A fun field trip to the wonderful historic Hildene home and gardens. Robert Todd Lincoln’s estate in Manchester, VT. Peonies will be blooming! The main garden tour featuring the peonies will commence at 11 am. Lunch will be enjoyed at picnic tables on site with either a BYO or a Box lunch provided by their caterer. At 1:00 pm the horticulturalist will take us on a private one hour guided tour of the special gardens (herb, secret, see the goat, etc). Afterwards we are free to enjoy more time in the gardens, the historic home, and the gift shop. Cheese made on site from the goats milk is for sale at the gift shop.
You are encourage to visit the website for more information about the estate: https://hildene.org/
General entry for self-guided house and main garden tour is $20 per person or proof of membership at The Fells or any other member entity of the American Horticultural Society – to be paid or proof shown upon arrival at Hildene.
Payment for the catered box lunch ($26), and the private tour ($10) to be paid in advance by cash or check (made payable to Catherine Terry with Hildene in the memo line) at the SG meeting on May 13 or sent to Cathi by May 26 (PO Box 155, Sunapee, NH 03782).
Upon signing up to join this trip please fill out the form below or inform Cathi as to your travel preference/plans: 1) Need a ride, 2) Willing to drive and can accommodate # of passengers, 3) Already have a carful and who is riding with you, 4) Will drive separately due to other plans. In order to arrive with plenty of time cars must leave Sunapee promptly at 8:45 am. Hildene is 1 hour 45 minute drive away.
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Sunapee Gardeners Trip to Hildene, Manchester, VT – Monday June 9, 2025
Background:
Robert Lincoln was the only child of President and Mrs. Lincoln to survive to maturity. He and his wife Mary built Hildene as a summer home at the turn of the 20th century. They purchased 392 acres of land to build what he would call his ancestral home. At the time, Robert was president of the Pullman Company—the largest manufacturing corporation in the country.
The estate, with its Georgian revival mansion and 14 historic buildings, includes the home, formal garden and observatory; Welcome Center and The Museum Store in the historic carriage barn; 1903 Pullman car, Sunbeam; and Hildene Farm. The farm includes a solar-powered goat dairy and cheese-making facility and a teaching greenhouse, composting facility, animal barn, vegetable gardens, apple orchard, wetland boardwalk and an 1832 schoolhouse used for education programs.
Date: Monday June 9, 2025 – all day outing
Logistics:
8:30 AM: Meet at Sunapee Harbor gazebo for carpooling
8:45 AM: Depart for Hildene
11:00 AM: Meet at Hildene Welcome Center (near parking lot). Garden tour featuring peonies.
12 Noon: Lunch – BYO or buy catered lunch for $26 all inclusive (Lunch must be purchased in advance.)
1:00 PM: Horticulturalist tour of the special gardens
2:00 PM: Free to wander through house and grounds. Gift shop and rest rooms on site.
3:30- 4PM: Depart for Sunapee, depending on driver
Cost: 3 elements
- Admission to Hildene: $20 per person or proof of membership at The Fells. (Abbott Library will also reimburse members for this admission and tour up to $35 per year with receipt.)
- Guided tour = $10 per person
- Lunch (optional): $26 for a catered lunch all inclusive (see attached menu) or BYO.
Total Cost per person:
With Fells membership and lunch: $36
With Fells membership and no lunch: $10
Without Fells membership and with lunch: $56
Without Fells membership and no lunch: $30
Questions: Contact Nancy Berger at neberger123@gmail.com or 860.371.8010
