Serving a dual purpose as both luggage and storage, steamer trunks were a common sight for the Lincoln family. One can imagine the many trips the Lincolns took between England, Illinois, Iowa, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., in which they would have employed large steamer trunks to keep their clothes and valuables safe. Later in his life, Robert was known to carry more than just clothing in his trunks. Taking seriously his role as the guardian of the Lincoln legacy, Robert often carried around several large trunks filled with his father‘s papers from Washington, D.C. to Hildene and back as the family traveled.

Hildene still has several steamer trunks that belonged to the family, one of which (pictured above) was recently displayed at Hildene’s first artifact fair as part of the Lincoln Forum Spring Symposium that was held here last month.  Astute guests may also spot a few of Robert‘s trunks on display throughout their home, one of which is in his bedroom on the first floor. Many of Robert‘s trunks can be identified by his initials “R.T.L.” stenciled in large font on the sides.

It was a pleasant surprise to learn from someone at the Artifact Fair that they knew the location of another “R.T.L.” steamer trunk. The owner of this trunk (pictured below) recalled receiving it as a young man as a gift from his mother, who purchased it at a Hildene sale or auction in the 1970s.

For almost 50 years, he was a careful steward of his cherished “R.T.L.” artifact, using it mostly as storage. After some conversation with Hildene about the trunk, he kindly made it the newest addition to our Archival Collection. In the process of gifting it back to Hildene, he shared with us many stories about the trunk; including a memory of the many shipping labels that were once adhered to the outside (some of which are still in place). The most notable label that he remembers, but is no longer there, was one from the White Star Line, the same British shipping line that operated the Oceanic, the Olympic, and perhaps most famously, the Titanic.

So, it appears that we have another big research project ahead of us, to see what else we can find out about the life this trunk, which lived for so many years “just down the road” from Hildene. We have also started researching the remaining shipping labels, and of course, the Lincolns connection to the White Star Line of ships. As answers begin to emerge about the history of the trunk, they will be logged into our files on the object, as we do with all the items in our archival collection.

We extend sincere gratitude to the donor of this item for the many years of care, and for the donation back to Hildene. Do you have anything that came from Robert Lincoln or his descendants that you’d like us to know about? If so, please email our Exhibits and Collections Director, Gary Parzych.