Armed Forces Retirement Home Historic District: The 272-acre Armed Forces Retirement Home Historic District represents an early American military asylum.
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The Armed Forces Retirement Home Historic District includes a collection of 19th- and early-20th-century buildings, as well as an extensive historic landscapes. Dating from 1842 to 1951, the focal point is Lincoln Cottage, the centerpiece of the property. The Gothic Revival-style cottage was originally known as Corn Rigs, as it was built between 1842 and 1843 for George Riggs. In 1852, following a push to establish a soldiers' home in DC, Congress purchased the cottage to use as a home for retired and disabled U.S. Army Veterans. The asylum continued to develop with the construction of surrounding buildings in the years that followed. In addition to the buildings, the historic grounds -- and the statuary and war relics that decorate them -- comprise part of the historic district.
The historic district includes 140 contributing properties, as well as Soldiers’ Home National Historic Site (United States Military Asylum). Lincoln Cottage has been designated a National Monument.
DC Inventory: May 22, 2008
National Register: December 5, 2007
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Bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln and his horse at the Lincoln Summer Home located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in northwest Washington, D.C.
The sculptors are Stuart Williamson and Jiwoong Cheh; working for the design shop StudioIES in Brooklyn; New York. The statue differs from so many others of Abe in that this one actually shows him with a slight smile; as if Lincoln is greeting a valued friend or relative upon arrival at his summer home. | Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA | Date: 2008 November 24
Peace and sunshine at the Soldiers' Home, for war-worn veterans, Washington, U.S.A.
Stereograph showing family lounging on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. | Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA | Date: 1904 May 24
Soldier's Home, Washington, D.C.
Print shows Dr. King's residence, the President's villa, the military governor's house, and the soldier's home, established in 1851 and later known as the Armed Forces Retirement Home. "During the Civil War, President Lincoln and his family resided here from June to November of 1862, 1863, and 1864." (Source: President Lincoln's Cottage Web site, 2011) | Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA | Date: published by Chas. Magnus, 12 Frankfort St., N.Y. and 580 7th St., Washington, D.C. c1863.