During the Civil War, the Lincoln family called the Cottage home. Tad Lincoln spent three summers of his childhood exploring the grounds of the Soldiers’ Home as well as the rooms of the Cottage. Here he played with friends, soldiers, animals, as well as his own family. Each year, we welcome families to enjoy the grounds as the Lincoln family did with a full day of family fun activities at Homecoming!
Tickets HERE
This year’s Homecoming activities will nurture the whole child. We aim to encourage…
– Self-expression
– Curiosity
– Brave Ideas
– Connection
– Empathy
– Belonging
10 AM – 3 PM: Family Day activities, FREE for all:
• Arts and Crafts: Create a top hat to fill with your own brave ideas!
• Storytime
• Pony Rides & Petting Zoo: It’s no secret Tad Lincoln loved keeping pets on the grounds. Don’t let this chance slip by to ride a pony on Lincoln’s lawn or encounter another amazing creature!
• Listen Up!: Learn more about Libby audiobooks and Kanopy video streaming through your local library!
• Picnic on the Grounds: Pack your own picnic and enjoy lunch at the picnic tables or on the spacious South Lawn or grab a meal from our food truck vendors.
• Music: We will get things started with the Kidsinger Jim Puppet Show! Express yourself! Break out your funkiest dance moves when Kidsinger Jim plays his famous music show.
• Preservation: Learn about the importance of caring for our built environment with Director of Preservation, Jeff Larry. Participate in hands-on preservation activities.
• Tour the Cottage: Take a guided tour of the Lincoln family’s seasonal retreat. Regular ticket prices apply; visit our tickets page to purchase in advance. The first tour begins at 10 AM, and the last tour begins at 2 PM.
• Self-Guided Grounds Tours: Connect with nature on this self-guided, app-based, meditative grounds tour. Visit our tickets page to purchase in advance.
SCHEDULE (TBD)
If you would like to take a tour of the Cottage, we strongly recommend purchasing Cottage Tour tickets in advance. Your Homecoming registration does not include a Cottage Tour ticket.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Interested in supporting this event? Contact Emma Tanner at [email protected] with inquiries.
Safety & General Information
Family Day activities, sponsored by President Lincoln’s Cottage, are FREE unless otherwise noted, and are open to the public. Event program and schedule subject to change. Concessions from food trucks are not included.
Armed Forces Retirement Home
President Lincoln’s Cottage is on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Security for the Armed Forces Retirement Home requires visitors to show valid identification at the security gate in order to enter the property. Please be prepared to show your ID.
Exploring beyond the boundaries of President Lincoln’s Cottage is not permitted and results in trespassing on federal property.
Pets are not allowed on the grounds.
All events are considered public events for the purpose of photography and video.
Contact
Contact President Lincoln’s Cottage with any questions at 202-829-0436 or [email protected].
