(photo courtesy President Lincoln’s Cottage)

by Michael Atwood Mason
CEO & Executive Director of President Lincoln’s Cottage
Guest Contributor

For a quarter of his presidency, Abraham Lincoln and his family lived at the Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home, today known as President Lincoln’s Cottage. During their first summer in residence, Mary Lincoln wrote to a friend, “We are truly delighted with this retreat, the drives & walks around here are delightful, & each day, brings its visitors…. We consider it a ‘pleasant time’ for us.”

It is in the spirit of the Lincoln family’s delight with these scenic grounds that we at President Lincoln’s Cottage welcome the Petworth community to Homecoming on September 17th. It will be a full day of fun that has something that will appeal to every single person in Petworth. RSVP today!

Our Freedom 5K in the morning is the only chance for local runners to experience parts of the historic campus that are usually closed to the public when they traverse this rustic course.

Following the race, there is a Free Family Day on our South Lawn, where kids can enjoy the activities that Tad loved when he lived here: riding ponies, playing with animals (there will be a petting zoo), playing lawn games, and hearing stories. There will also be face painting and Lincoln themed arts and crafts, so your favorite fashionista will have the opportunity to craft an ever-chic “Lincoln Hat.”

For our local music lovers, there will be a free family-friendly performance by the Petworth Jazz Project from 3pm-6pm featuring DC music legend Corcoran Holt. This is our first time partnering with the Petworth Jazz Project, and we are thrilled about this new community partnership.

Please stop by and bring a friend! RSVP today!