The Lincoln cottage

WASHINGTON — Until now, a summer cottage three miles from the White House where Abraham Lincoln paced the floors, contemplating the end of slavery, was largely unknown to the public.

Few locals knew it was still standing on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, and tourists searching for Lincoln sites in the nation's capital were far more likely to stop by the Lincoln Memorial or Ford's Theatre, where the 16th president was assassinated.

But in the late 1990s, the house was "rediscovered" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and, in 2000, declared a national monument by President Bill Clinton. Now, after a seven-year, $15 million restoration, President Lincoln's Cottage at the Soldiers' Home is set to open to the public for the first time — on Presidents Day, Feb. 18.

"This is one of those places that is kind of hidden in plain sight, and yet it's one of the most significant historic sites," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Like other Lincoln enthusiasts, Moe had heard of the president's summer wartime retreat — the Camp David of its day, mentioned in a few history books — but thought it was long gone. Then a friend showed him the home in 1998. It was structurally sound and had housed administrative offices for the veterans' home.

Lincoln's cottage had been located on a sprawling property landscaped with trees from around the world and surrounded by farms. It was a modest, four-bedroom, two-story home, made of brick, covered with stucco. Historians say the Lincoln family used the summer home for several years of the presidency, including during the Civil War.

But until recently, little was known about what took place inside the home due to sparse information in government records. Instead, much of the available history has been pieced together from diaries, letters and newspaper accounts. Many of these details have been compiled in a 2003 book, "Lincoln's Sanctuary: Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers' Home," by historian Matthew Pinsker.

Also missing were actual furnishings from the home — or even interior pictures that would have helped curators recreate most of the 1860s decor for visitors. So curators had to make do with the few details they had, which allowed them to re-create curtains, carpet and other items. They secured some furnishings from the Civil War era and a replica of Lincoln's desk, based on the original kept at the White House.

"This is a different kind of historic house," said Frank Milligan, director of the new museum. "Don't go in there looking for the bed that Lincoln slept in."