Q & Abe

For this episode, we're exploring a question from a young person surprised to see another fireplace on their tour of the Cottage. Along the way we check out the origins of Christmas trees, how to believe in things you...

During this week in 1862, the Lincolns moved out to the Cottage for the first time. Part of their reason for coming was to find solace in the wake of their son Willie's death earlier that year. To mark the anniversary...

For this episode, we're talking about a question asked by a college student hoping to make contemporary political connections. Along the way we learn the difference between agrarian, republican, socialist, and democrat...

This episode accompanies episode 7.2, "Was it this hot when Lincoln was around?" Jason Samenow described the craziest DC weather he's ever experienced, and Jason Hauser told us about some… creative… historical remedies...

For this episode, we're discussing a question from a slightly desperate visitor to the Cottage this past summer. Along the way we meet the Capital Weather Gang, find out the surprising cultural baggage heat carried in...

This episode accompanies episode 7.1, "Have you seen Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?" Elizabeth Richmond-Garza told us why the director of the movie might have been particularly suited to this material, and we heard...

For this episode, we're addressing a question from a teenage student curious about how seriously we take ourselves. Along the way we talk about what vampire archetypes can mean for society, history on film, and how to...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 6.3, "When was DC its unhealthiest?" While we were talking to the inimitable Dr. Ayanna Bennett, she was very clear that the Covid experience was a moment where the...

For this episode, we're talking about a question we got after telling the story of Willie Lincoln's death from typhoid. Along the way we talk about the sanitary revolution - try washing your dishes!, equity in health...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 6.2, "Did Lincoln ever go to church?" John O'Brien shared more stories about the Lincoln family's life at New York Ave Presbyterian, and Dr. Corey Walker explained how Frederick...

For this episode, we're talking about a question we often get from visitors with a strong faith practice. On the way we talk about Mrs. Lincoln's Sunday best, the intersection of religion and politics re: slavery, and...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 6.1, "Does anybody know what Lincoln's next big idea was?" Kate Masur explained more about Lincoln's willingness to collaborate with Congress, and Shannon Janean Currie made an...

For this episode, we're talking about a question we got from a supporter of the Cottage who was thinking about what Lincoln would have done with more time. On the way we talk about what political candidates need to do...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 5.3, "Why would Maryland do that?" Terry Alford told us more about Booth's weapon, and Alex Wood encouraged us to think deeper about place(s) of memory. www.lincolncottage.org...

For this episode, we're talking about a question we got from a student trying to understand the reasons behind Lincoln's assassination. Along the way we'll encounter a troubling relationship to cats, one of history's...