WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Celebrating Lincoln's B-Day at Hildene

Celebrating Lincoln's B-Day at Hildene

Sunday marked the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the nation's 16th President. Young visitors at Hildene, the Lincoln family estate, had the opportunity to learn about  president's lasting legacy.

"He came out of abject poverty and rose to become president," said Seth Bongartz, Hildene's Executive Director.

The story told here at Hildene, a summer home in Manchseter, built by Lincoln's son Robert, is one of triumph against all odds. "This is also emblematic of the great American success story," Bongartz said.

Lincoln, a poor boy raised in a cabin in Illinois -- which is outlined here with bricks -- seems even smaller in the shadow of the monstrous home built by his son.

"So president Lincoln -- not only did he rise and sort of save the Union and save Democracy for the world and all those other things, he also did what we all hope to do, which is make it possible for our kids to move up to do better than we did," Bongartz said.

And Sunday, Lincoln's 203rd Birthday, Children gathered for a party in his honor. Though they are young, the staff hopes to teach them of Lincoln's outlook of good works.

"He believed that he could make a difference on the issue and therefore he believed he had an obligation to make a difference, and in fact he did make a difference," Bongartz said. "For us to take those examples of civic responsibility in action and bring them into the 21st century and help live it ourselves as an institution and hopefully export it to kids -- export it to the world -- is an important role for us to play."

"I'm inspired by him," said Emma Ellis, one of the young visitors Sunday. "He makes me not want to be mean to anyone -- to be really nice to them."

And self proclaimed Lincoln lover, Ethan Sonnenborn, who had his own Lincoln- themed birthday, complete with Gettysburgers, says he learned something new today. "I would have thought it would have been torn and ripped because it's like 200 years old," he said.

One of Lincoln's famed stovepipe hats -- still in good condition and a symbol of hope and the American dream for many who visit Hildene.