"The best way to predict the future is to create it."

—Abraham Lincoln

Just over a week ago, we gathered on a perfect July evening for Hildene's biennial Legacy Gala. The theme of the evening—legacy—was woven through every aspect of the event. As I prepared my remarks, I found myself wrestling with what that word truly means. I ultimately arrived at a simple but powerful conclusion:

Legacy is the future impact of what we choose to do today.

That understanding captures the very essence of Hildene. Nearly fifty years ago, the original Friends of Hildene made the courageous decision to preserve not only this remarkable place, but also the ideals it represents, believing both could serve generations yet to come. That same conviction has guided our work over these first months as we continue refining Hildene's public purpose.

Simply put, Hildene's greatest legacy will be the future it helps create.

The centerpiece of the evening was my conversation with the extraordinary Doris Kearns Goodwin. Throughout her distinguished career, Doris has studied what she affectionately calls her four "guys"—Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Lyndon Baines Johnson—to help us better understand our nation, our history, and ourselves.

Our conversation ranged across centuries, filled with stories and insights delivered with the wisdom, humility, empathy, and humor that have made Doris one of America's most beloved historians. The audience was captivated.

When our discussion turned toward the future, Doris offered a hopeful reminder drawn from history itself:

"If we want to move forward as a nation, it is not just the leaders who will get us there—it is the people who will make a difference."

She continued:

"We need to teach people about their responsibility as citizens, teach the value of civics, and teach teachers how to teach civics in our schools. That is the best legacy to leave behind."

Those words provided the perfect introduction to an announcement that represents an important new chapter for Hildene: the launch of the Lincoln-Hildene Civil Community Initiative.

Inspired by Abraham Lincoln's enduring example of principled leadership, the initiative will advance three priorities:

• Strengthening civil discourse in our communities.

• Expanding civic education in our schools.

• Building partnerships with mission-aligned organizations to advance shared goals.

This initiative reflects what Hildene has always sought to do at its best: use history not simply to illuminate the past, but to help shape a stronger future.

That work is already underway, and we invite you to be part of it.

One of our first programs will feature Akhil Reed Amar, one of the world's foremost constitutional scholars. His scholarship has been cited in more than fifty Supreme Court decisions across the ideological spectrum, and he is the only living Yale professor to have received the university's "triple crown"—the Sterling Chair for scholarship, the DeVane Medal for teaching, and the Lamar Award for alumni service.

Professor Amar will speak about his acclaimed new book, Born Equal: The Constitution from 1840–1920. We hope you will join us for what promises to be a fascinating and timely conversation. Please visit our website for details.