By Craig Gemmell

My early memories of school in the 1970s include Presidents’ Day: eating cherry pie, wearing a proud construction-paper stovepipe hat, and sitting through a long school assembly. The holiday was meant to honor the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Though it falls on the third Monday in February—between Lincoln’s February 12th birthday and Washington’s—it has long stood as a shared tribute to both.

Over time, its meaning has widened. Today, Presidents’ Day invites reflection not only on Washington and Lincoln, but on public service, the presidency, and the legacy of the forty-five men who have served across forty-seven presidencies.

At Hildene, we live this holiday every day. In Robert and Mary Lincoln’s home, we dedicate space to Abraham Lincoln’s remarkable Second Inaugural Address. For decades, eighth graders from across Vermont have participated in our Lincoln Essay Contest, connecting their own lives to the enduring questions of democracy. Through the Lincoln Forum, scholars gather to deepen our understanding of Lincoln’s presidency and the broader Lincoln family legacy.

This year, our staff has been thinking carefully about Hildene’s path forward. As we expand the reach of our youth, horticultural, agricultural, and environmental programs, we are also asking how we might more fully engage our guests in the story of our nation—past, present, and future. Several questions guide us. Might the Lincoln family’s American story, beginning in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1635, offer a lens through which to explore the nation’s formation and evolution? In a divided time, can Hildene be a place where thoughtful voices help us understand the value of engaging across differences? And as civic literacy grows ever more essential, can we strengthen civics education here, in Vermont schools, and beyond?

These questions energize us—and we know we must answer them well. As Abraham Lincoln reminds us, “Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” If we take care to ask the right questions as we chart our future, we will build a strong foundation on which to stand—and to rise.

And rise we must. We owe that commitment to those who came before us—the Lincolns and the original Friends of Hildene—who entrusted us with extraordinary physical and philosophical gifts. And we owe it just as deeply to those who will follow. Our responsibility is not only to preserve what we have inherited, but to carry it forward with clarity, courage, and purpose.

I welcome the opportunity to speak with Hildene members about our questions and theirs—please share your thoughts when you see me on property or reach out by email. 

With gratitude for your steadfast support of this remarkable place,

Craig Gemmell
President