It was the day before the inauguration of President Obama and I had found a unique perspective on the next day's ceremonies. I was on the third highest point in the District of Columbia on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in the northwest part of the city, Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldier’s Home National Monument.
Formerly the retreat of President Lincoln, the Gothic revival home and extensive grounds were once considered the second White House. Lincoln spent the summers of 1862 to 1864 with his family at the isolated cottage, opting to avoid the chaotic White House. It wasn't surprising that touring the summer house of the author of the Emancipation Proclamation presented many clear connections to the Inauguration of America’s first Black President.
But what provides the truly personal side of this somewhat isolated museum is the wealth of scholarship in the personal correspondence between Lincoln, his family, soldiers living on the property and ordinary citizens. Walking through the sparsely decorated home and listening to recorded readings of the young soldiers stationed at the cottage, I was quickly transported to a time in our history full of uncertainty and overwhelming odds. Looking out onto the porch wrapped around the white stucco home, I listened to the President’s private thoughts regarding the possibility and inevitable hurdles of freeing slaves across the South and five border states.
So steeped in history, I couldn't help but remember countless social studies lessons dedicated to that infamous day 1864 when thoughts took form. Words repeated more and more frequently leading up to last week's 2009 Inauguration Ceremony took on new meaning as I watched images of Black Union soldiers projected against the bare white walls of the cottage and soon-to-be freed slaves depicted laying the bricks of the Capitol, now the back drop to the swearing in of President Obama. My mind also wondered what Lincoln would think of the 44th President as I pictured America’s 16th President walking the same three miles from his secluded second home to the chaotic swamplands of the White House and continuing onto the unfinished Capitol building.
Concluding the tour and driving past the cemetery of U.S. soldiers, entombed beside the hilltop retreat, I left Lincoln’s Cottage feeling truly moved by the dedication and sacrifice that America’s Presidents, soldiers and citizens continue to make as I awaited the next day's historic inauguration of our new President.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE - http://www.lincolncottage.org/