Welcoming Leaders to Hildene: A Tradition Rooted in the Lincoln Family

On December 10, 2025, Governor Phil Scott and his cabinet stepped into the early 1900s as they started their “Capital for a Day” at Hildene. The group met to share their goals for their later dispersal into Bennington County, when they planned to listen to and connect with local businesses and organizations to strengthen the region.

With an early morning arrival, the governor and his cabinet scheduled time to tour Hildene Farm and Robert and Mary’s home and grounds to learn about the Lincoln family, their connections to Vermont, and how they engaged with the local community. It seemed to be a fitting start to their day, which was focused on listening, leadership, and community connections.

After a round of handshakes, we began our tour in Hildene’s parlor, a space likely used by the Lincolns to welcome guests of their own. The bright morning light filled each room, freshly decorated as if it were Christmas Eve of 1912. We spent the most time reviewing the Lincoln family tree and understanding the Lincolns’ multi-generational use of this property. There was, of course, a discussion of Robert’s numerous government positions and what they entailed. The group was especially curious about the Lincoln family's ties to Vermont, how they got here, and what kept them coming back. Docent Tom expertly interpreted the Aeolian pipe organ and treated the group to a festive self-playing tune, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. It was rewarding to see the Governor and his colleagues light up when the music filled the space. Before moving away from the parlor and front hall, it was especially important to me that we spend time early on to acknowledge the true Vermont spirit in the original Friends of Hildene, who voluntarily came together to preserve the property in the 1970s.

As we made our way through each room, we explored the Lincolns’ many interests in architecture, history, landscape, agriculture, astronomy, music, art, and education. Before concluding, we reflected on those topics and the various ways that we live the Lincolns’ legacy today by strategically incorporating them into all aspects of the guest experience.

After they toured the home and a couple of photographs, the group reconvened in our new event space to review plans and discuss objectives for the rest of their day. Situated near the west end of Lincoln Hall, members of the public and press, along with some Hildene staff, were also present. With a dramatic view of Mt. Equinox as the backdrop, the meeting finished around 10:30 AM when the group broke up to visit multiple sites in the area. Some of their destinations included Squire House, Mack Molding, and Orvis.

Although the Lincolns designed Hildene in a way that prioritized privacy and retreat, it was hard not to imagine the many other notable guests who have enjoyed this very same place in the past. We are proud to have a history of hosting Governors at Hildene, a tradition started with the Lincolns in their earliest moments of residing in Manchester. In 1908, Robert invited Vermont Governor John. G. McCullough, who essentially lived down the road in North Bennington. McCullough did not make it to Hildene, but he and Robert did correspond via numerous letters. Some officials did make it here, like President William Howard Taft, who visited Hildene for the first time in 1912, and New York Governor Alfred E. Smith, who received and accepted a private invitation to visit with Robert in 1923. Since the Friends of Hildene opened to the public in 1979, we have seen many more notable visitors, including Vermont Governors George Aiken and Howard Dean. For Governor Scott, this visit was his first, and hopefully the first of many.

While reflecting on the whole experience, I keep coming back to the last few moments of the house tour. As my time with this group came to a close, I found it most appropriate to conclude with the American Ideal exhibit. Greeted by the bust of Thomas Jefferson, we talked through the American ideals together. We pondered what it might have been like for President Lincoln to have to address a nation so deeply torn and wounded by the horrors of their circumstances. I “translated” and broke down the speech into a couple of main focal points. Like the Second Inaugural Address itself, we ended with a cautious yet optimistic tone. Of course, the crew marveled at our prized possessions in this room, but I could tell they also understood the importance and urgency of Lincoln’s words, which still ring true and continue to inspire unity 160 years later. I hope that these reflections on the Lincoln legacy helped set the tone for the day as they continued their day of leadership and service in Bennington County.

It was an honor to host a tour like this, surrounded by people who work regularly to shape the place we call home, and a unique sensation to have the same dialogue with these lawmakers and officials as I would with any other first-time guest. This tells me we are doing something right. Serving as a good reminder of the lasting effects of the family’s legacy, for me, this experience reinforced President Lincoln’s unique ability to connect people using the power of words, along with our role of connecting people through our use and stewardship of the Lincoln family home.

Sincerely,

Gary Parzych

Exhibitions & Collections Manager