by Callie Hawkins
CEO & Executive Director, Lincoln’s Cottage

As the newly appointed CEO and Executive Director of President Lincoln’s Cottage, I am delighted to invite you all to one of my favorite days of the year: our Cottage Homecoming on September 16th.

The Cottage is famous as the place where Lincoln developed the Emancipation Proclamation, but we also remember that it was a family home—where Abraham and Mary Lincoln explored the grounds by foot and on horseback, and where their son Tad rode ponies, held races with his friends, and frolicked with peacocks and pet goats on the lawns. “How dearly I loved the Soldiers’ Home,” Mary wrote wistfully to a friend after Lincoln’s assassination.

It is to honor the history of the Cottage as a family home, that we host our Homecoming event each year.

The day begins with a spirited “Freedom 5K” race where runners will have the rare opportunity to explore the grounds around the home as the Lincolns did.

At 10am, our Tot Dash will usher in the free “Family Day” portion of the festivities, where we invite you and your children to ride ponies, play with animals at our petting zoo, play lawn games, and listen to stories.

There will also be face painting, arts and crafts projects, and hands-on preservation activities sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Building on the popularity of last year’s Homecoming, the Cottage is offering more activities than ever.

We hope you will join us at this special event!

If you can’t make it, I invite you to come for a tour at a later date. We are open 362 days a year and would be thrilled to share this special place with you.