White House Coffee Cup

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Object Details

associated person

Lincoln, Abraham

associated institution

White House, The

Description

Richmond had fallen. Lee had surrendered. The war was finally coming to an end. It was time to celebrate the victory, unify the American people, and rebuild the nation. On the evening of Good Friday, April 14, Lincoln decided to spend a relaxing evening at the Ford’s Theatre.

After dressing for the evening, a White House servant observed the president leaving behind this cup on a windowsill just before departing. The servant preserved it as a relic of that tragic night. Years later Capt. D. W. Taylor presented this cup to Robert Todd Lincoln, Lincoln’s eldest son, who maintained it as a family heirloom.

Gift of Lincoln Isham, great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln, 1958

Credit Line

Lincoln Isham

ID Number

PL.219098.09

catalog number

219098.09

accession number

219098

Object Name

cup

Physical Description

purple; white, gold trim (overall color)

ceramic (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 3 1/4 in x 3 7/8 in; 8.255 cm x 9.8425 cm

part:: 1 1/4 in; 3.175 cm

Related Publication

Rubenstein, Harry R.. Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life

See more items in

Political History: Political History, White House/First Ladies Collection

Government, Politics, and Reform

Selections from the Abraham Lincoln Collection

Exhibition

First Ladies

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

Data Source