Ideal for both intimate and larger events, this beautiful, historic home will inspire your guests. Our different spaces can easily accommodate intimate dinners and corporate meetings, as well as large receptions, staff appreciation field days, and more.
Proceeds help preserve this unique National Monument.
Built in 1842 by George Washington Riggs, this 34-room Gothic Revival-style mansion will give your guests something to talk about for years to come. Abraham Lincoln, who lived at the cottage at the Soldiers’ Home for a quarter of his presidency, welcomed friends, political adversaries and dignitaries in these rooms. Today it is one of the most unique venues in DC for private and corporate events.
Our spaces can easily accommodate events small and large.
The Exclusive Experience
This option provides EXCLUSIVE use of the entire historic site for the day. Have meetings or break-out sessions in the Cottage, lunch on the grounds, and ensure your vendors have plenty of time to set up for your special event.
Guests may enjoy cocktails on both floors of President Lincoln’s Cottage. Following cocktails, host an evening reception on any one of our tented lawns. The Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center and its exhibit galleries will also be open for the
duration of the event.
Tents to be reserved separately through our exclusive tenting provider.
Capacity: North Lawn 100 Guests / Visitor Center Lawn 350 Guests
Pricing starts at $5,850
16-hr Rental: $15,000 Special Limited Time Pricing
Government/Non-Profit Rate: $12,000 Special Limited Time Pricing
Cottage Cocktails and Lawn
Our most popular option!
Guests will enjoy sipping cocktails while exploring the first floor of this historic home or out under the starry sky on either the north or south lawn. They will be invited to an evening of dinner and dancing under a tent on one of our lawns.
Tents to be reserved separately through our exclusive tenting provider
Capacity: North Lawn 100 Guests / Visitor Center Lawn 350 Guests
Pricing starts at $5,850
Special limited-time pricing for an 8-hour Rental: $7,500
Full Cottage
It may be called a “Cottage,” but this spacious Gothic Revival home is an awe-inspiring Presidential retreat with 34 rooms, high ceilings, exquisite wood paneling, and periodstyle lighting. This option includes both floors of President Lincoln’s Cottage and the surrounding lawns. Guests may enjoy a cocktail reception on the first floor followed by a seated dinner upstairs, or vice versa.
Capacity: 350 Reception / 200 Seated Dinner (note – not all seating will be in one room)
For seated dinner with full room sightlines, maximum of 100 guests.
Special limited-time pricing: $8500 for an 8-hour rental
Cottage First Floor
Ideal for receptions of up to 200 guests and seated dinners of up to 120 guests, the First Floor features an elegant drawing room, dining room, parlor, library, veranda, and adjoining outdoor spaces. The mature magnolia, beautiful landscaping, and vista provide a setting of which even the discerning Mary Lincoln would approve.
Guests may enjoy drinks from an outdoor bar, roam the rooms and gardens of this historic house, and enjoy an enchanting dinner inside or under the stars.
Capacity: 200 Reception / 120 Seated Dinner (note – not all seating will be in one room) For seated dinner with full room sightlines, maximum of 100 guests.
Special limited-time pricing for an 8-hour rental: $6,500
The Emancipation Experience
President Lincoln developed the Emancipation Proclamation during his first summer in residence at the Cottage. Connect your event with this defining moment in history by picking the Emancipation Experience.
Your guests will engage with our team to explore Lincoln’s private life, presidency, and path to Emancipation. During cocktails on the first floor, our interpretive staff will be on hand to answer questions and share stories of Lincoln’s time here with guests. Dinner is served in the largest room on the second floor, where Lincoln spent much of his time drafting the Emancipation Proclamation.
Capacity: 60 Seated Dinner
Special limited-time pricing for an 8-hour Rental: $7,000
Government/Non-Profit Rate: $6,000
The Visitor Center Lawm
For large outdoor-only events, a tent may be erected on the lawn of our Beaux Arts-style visitor center. The pastoral grounds make for a charming backdrop. Restrooms are conveniently located in the visitor center.
Capacity: 350 Guests
6-hour rental: $4,000
Government/Non-Profit rate: $3,750
Tent must be reserved separately through Sugarplum Tents.
The North Lawn
For small outdoor-only events, a tent may be erected on the North Lawn adjacent to the Cottage. Having Lincoln and his horse under your tent will enchant guests for the evening. Restrooms are conveniently located in nearby Beaux Arts-style Visitor Education Center.
Capacity: 100 Guests
6-hour rental: $3,000
Government/Non-Profit Rate: $2,750
Tent must be reserved separately through Sugarplum Tents
Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center
Built in 1905 as the administration building for the Solders’ Home, this impressive Beaux Arts-style building features a gracious atrium, beautiful turn of the century tile floors, and hand carved oak woodwork.
This building provides restroom facilities for any weddings utilizing the visitor center lawn and it includes access to the adjoining exhibit galleries.
Group Program Room
Located on the lower level of our Visitor Education Center, the Group Program Room is an ideal space for comfortable meetings, classroom style workshops, working lunches and leadership retreats. The room features private restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a dual screen technology with webcam capabilities for various types of presentations. The space opens to an area of mature trees and several picnic tables.
A guided tour of President Lincoln’s Cottage may be added for an additional fee.
Capacity: 40 Guests
8-hour rental: $2,500
Government/Non-Profit Rate: $1,500
The Bandstand
This charming structure was built at the turn of the 20th century as a performance space for the Soldiers’ Home band and their weekly concerts. Today, the cast iron bandstand offers a shaded outdoor area with views of our historic campus, perfect for small luncheons and social events. Most of our guests enjoy pairing this with a private Signature tour of the Cottage.
Capacity: 25 Guests
4-hour rental: $500
Government/Non-Profit Rate: $350
Located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, President Lincoln’s Cottage has a history as a venue for Military Promotion Ceremonies. Whether it be a small ceremony or full reception, our spaces can accommodate the needs of your event while providing a fitting backdrop to your day.
Customized based on hours & location.
Ask for a quote!
Signature Cottage Tour
$12.50 per person (for groups of 10+)
With our Signature Tour, your guests will not only celebrate your special day at the Cottage, they will also appreciate the inspiration and significance of this remarkable place you chose. The vibrant, multimedia tours provide new perspectives on Lincoln’s life and the relevance of his legacy today.
Premium Tour
$30 per person (for groups of 10+)
Designed for visitors seeking a private and personalized experience at President Lincoln’s Cottage, the group is welcomed by a member of senior staff, followed by a signature tour with one of our museum educators. At the conclusion of the tour, guests enjoy a premium behind-the scenes experience
Exclusive Tour
$2,000 (for groups of up to 20)
The Exclusive Tour includes the Premium Tour with even more exceptional offerings. Not only will senior staff greet you, they will be with you throughout your experience. For example, based on availability, the Senior Preservationist may be with you to share details hidden within the Cottage. You will also be shown objects connected to Lincoln’s experience at the Cottage not usually available to the public.
It truly is exclusive!
Come see what everyone is raving about! Email [email protected] to schedule a visit today.
Our dedicated Events Manager, Kyesse Bidzimou, is here to answer any questions you might have about an upcoming event.
Interested in learning more? Email [email protected] to schedule your visit with Kyesse today.
