Doris Kearns Goodwin in conversation with Hildene President Craig Gemmell
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Few figures illuminate the American story with the depth, humanity, and insight of Doris Kearns Goodwin. Hildene is honored to welcome the world-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times #1 best-selling author for an unforgettable evening where history, ideas, and purpose come together.
Set against the timeless beauty of Hildene, The Legacy Gala will support the future of this special place by helping expand programs, deepen interpretation, and strengthen Hildene’s role as a place of learning and inspiration for generations to come.
5:30 pm
• Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres in the Formal Garden
7:00 pm
• Dinner & Dessert in Lincoln Hall
• Welcoming Remarks by Bob Hallenbeck, Chair of the Board of Trustees
• Evening Hosted by Craig Gemmell
• Music by Goodwin String Thing, Michael E. Goodwin
• Doris Kearns Goodwin in conversation with Craig Gemmell
9:00 pm
• Live Auction & Live Appeal
• Celebratory Toast & Closing Song
Morning Magic in The Dene
The sun rises over the mountain, roosters crow, dew sparkles on the grass like tiny fairy lights, and animals stretch and venture outdoors as the farm awakens to a new day. Morning in the Dene is pure magic.
Gather your favorite people for a one-of-a-kind Hildene Farm experience beginning at the Dene greenhouse with pastries, fresh coffee, and juice. While your table is being prepared, you and your guests are invited to wander the gardens with Hildene Farm Gardens Manager & Educator, Ann Ogden Hausslein, before sitting down to a beautiful farm-fresh buffet brunch, thoughtfully prepared by Chef Erik Peckel. The menu will feature an array of savory and sweet seasonal offerings, including fresh cheeses, a homemade berry pie, and your choice of a morning cocktail. After brunch, stroll to the animal barn, meet the farm animals, and collect fresh eggs to take home — a charming ending to a relaxed, delicious, and distinctly Hildene morning.
Up to 12 guests | Summer 2026 or 2027 | 3 hours
Picnic, Pimm’s, and a Perfect Summer Day
Step into a more leisurely era and experience the timeless pleasures of summer at Hildene. With mountain views, clinking glasses, and croquet on the estate’s front lawn, this perfect afternoon is a celebration of relaxed elegance and simple joys.
Gather your guests for a Victorian-style buffet picnic featuring seasonal fare by Julia Paul Culinary. Sip a Pimm’s Cup, refreshing spritzer, or fresh-squeezed lemonade as you enjoy the summer sky and linger over your culinary delights. Ease into croquet and other timeless lawn games – or raise the stakes with your own friendly croquet tournament. Unhurried, festive, and filled with good cheer, this is summer entertaining at its finest and an experience your guests won’t soon forget.
Up to 12 guests | Summer 2026 or 2027 | 3 hours
G. O. A. T. Barnyard Party
As the sun begins to dip behind the Green Mountains, Hildene Farm comes alive with the easy rhythm of a Vermont summer evening. Surrounded by rolling pastures, gorgeous views, and the famous Hildene Nubian goats, the G.O.A.T. Barnyard Party is equal parts rustic charm and refined gathering.
Spend an unforgettable evening at Hildene’s goat dairy & creamery beginning with a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the creamery led by Hildene’s farm manager and cheese maker. Discover the artistry behind Hildene’s award-winning cheeses while enjoying a tasting of other local artisan cheeses paired with Vermont craft beers and ciders. Afterwards, gather in the open-air pavilion where Chef Amy Chamberlain will serve a beautifully prepared family-style dinner accompanied by thoughtfully selected wine pairings. This very special evening is Hildene at its most inviting—an experience to savor from first sip to sunset.
Up to 12 guests | Summer 2026 or 2027 | 3 hours
All Aboard! Dinner on the Pullman Sunbeam
Step back into the golden age of rail travel and experience an evening of timeless elegance aboard Hildene’s historic Pullman car, Sunbeam. With polished brass, candlelight, and the quiet romance of the rails, this extraordinary dinner evokes an era when travel itself was an occasion.
Begin the evening on the train platform with a signature cocktail and hors d’oeuvres while learning about the history of the Pullman Company, the Sunbeam, and the dedicated porters whose impeccable service helped define luxury rail travel in America. Then step aboard for a chef-inspired three-course dinner with a wine pairing prepared by Michel Baumann, former chef and co-owner, with his wife Melanie, of Dorset’s beloved Chantecleer Restaurant. As the courses unfold, guests will be transported to another time filled with exquisite food, rich conversation, and the lingering charm of a bygone era. Elegant, intimate, and unmistakably Hildene, this is an evening designed to be savored long after the final course is served.
Up to 8 guests | Summer 2026 or 2027 | 3 hours
Holiday Dinner in the Lincoln Family Home
Step into the warmth and wonder of Christmas at Hildene. Beautifully decorated for the holidays and glowing with candlelight and crackling fires,
the Lincoln family home is transformed into the enchanting setting of Christmas Eve, 1912.
Treat yourself and your guests to an unforgettable evening beginning with cheese and charcuterie, accompanied by two signature cocktails of your choice. Then gather for a chef-inspired, three-course dinner with thoughtfully selected wine pairings, catered by Pangaea. To deepen the experience, guests may also enjoy a docent-led tour of the beautifully decorated home and its treasured holiday traditions. Elegant, intimate, and filled with the magic of the season, this is the kind of evening that becomes part of family lore — a holiday memory to cherish for years to come.
Up to 12 guests | Available while the house is decorated in December 2026, starting December 3, excluding December 24, 25, and 31 | 3 hours
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Hildene will work with each winning bidder and catering partner to arrange a mutually agreeable date and time, which may occur during regular operating hours. Auction items are non-transferable and may not be redeemed for cash or substituted for alternate offerings. All experiences will be conducted in a manner that prioritizes the care, safety, and preservation of Hildene’s collections, historic spaces, and grounds.
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