DIRECTOR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
As the year comes to a close, I enjoy reflecting on all we have accomplished thanks to your support and encouragement, as well as the dedicated professionals we have here at the Cottage. President Lincoln’s Cottage has always used the latest scholarship to share stories of Abraham Lincoln that provide new perspectives on his life and legacy. What has truly set us apart is not only what we do, but how and why we do it. We live our mission — a mission that goes beyond great scholarship, programming, and preservation — because we see what is at stake in our world today. Our mission includes a call to action — Lincoln’s call to action — to take up the unfinished work of advancing our democracy. Your support makes this possible. Thank you.
With your support last year, we invested in existing, award-winning programs and launched three new initiatives:
- Q & Abe, our podcast that dives deep on real visitor questions;
- The Open Field Project, our newest distance learning program for K-12 students; and
- Social Studies, a pre-kindergarten program that builds social and emotional intelligence and relationship skills — attributes that made Lincoln a successful leader.
We also completed critical restoration on the Cottage’s west balcony, pathways, and cast-iron veranda stairs, to maintain safe access to Lincoln’s home. Together, we can build on this momentum in 2020. We have already begun work on a ground-breaking exhibit on grief and child loss — inspired by the Lincolns’ experience here — that will open in 2020. We’re also collaborating with the Justice Arts Coalition in January. And we are preparing to restore the Cottage vestibule, which will be a dramatic change to the visitor experience.
As the only National Monument in the country without federal operating support, we rely on our supporters who share both our conviction that this authentic, historical place has power, as well as our vision that together we can work to make this a more free, more just, more equal — indeed, a more perfect —Union.
Wishing you peace and progress in 2020,
-Erin
A Lincoln-themed Crossword Puzzle: Abe’s Many Monikers
December 21st is Crossword Puzzle Day, and we have you covered with this abe-jectively fun crossword. Click here.
Store Spotlight
12 Days of Cottage Gifts*
*To be belted out to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas
You can find all of these items AND MORE at our fabulous Cottage store. Check online, visit us in person, or call 202-829-0436 ext. 0 to place an order today. We are open daily from 9:30am-4:30pm.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Social Studies for Early Learners Click here to register
- Saturday, December 14, 10-11am
- Tuesday, December 17th, 10-11am
Our new initiative, Social Studies, encourages the development of social and emotional intelligence through games, interactive play, and stories in our youngest learners. Our December program includes:
- Group reading of Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us by New York Times Best Selling Author Kobi Yamada and Illustrated by Gabriella Barouch
- A crafting project to create a keepsake to store hopes and dreams
- An interactive activity to engage the imagination
UPCOMING SPECIAL EXHIBITS
Civil War Boys, Robert H. Smith Visitor Center
Beginning Friday, December 20th we will be highlighting prints and other objects from our collection by interpreting them through the hit song “Boys” — a retro funk song from soulful, popular singer, Lizzo. See her ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ on NPR here.
Art Exhibit in Partnership with The Justice Arts Coalition, President Lincoln’s Cottage
Beginning Tuesday January 7th, we are partnering with the Justice Arts Coalition to exhibit artwork inside Lincoln’s Cottage from artists who have been incarcerated. The Justice Arts Coalition unites teaching artists, arts advocates, incarcerated artists, and their loved ones in an effort to build and support a common agenda and provide a unique voice in public dialogue around the intersection of the arts and justice.
There’s Still Time to Purchase ‘The Lincoln Slipper’ before the Holidays!
Developed in partnership with luxury slipper purveyor Stubbs and Wootton, these custom-made slippers, featuring an embroidered animal motif, are inspired by Lincoln’s own pair of slippers, currently on exhibit at the Cottage. Historical accounts describe him pacing the Cottage floors in his embroidered slippers, and now you can pace around your own house in a similar pair. Slippers are available for purchase in your choice of natural linen, flax linen, or black velvet. All proceeds benefit the mission of President Lincoln’s Cottage.
[button link=”https://www.lincolncottage.org/the-lincoln-slipper/” bgColor=”#000000″ textColor=”#000000″]Click here to purchase[/button]
Questions? Call 202-829-0436 ext. 0 between 9:30am-4:30pm or visit our Museum Store, where you can also see samples. Please allow 6-8 weeks for production and delivery.
Click here for more information about Lincoln’s slippers.
Holiday Experiences at the Cottage
Tour Lincoln’s Cottage over the Holidays
Looking for a unique experience to share with your family over the holidays? Join us for our award-winning tours which offer a refreshing, thought-provoking look at President Lincoln through stories of his time here at the Cottage. All frontline staff participate in ongoing training to engage all age levels to ensure that our tours are reflective, intergenerational experiences. Tours are offered every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day when our offices will be closed. Advanced purchase strongly advised.
The Trailer for Q & Abe Season 2 Available
Our second season of Q & Abe will drop in January, and you can listen to the trailer here:
Our first season is available in its entirety.
Be sure to subscribe wherever you download podcasts: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher / Google Podcasts
News and Awards
- Washington Parent wrote an article on the Cottage as a place of reflection that focused on our new social studies program.
- The Baltimore Sun mentioned our museum store as a place to shop on Museum Store Sunday.
- Tennessean.com discussed our innovative programming in an article on recent rise in popularity of historic sites.
- The Washington Post listed our Two Faces Comedy Series as a recommended activity in their going out guide.
- Bisnow wrote an article on upcoming development plans on our campus.
SUPPORT PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S COTTAGE
Support our educational programs, preservation efforts and public events by making a contribution to President Lincoln’s Cottage. Donate online today
Categories:Archive, Newsletter
Tags:e-newsletter, lincoln, Lincoln Slipper, ornament, Q&abe
