We are truly delighted, with this retreat... and each day, brings its visitors.
— Mary Lincoln, 1862Visitor Education Center
The Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center is housed in a 1905 Beaux Arts style building adjacent to President Lincoln’s Cottage. The rehabilitated Visitor Education Center is the first National Trust Historic site structure to qualify for LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) certification from the US Green Building Council. This “green” renovation was supported by a $1 million grant from United Technologies Corporation.
All tours of the Cottage begin in the Visitor Education Center. Please check-in at Guest Reception/Museum Store 15 minutes prior to your tour.
Visitor Orientation Theater
Before touring President Lincoln’s Cottage, visitors will gather in this intimate space with their guide for an introduction to the site and to the tour experience. An interactive audio visual presentation with the tour leader will set the context for the Lincolns’ move to the Soldiers' Home and the world in which they lived. From this room visitors will proceed directly to the Cottage.
Exhibits
The Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center contains four self-guided exhibits about "Wartime Washington," "Lincoln the Commander-in-Chief," the life of the "Lincoln Family at the Soldiers' Home," and the "History of the Soldiers' Home" and preservation of the National Monument. In addition to the exhibits and orientation theater there are 2 additional galleries:
Lincoln’s Toughest Decisions – Award Winning Experience!
In this innovative interactive gallery, visitor sit around a large wooden table evoking Lincoln’s Cabinet table. The program allows users to explore digitzed letters, documents and archival materials to help them decide how they, as a member of Lincoln's Cabinet, should advise Lincoln during discussions about critical issues like the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, the military turning point of the Civil War in 1864; and the strategy for Lincoln's reelection in 1864. Touchscreen technology allows visitors to select and magnify individual items on their desktop. Each experience is designed to be used by visitors of all ages, in groups or individually.
Special Exhibitions Gallery
The Visitor Education Center contains a state-of-the art gallery space has been created to present rotating exhibits of Lincoln-related artifacts. The current exhibition, "A Deep and Subtle Expression" is open from July 4, 2008-December 19, 2008, and looks at how artists have attempted to convey the soul of Lincoln through sculpture and statuary over the years. Read more about the exhibit on our blog. Future exhibitions will explore other aspects of Lincoln’s presidency and legacy, displaying artifacts from Lincoln collections around the country.
Restrooms and Museum Store
Restroom facilities and a museum store offering books and other merchandise, beverages, and snacks are also available in the Visitor Education Center.