Information
Sophia Lynn, Project Manager
Lincoln Cottage
c/o National Trust for Historic Preservation
AFRH-W Box 1315
3700 North Capitol Street NW
Washington, DC 20011-8400
Phone: 202-829-0436
Website: www.lincolncottage.org

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Other Points of Interest
Explore these preservation-related links for information on more historical sites.

Historic Hotels
Planning a visit to the Washington area? Try one of these hotels from the National Trust For Historic Preservation's book, Historic Hotels of America Directory.

Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/historic_hotels

Hotel Monaco
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/historic_hotels