George Riggs, a wealthy banker, sold his 256-acre summer retreat known as “Corn Rigs” in 1851 to the U.S. government. The Gothic Revival country cottage was used as a Soldiers’ Home.
Retired soldiers moved to a larger building. President Buchanan, after receiving an invitation from the Old Soldiers’ Home, used the location three miles from the White House as a summer home.
President Lincoln and his family lived in a cottage on the property from June to November from 1862-64. The family enjoyed the peaceful beauty away from the populated capital.
Lincoln didn’t shirk his presidential duties. Cavalry troops with drawn swords accompanied his daily rides to and from the White House. This commute took him past hospitals. Past camps for former slaves. Past cemeteries. No, Lincoln could not forget his duty.
Lincoln’s family was evacuated back to the White House from the Old Soldiers’ Home in July of 1864 when Confederate General Jubal Early attacked Fort Stevens. The battle was about a mile from the Old Soldiers’ Home. President Lincoln went out to observe the battle on July 12th, a risky decision. He is the only sitting president to come under hostile fire.
Even his daily commute to his summer residence placed him in danger when a sniper tried to shoot him.
President Hayes and President Arthur also stayed at the cottage while in office.
The Soldiers’ Home is now the Washington Unit of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. President Lincoln’s Cottage is open for tours, but buy tickets in advance to reserve a spot.
-Sandra Merville Hart
Sources
“President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home,” NPS.gov, 2017/07/04 https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/lincoln_cottage.html.
“The Soldiers’ Home,” President Lincoln’s Cottage, 2017/07/04 http://www.lincolncottage.org/the-soldiers-home/.
Sandra Merville Hart 