Lincoln Forum Dinner to be held at Hildene

MANCHESTER, VT - Those with an interest in Abraham Lincoln and his family are invited to gather with attendees of The Lincoln Forum Symposium at Hildene on Saturday, April 26, for dinner and a keynote by Lincoln scholar and Lincoln Forum Chairman Harold Holzer. He will present an illustrated talk on the Lincoln family's album that he discovered over 40 years ago at Hildene and which contained previously unknown pictures of the Lincolns dating from the 1850s to the 1950s.

Tickets for the Saturday evening dinner are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The weekend symposium has sold out, but organizers have reserved weekend passes to all the events, including the Saturday evening dinner and keynote for those sponsoring the event. Information on purchasing dinner tickets or sponsoring the symposium is available on the Hildene website, www.hildene.org.

This event is a great opportunity in our 120th year to bring together scholars, leaders, and those who share our passion for understanding and promoting the enduring wisdom of President Lincoln.
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"This event is a great opportunity in our 120th year to bring together scholars, leaders, and those who share our passion for understanding and promoting President Lincoln's enduring wisdom," stated Brian Keefe, president of Hildene. Keefe highlighted the significance of this year, which marks the arrival of Robert and Mary Lincoln at their Manchester home in 1905. Throughout 2025, stories and notable dates related to the Lincoln family and the nonprofit's history will be shared with visitors to the estate.

Keefe noted the dinner is part of a weekend symposium, April 25 - 27, hosted in partnership with The Lincoln Forum, a nationally renowned organization that endeavors to enhance the understanding and preserve the memory of Abraham Lincoln. "Hildene has a long association with The Lincoln Forum," he said. "Our missions align well to bring our communities together for this inspiring event." Organizers expect about 150 Lincoln historians and scholars to travel to Vermont for the symposium, an event they anticipate will be held annually at Lincoln Hall, Hildene's new programs and celebrations center.

Since 1996, the Lincoln Forum has held annual gatherings in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to coincide with the anniversary of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Over the decades attendance at the Forum has grown, attracting around 350 participants and scholars last year. For the symposium at Hildene, Harold Holzer, chair of The Lincoln Forum, and his team have curated a special series of lectures and panels focused on the Lincoln family through the generations.

“Hildene has long been one of the principal attractions and resources among homes associated with Abraham Lincoln and his family, and the Lincoln Forum family is honored and delighted to return to the site for what promises to be an extraordinary symposium,” commented Holzer.

Holzer noted The Lincoln Forum is returning to Hildene after two decades, following an earlier tradition of summertime events here. "An outstanding roster of speakers will be on hand in April, including the leading scholars on both Mary Lincoln and Robert Lincoln. We are pleased at the enthusiasm the event has generated. Hildene was where several generations of Lincolns wanted to live—and as the response to this opportunity has proven, it is where Forum members want to visit.”

The dinner and symposium will be held at Hildene's newest building, Lincoln Hall. The largest capital construction project at Hildene since Robert and Mary Lincoln built their summer home, Lincoln Hall serves as the nonprofit's hub for learning and celebration.

"Lincoln Hall is the programs and celebrations center of our beautiful property and is home to our partner engagement efforts with organizations like The Lincoln Forum, which engage with and further our mission," Keefe explained. The upper level of this long-awaited, year-round facility was completed in 2024. The next construction phase will focus on the lower level, which will include a brand-new exhibition and orientation space, meeting and conference rooms, and expanded food services.

With these facilities, Hildene envisions hosting programming focused on contemporary issues, bringing together historians, thought leaders, and innovators for public events and discussions—ensuring the Lincoln family legacy remains relevant in today’s world.

Media inquiries regarding The Lincoln Forum Symposium at Hildene, should be directed to:

The Lincoln Forum

The Lincoln Forum is an assembly of people who share a deep interest in the life and times of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era.

The Lincoln Forum