Today we visited Mr. Lincoln's Cottage. We did so much Lincoln history in Springfield, IL, today was Washington, DC. The cottage was built in 1842 for a banker, George W. Riggs on a hilltop overlooking downtown Washington. The estate was purchased by the Federal Government for the purpose of building a home for veteran soldiers. While in Washington, the Lincoln family stayed here during the hot months. President Lincoln often commuted to the White House by horseback. He saw how the Capitol was changing during the years of the War. He made some of his momentous decisions here The cottage provided a place for him to reflect on these all-consuming decisions that needed to be made during these difficult times.
The tour was a very interesting one because the house is empty of furniture. Instead of seeing the things that made life what it was in those years, one could reflect on the emotions of the time. The tour reflects on things that were done here, decisions, mourning for his son's death, the Emancipation Proclamation. He visited with the soldiers and saw first-hand every day the impact of the Civil War.
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