Christmas 1912
December 4th – 29th
Step back in time to experience the home festooned with hand-crafted, elegant holiday décor of the period. The Lincoln family home will be cheerfully decorated as though it were Christmas Eve 1912 — one of three dates Mary and Robert Lincoln were in residence for the holidays at their beloved Hildene.
On weekends, talented musicians play both the organ and Steinway piano, creating an ambient atmosphere while guests enjoy the music in the background as they leisurely stroll through the house.
Saturday, December 6, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tom Salmon is the organist and Music Director of the Dorset UCC Church. He will be playing the Lincolns’
Aeolian organ.
Sunday, Dec. 7, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, and 2:00 – 4:00
pm
Rob Ellis has been performing and singing since the age of 5. He spent ten years performing on cruise ships and has worked as a ballet accompanist for over 50 companies. Rob will play the Lincolns’ Steinway piano.
Fri., Dec. 12, 10:30 am – noon, and 1 – 2 pm
Kirk B. Hartung plays the Lincolns' Aeolian organ. He served most recently as full-time Director of Music and Organist at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Norwood, MA, having played for churches in Washington State and Massachusetts for over 40 years. He received his Master of Sacred Music (MSM) degree from Boston University School of Theology.
Sat., Dec. 13, 11:00 am – 1 pm
Judy Cyr is the music director and
pianist/organist at the Peru Congregational Church in Peru, VT. Previously she has been the pianist at St. Vincent's Church in Naugatuck, CT, and has participated in music programs for Neighbor to Neighbor, Bromley Mannor and Equinox Terrace. Ms. Cyr will play the Lincolns’ Steinway piano and Aeolian organ.
Sun., Dec. 14 from 2 – 4:00 pm
Joanne Beck is a musician in private social work practice in Manchester and will play the Lincolns’ Steinway piano. She will be accompanied by Monica Schwartz, a Vermont-based bassoonist, composer, and educator who has performed with the VSO and numerous regional ensembles and previously taught for ten years on the Bassoon and Theory Faculty at the Peabody Conservatory Preparatory.
Sat., Dec. 20, 11 am – 1 pm
Gene Marie Callahan is the organist and choir director at the Old First Church of Bennington. She is the artistic director of the Battenkill Chorale and is a lecturer in Creative Arts at Siena College where
she directs the Chorus and teaches Basics of Singing. Ms. Callahan will play the Lincolns’ Aeolian organ and Steinway piano.
Sat., Dec. 20, 2 – 4 pm
Lorri Bond currently teaches piano at her private studio in Londonderry. She has been music director at The Rindge Congregational Church, Chester Congregational Church and is now the music director at The Second
Congregational Church in Londonderry. In 2023, she became director for the local choir, Nordic Harmoni, who performed at The Peru Fair and most recently, Sankta Lucia at the United Church of Dorset. Mrs. Bond will play the Lincolns’ Steinway piano and the Aeolian organ. Lorri’s daughter Evelyn Bond will accompany her mother, singing carols. She is a student at Castleton University studying early childhood education and music.
Sun., Dec. 21 and 28, 2 – 4 pm
Jeff Linebeck is the organist/choir director at both The Rupert United Methodist Church and The Congregational Church of Rupert, VT. He also has extensive experience in vocal performance and choral conducting. Mr. Linebeck will play the Lincolns’ Aeolian organ.
Members' Sip & Shop
Thursday, December 4th
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Join us for a festive evening of shopping at The Museum Store and receive 20% off. Members, if you'd like to come back and shop some more—or if you can’t make it on Thursday evening—your 20% member discount will be available from Thursday evening through Sunday, December 7!
Find a unique gift for your loved ones or yourself while supporting our nonprofit.
Bird Walk: Brown Creeper
Saturday, December 6th
9:00am - 10:30am
Meet at the Welcome Center parking lot. Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along uneven terrain on forest and meadow trails and around the main house. No registration required. Questions? Contact Stephanie at (802) 367-7960.
Seeing a Brown Creeper is always special! This slim bird, with a brown speckled back and white front, probes for insects in crevices of a tree trunk with its slender, downcurved bill. It uses its long, spine-tipped tail as a balancing tool. Brown Creepers build their hammock-shaped nests behind peeling flakes of bark. Sometimes hearing their high pitched, thin call is the only indication that Brown Creepers are about. They live throughout the U.S. and are year-round residents in Vermont.
Members Only! Early Access: Christmas 1912
Saturday, December 6th
9:00am - 10:00am
Join us one hour before we open to the public to see the Lincoln Family home beautifully decorated as though it were Christmas Eve 1912 — one of three dates Mary and Robert Lincoln were in residence for the holidays at their beloved Hildene. Check-in is required at the Welcome Center. Members are welcome to bring guests with a Hildene guest pass. No need to RSVP.
For more information, contact Christine at 802-367-7964 or send an email.
For the Birds! Program for Children & Families
Saturday, December 13th
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Learn how to make nutritious suet & seed donuts for our fine-feathered friends and enjoy a guided bird walk to see who is flitting about in our winter gardens.
Appropriate for young learners ages 6 and up, children must be accompanied by an adult.
$15 Member Children / $20 Non-member Children, which includes materials fee. Their adults are free.
Registration is required by Thursday, December 11th, by calling Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or clicking the button below.
Felting Workshop: Ornaments and Snowmen!
Sunday, December 14th
1:00pm - 3:00pm
New this year: Learn to felt both ornaments and darling snowmen figures, using a mix of roving from Hildene’s flock of Corriedale sheep and Huacaya alpaca. Handmade items make lovely gifts as well as cheerful decorations.
$40 Members / $50 Non-members, which includes materials fee.
Appropriate for adults and young adults. Limited to 15 participants. Preregistration required by Wednesday, December 10th.
