Washington, D.C. – On September 17th President Lincoln’s Cottage will welcome athletes, friends, and the Petworth community to an annual Homecoming celebration. The day will be comprised of three parts: a morning Freedom 5K, a free Family Day, and a performance by the Petworth Jazz Project.
The Freedom 5K in the morning offers local runners a unique opportunity to view the historic campus of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The rustic course winds past ponds and historic buildings and is not usually open to the public. “Lincoln loved to explore these grounds. We know he rode the campus on the day before he died. This is the one day a year the public has the opportunity to access parts of this land Lincoln loved” said CEO and Executive Director of President Lincoln’s Cottage, Michael Atwood Mason. “Anyone who likes to run in DC should not miss this opportunity.”
Following the race, there is a free Family Day on the South Lawn of the Cottage. This portion of the day will allow the community to engage with the grounds in a similar way to Tad Lincoln, Lincoln’s youngest son who lived at the Cottage. As Mason explained, “We want local kids to enjoy Tad’s favorite activities: riding ponies, playing with animals (there will be a petting zoo), running races (there will be a Tot Dash), playing lawn games (including checkers—Tad’s favorite), and hearing stories.” Abraham Lincoln was famously an animal lover, so the petting zoo and pony rides are also a nod to him. There will also be face painting and arts and crafts projects.
After the games are over, the fun will continue with a family-friendly performance by the Petworth Jazz Project from 3-6pm featuring DC music legend Corcoran Holt. “This is our first time partnering with the Petworth Jazz Project, and we are thrilled about this new community partnership,” said Mason.
Photo by Aimee Custis
Media contact: Rebecca Kilborne
Categories:Press Releases
