President Lincoln stayed in this 1842 Gothic Revival cottage, instead of the White House, during his three summers in office, starting in 1862 (during the Civil War). The cottage is on one of the highest points in DC and offers a nice breeze - a big plus in the hot, humid DC summer. Did you know that President Lincoln spent about one-quarter of his presidency at this summer cottage?

President Lincoln's cottage was opened to the public for the first time in 2008, after restoration by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Visit President Lincoln's Cottage website, which is located on the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) campus in NorthWest DC. Also check out NPR's story Living History At Lincoln's Summer Retreat.

(Images: President Lincoln's Cottage website)