A Summer Night at Hildene
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Experience the storied elegance of the Lincoln family legacy during an intimate, after-hours journey through the breathtaking 412-acre estate of Hildene. We invite you to step back in time for a curated evening of historical grandeur, agricultural wonder and refined flavors.
Exploration Backpack Program
June – October
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
This program is free with admission.
Looking for a fun way to nurture your child’s appreciation for the natural world? Check out our self-guided Into the Woods exploration backpack which contains all the essential tools and activity cards for discovery. Through a series of stops along a Hildene trail, children will engage in hands-on forest activities. Suggested for ages 5 to 10, the adventure is intended to take between 1- 2 hours. The pack is designed for 1 to 3 children, but more could participate if they are willing to share tools. This experience is free with admission. While packs may be checked out from The Museum Store, it is recommended that you reserve one in advance by contacting Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click here.
Parlor Music at Hildene: An Intimate Summer Evening in the Lincoln Family Home
SOLD OUT
Tuesday, August 4th
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
This program requires registration, and does not include admission for the day.
Treat yourself to a summer evening of piano, harp, and organ music as award-winning musicians Rachel Clemente and Dr. Alastair Stout bring the Lincoln family’s instruments to life in the intimate setting of the Lincolns’ home overlooking their formal garden in full bloom. A fitting nod to Mary Harlan Lincoln who was classically trained on harp and piano and to Robert who delighted in playing the Aeolian organ, this is a rare opportunity for audience members to experience an evening of music much as the Lincolns may have enjoyed it in their home. Hildene's Exhibits and Collections Director, Gary Parzych, will share some stories about the Lincolns to accompany the music. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required, and seating is limited. Admission is by donation. All proceeds benefit Hildene’s Organ Restoration Fund.
Questions? Contact Stephanie.
Bird Walk
Saturday, August 8th
7:00 am - 9:30 am
This program is free and does not require admission. Appropriate for teens and adults.
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 or click to email.
Bird Note: Belted Kingfisher
August is the “finishing” month—time for birds to finish raising young, fatten up for migration, and prepare to leave Vermont’s breeding grounds. While many species look quite different from the birds we saw in spring, the Belted Kingfisher remains easy to recognize by its size, plumage, and loud rattling call.
Common along lakes, ponds, and streams, this white-breasted bird has a bluish-gray back, crest, and collar. One of the few bird species in which the female is more colorful than the male, she sports an additional rusty-brown belt across her belly. Watch for kingfishers perched over water or hovering before plunging headfirst to catch fish. Though many migrate south for winter, some remain in northern areas as long as the water stays open.
Akhil Reed Amar on Birth Equality and the US Constitution
Wednesday, August 12th
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Renowned constitutional scholar and bestselling author Akhil Reed Amar will offer a wide-angled and in-depth approach to understanding America’s ever-evolving journey to live up to its central founding moral principle that all people are created equal. On August 12, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30pm, the Yale Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science — whose scholarship is often cited by Supreme Court Justices across the ideological spectrum — will explore the enduring relevance of the Constitution. As Americans grapple with fundamental questions about democracy and equality, this timely conversation continues Hildene’s commitment to fostering thoughtful public dialogue and civic engagement. The first 50 registrants will receive a copy of the second book in Amar’s trilogy, the recently published and highly praised Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840–1920.
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm: Talk
6:45 pm - 7:00 pm: Q&A
7:05 pm – 7:30 pm: Book Personalizing
