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Manchester, Vermont

Always Wear A Helmet

Manchester, Vermont, (Routes 7A and 11/30) has become the designer outlet shopping mecca of Vermont. Some of the more famous names include Maidenform, Orvis, Lands End, Coach, Giorgio Armani, Baccarat, Polo Ralph Lauren, Dansk, Godiva, Calvin Klein, J. Crew, OshKosh B'gosh, Timberland. While I have not biked here from Townshend (I have biked to Jamaica and back), it's not impossible - there are, however, a large number of hills heading West. If you like hills, you'll love this trip. You'll pass Stratton Mountain ski area and come very close to Bromley Mountain ski area as you make a left turn toward Manchester. I drive into Manchester, find a spot for my car in one of the outlet parking areas, then bicycle around the area.

Long Ago and Far Away
Betsy and Grant Turner
Historic Main Street
Green Mountain Village Shops
Manchester Center
(802) 362-3435
www.LongAgoandFarAway.com
www.vtweb.com/nativeart

Collector-level Canadian Inuit sculpture and Native American art. Native jewelry, art, weavings and crafts from the Equator to the Canadian Arctic. Top local artisans featured.

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Manchester has a number of very good restaurants such as Ye Olde Tavern and the Mexican Cantina (enjoy outside dining and watch all the tourists go by).

Typical Vermont Country Store in the center of town.	Manchester Square, one of the many shopping areas.

Falls are located in the center of town adjacent to a small park where you can have a picnic lunch or just relax and recover from a hard day's shopping.	Ye Olde Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Shoppe
	The Equinox Inn today (where Mrs. Abraham Lincoln vacationed with her children)

Battenkill Sports Bicycle Shop 1240 Depot Street, Intersection Routes 7 and 11 / 30 Manchester, VT Sales - Service - Rentals Immediate Tourist Repairs (802) 362-2734 or 800-340-2734 Website: http://www.battenkillbicycle.com	Owner Robin Verner hard at work
	I liked the sign!

Robert Todd Lincoln's Hildene

Robert Todd Lincoln first visited Manchester as a young man when he came to the Equinox Hotel with his mother in the summer of 1863. (President Lincoln was to join his wife and son for a vacation in 1864, but was assassinated earlier in that year.) Some forty years later Robert returned to purchase a large tract of land on which to build his summer home.

The Lincoln Family Home

The main house (a 24-room Georgian Revival mansion) was built at the turn of the century as the summer home for Robert Todd Lincoln and his family. Robert was the only son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to maturity. Many family possessions are on display, and most of the furnishings are those used by the Lincoln family for nearly 75 years.


Front of Hildene	Gardens in the rear of the house. Weddings are held here almost every weekend.

Installed in 1908, the Aeolian Organ, with its 1000 pipes, is played for each tour.	In addition to the above pipes, the front two pillars at the entranceway of the home are hollow and also used to play the organ.

Robert Todd Lincoln's Office (furnished similar to a pullman car, a business with which he was heavily involved)	Robert Todd Lincoln's Secretary's office where all records were maintained.

The Lincoln Bedroom	Dining room (Robert Todd Lincoln's portrait above fireplace)

Men's parlor where Mr. Lincoln would meet with his friends and business associates	Kitchen with restaurant-sized cast iron stove.

Pantry (the flowers throughout the house are brought in by people from the Manchester area at no charge)	Working refrigerator (this is where all the current staff keep their lunches!)

Mary (Peggy) Beckwith, 1898 - 1975 (last descendent of Lincoln - she never married) Peggy's studio. She was a very talented lady - sewing, painting, sculpture, writing, photography. She also flew her own plane.	Guest room (also called the Taft room for President Taft who was a frequent visitor here - photo on dresser is that of President Taft)

Ladies Parlor

Peggy's bedroom.	Children's room with sleigh bed.

Some of the Special Events during the season:

Hildene Antique and Classic Car Show - This is usually held the second weekend in June and is one of the best antique auto shows I've been to. Antique and classic cars and vintage trucks are on display. Flea market, "for sale" corral, toy car show, parade, food vendors. Car pre-registration fee is $8. Day-of-show registration is $!5. Spectator admission is $5. Children under 12 free.

Polo - Saturday matches once a month from June to September, polo teams compete for the Equinox Cup and a $1000 purse.

Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Picnicking and Pops Concert - the Saturday of the 4th of July weekend. Fireworks complete the evening. Please call 1-800-VSO-9293 for times and prices.

Washington County Band Concert - Second Saturday in July. Grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking; concert begins at 7:00 p.m. Free admission.

Summer Antiques Festival - July 15, 2000. Select dealers and recognized experts from the East Coast, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Admission.

Southern Vermont Art and Fine Craft Fair - August 4, 5 and 6. Admission.

Robert D. Thum Memorial Concert - Monday, August 14, 2000. The Wood's Tea Company, known for their hearty blend of Maritime, American and Celtic folk music. Grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. Concert begins at 7:00 p.m. Free admission.

Hildene Foliage Antiques Festival - September 23, Saturday. Admission.

Hildene Foliage Art and Fine Craft Festival - September 29, 30 and October 1. Admission.

Hildene Farm, Food and Folk Art Fair - October 7 and 8.

Thanksgiving Weekend at Hildene - November 24, 25 and 26. Admission $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 14.

Opening day at Hildene is May 15th. It's open seven days a week, including holidays, through October 31. Tours (lasting just over an hour0 start every half hour from 9:30 a.m., with the last tour beginning at 4:00 p.m. Admission fee (200) is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-14.