We are truly delighted, with this retreat... and each day, brings its visitors.
— Mary Lincoln, 1862Frequently Asked Questions
How do I visit President Lincoln’s Cottage?
Because President Lincoln’s Cottage is located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, please follow these guidelines when planning a visit:
- For ticket information and to purchase a ticket, click here.
- Groups of 10 or more must fill out the online application form here.
- All tours are guided and space is limited. We cannot guarantee entry to President Lincoln’s Cottage without a reservation.
- Bring photo identification and your ticket(s).
- Arrive 15 minutes before your tour is scheduled to start and check-in at the Visitor Education Center.
- Tours begin promptly on the hour and we cannot guarantee a spot on the next tour if you are late.
Is photography permitted?
Photography, videocameras, and tripods are prohibited in both buildings. Amateur exterior photography of the Cottage and Visitor Education Center are permitted for personal use.
Professional photography, filming, and photography for publication or commercial purposes must be scheduled in advance, requires written permission from the Director, and is subject to fees. Contact Alison Mitchell for questions and details.
Are strollers permitted?
Strollers are prohibited inside President Lincoln's Cottage but are permitted in the Visitor Education Center. Staff will instruct you where you may park the stroller before touring the Cottage.
Are the Cottage and Visitor Center accessible?
The Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center is accessible by our east entrance ramp. All exhibits and visitor restrooms are on the first floor. The Cottage is accessible by a grade entrance, elevator, and wheel chair lift. There are restrictions on use and a staff member must be present to operate the elevator and lift, so please alert the Museum Store attendant when you check-in if you require use of the elevator and lift so that we may properly assist you. Hearing enhancement devices are also available upon request.
What is President Lincoln’s Cottage?
President Lincoln's Cottage at the Soldiers' Home in Washington, DC is the most significant historic site directly associated with Abraham Lincoln’s presidency aside from the White House. The 34-room Gothic Revival style house is located three miles north of the White House on the grounds of the federally-operated Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH). President Lincoln's Cottage is run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private, non-profit organization, through an agreement with the AFRH. For more information on the history of the Cottage and the Soldiers' Home, click here.
When did President Lincoln’s Cottage open?
After a seven-year restoration project, President Lincoln’s Cottage held a Grand Opening Ceremony on February 18, 2008 and opened to the public on February 19, 2008.
May I Host an Event at President Lincoln's Cottage?
President Lincoln's Cottage and the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center may be rented for special events and meetings. For information about use of the facilities and rates, please visit our Site Rental page.
How much did restoring President Lincoln’s Cottage, landscape, and establishing the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center cost?
Over $15 million has been raised by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from individual, corporate and federal sources to complete all, the activities required to open a site to the public for the first time, including an incredible amount of research, planning, restoration, exhibit development, and infrastructure. The fundraising continues to ensure the continuation of programming, ongoing preservation, and development of new educational programs. To learn more about how you can help, see Support Our Work.
Who funded the restoration of President Lincoln’s Cottage and the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center?
Major donors to the Project include Robert H. Smith, the U.S. Congress, United Technologies Corp., Save America’s Treasures, Matthew and Ellen Simmons, the National Endowment for the Humanities, AT&T Foundation, 1772 Foundation, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, DC. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Goldman Sachs, John F.W. Rogers, Mark Taper Foundation, Textron Inc., Winnick Family Foundation, Civil War Preservation Trust, Linda B. Bruckheimer, HGTV, Kiplinger Foundation, National Park Service, PEPCO, and Tourism Cares/Trip Mate Insurance.
How can I get to President Lincoln’s Cottage?
For directions, click here. Note that while corrections have been submitted to MapQuest, Google Maps, and Verizon Superpages, some sources still list our mailing address (3700 N. Capitol Street) as our location. That address is not an entrance and is on the opposite side of campus. Visit our Directions page for details.
Is President Lincoln's Cottage part of the National Park Service?
No, President Lincoln's Cottage is not part of the National Park Service system even though it is a National Monument. The site is stewarded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC, that assumed stewardship through a cooperative agreement with the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
What makes the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center “green?”
The Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center is the first National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic Site to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building officially attained LEED Gold Certification in 2009. The National Trust for Historic Preservation rehabilitated the historic building in a way that minimized adverse environmental impact. For more information on the Visitor Education Center and the self-guided "eco tour", click here.
About the National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance, and enjoy the places that matter to them. The National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize communities, spark economic development, and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, six regional offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to a national network of people, organizations, and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history, and collectively shaping the future of America's stories.
For more information visit www.preservationnation.org.
About the Armed Forces Retirement Home
The Armed Forces Retirement Home is an independent federal agency. Through a cooperative agreement with the Home, the National Trust for Historic Preservation assumed stewardship of the restoration and operation of President Lincoln's Cottage in 2000. The Armed Forces Retirement Home campus is home to over 1,000 veterans.
For information about the AFRH, please see their website: www.afrh.gov.
