Lincoln Cottage Grounds (Current Primary Name)
Resource Identification
Name
Evaluation
AFRH-W Historic District
-
Status
- Contributing (2007-01-01)
-
Period(s) of Significance
- Corn Rigs: George W. Riggs Farm (1842-1851)
- Establishing a Balance (1883-1900)
- The Military Asylum (1851-1858)
- The Soldiers' Home (1859-1865)
- Building a Park (1866-1883)
-
Area(s) of Significance
- Landscape Architecture
-
Relative Level of Significance
- Significant (2006-10-29)
-
Quantitative Evaluation
-
Criterion A: 3 Criterion B: 0 Criterion C: 3 Criterion D: 0 National Significance: 2 Integrity: 1 Total Score: 9
Other AFRH-W Designations
none recorded
Other Designations
none recorded
Classification
NRHP Resource Type
Site (Landscape)
NRHP Resource Category
Landscape-Related
NRHP Resource Subcategory
Designed Plantings - Stand-Alone Vegetation
Wuzit (original purpose)
Specimen Trees
Important Dates
none recorded
Location
Address
none recorded
none recorded
none recorded
Primary Address
3700 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
Location Description
none recorded
none recorded
none recorded
none recorded
none recorded
Character Area
Central Grounds
none recorded none recorded none recorded none recordedAFRH-W Master Plan Zone
none recorded
AFRH Zone - Other Areas
none recorded none recorded none recordedPhase 1A Archaeological Zone
none recorded
none recorded
Zone 2
none recorded none recorded
Description
Architectural Style
n/a
Description
General Description
The land immediately surrounding the Lincoln Cottage has been a manicured yard, dotted with large specimen trees that provide privacy and shade, since the design and construction of George W. Riggs' house (Lincoln Cottage, Building 12) in 1842. Most notable are the Ginkgos (Ginkgo biloba) southwest of the cottage. An 1861 postcard depicts a view from the cottage to downtown Washington, D.C. In this image, vegetation has been selectively cleared or consciously planted to direct one's vision toward the south. Today, these plantings of specimen trees serve to visually separate the Lincoln Cottage grounds from adjacent lawns and roadways.
In 1862 Companies D and K of the 150th Pennsylvania regiment encamped at the Home, presumably around Lincoln Cottage. They were charged with the protection of their Commander in Chief. Because of their close proximity to the President, the soldiers were able to visit with the first family. Lincoln often heard the soldiers legitimate needs and complaints first-hand and was better able, he believed, to assess the state of the military. From December 1863 until the end of the Civil War on April 9, 1865, a specially recruited unit from Ohio (Union Light Guard/7th Independent Company of Ohio Voluntary Cavalry) served as the official escort for the president and is believed to have encamped around Lincoln Cottage.
Function and Use
Function
Specimen Trees/Open Space Defined by Buildings
(Current Primary Function)
Detailed Description
Form Type
none recorded
Measurements
none recorded
Components
none recorded
Modifications
none recorded
Map
Related Resources
Related Character Areas
Central Grounds (is contained within / contains)
