Not Many People Realize This Incredible Palace Is Hiding In Vermont

A palace isn’t just a place where you’ll find kings and queens. In fact, a palace could be a castle, chateau, mansion or a stately home. In Manchester in Southern Vermont, you’ll find just that: Hildene, the large and splendid summer home of the Lincoln Family. Filled with history and surrounded by manicured gardens, this home is truly a palace right here in Vermont.

Hildene is located at 820 Hildene Road in the charming town of Manchester, Vermont.

The home was built in 1905 by Robert Todd Lincoln, one of Abraham Lincoln’s four children and the only one to survive to adulthood.

This portrait of Robert Lincoln was painted in 1905, the same year Hildene was completed. It currently hangs in the dining room, but according to original architect's photographs of the home, the painting did not initially hang there.

This photo, circa 1905, was taken of Hildene's dining room.

The dining room today.

Robert first visited Manchester at age 20 in the summer of 1863 when he, his brother Tad, and their mother, Mary, stayed at the nearby Equinox House.

This is a photo of Mary taken on her wedding day, and is one of the only photos of her in existence. Robert once wrote in a letter that she didn't like being photographed.

Hildene was occupied by decedents of the Lincoln family until 1975.

In 1978 the Friends of Hildene, a non-profit organization, purchased the property and began restoration of the house, outbuildings and gardens.

Hildene is furnished almost entirely with Lincoln family furniture and contains artifacts belonging to Robert Todd Lincoln and his parents.

You'll see rooms such as Robert's library just as it was when the Lincoln's lived here.

Located on 412 acres, you’ll also find a goat dairy, a working farm, a restored Pullman car and 12 miles of walking trails.

You’ll also find the Rowland Agricultural Center on the property houses a cheese making facility and is home to a herd of Nubian goats. Their milk is used to make Hildene's own delicious goat cheese.

Some may argue that the real crown jewel of Hildene is the formal garden. Many of the original plants date back to 1908.

A formal garden in the form of a cathedral's stained glass window was planted in 1907. The window pattern is defined by a hedge and filled with annual and perennial flowers providing the multicolored "stained glass" look.

Each spring this garden boasts over a thousand peony blooms!

Hildene is open year round for self-guided and group tours as well as school tours. Check out their website for more information.

Hildene is a wonderful place to visit, and Manchester just might be the most unique town in the world. There is something for everyone here, which makes it a perfect destination for all.