This past President's Day marked the official opening of President Lincoln's summer home. It is located about three miles from the White House on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home and was largely unknown for many years.
In the late 1990s, it was "rediscovered" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and in 2000 declared a national monument by President Clinton. The opening followed a 7 year, $15 million restoration.
It was the Camp David of its day, a place for the president and family to get away from DC for awhile. The modest, 4 bedroom, two-story, brick covered with stucco home was mentioned in a few history books, but thought to be long-gone. For years it served as the administrative offices of the retirement home.
The Lincolns used it for several years. No original Lincoln furnishings remain and no interior pictures exist, so restoration had to use the few details they had.
Some historians believe Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation here.
To Be Continued. --Old B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
