Hildene was the home of Robert Todd Lincoln, the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln who lived past childhood. Robert was a successful lawyer representing corporate clients. He also held several political positions and in his later years became president and then chairman of the board for the Pullman Palace Car Company. It's ironic that, as the son of Abraham Lincoln, he held a position in this company for 25 years - a company that was known for its exploitation of the black workers who served as porters, cooks, waiters, and maids.
For 21 years the Lincolns spent the summer season in Hildene after which the house was passed down through the family. In 1975 when the last Lincoln family member to live in the house died, the property was willed to the Church of Christ, Scientist and then sold to the non-profit that manages it today. The property consists of the house, a gift shop, a goat farm and cheese making operation, an ecological- centered teaching farm, an 1832 schoolhouse, a Pullman Car, and 12 miles of trails.
Wheelchair access on the site is limited. The only parking area is at the admissions and gift shop building. Trails lead to all of the locations including the house which has a paved but steep trail. The small carts that are used as shuttles do not have ramps or lifts.
The house tour is self guided or guided for an additional fee. The wheelchair ramp is located on the southeast side of the house. The first floor and the garden are accessible.
The steep gravel trail to the observatory is not accessible.
The paved trail to the Pullman Car is short but downhill. The ramp to the car does not meet flush to the ground. The car door is too narrow for wheelchairs but the boardwalk along the side is high enough to allow peeks into the windows.
We did not go on the
other trails because of a lack of time. Taking the shuttle or walking on the trails is the only way to access the rest of the site.
The designated RV section of the parking lot is steeply uphill. We parked in the regular lot, backed up over the grass. Hildene 43.14183, -73.0802
Oh gosh, I bet Abraham was rolling in his grave while his son exploited the black workers. Poor Abe. The area around the home/grounds looks lush and gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice place to visit and I like that they didn't gloss over the history of the Pullman Car Company.
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