Lincoln Bed

Mrs. Lincoln's Guest Bed

The Lincoln bed is a rosewood bed nearly 8 feet long and 6 feet wide, with an enormous headboard and large footboard decorated with carved grapes, grapevines, and birds. It was purchased by First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln during her extensive redecorating efforts around 1861. It was originally put in the Prince of Wales Guest Room (today's Private Dining Room). Young Willie Lincoln died in the White House at age 11 in the bed in the Prince of Wales Guest Room at about 5:00 P.M. on February 20, 1862.

The bed was probably never used by President Lincoln, although several later presidents have used it. The original mattress was made of horsehair. Barbara Bush replaced the mattress, but guests still report that it is lumpy. One occupant, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, says it is difficult to clamber into. "You have to step up to get in, and it's not terribly comfortable."

Adapted from America's First Families: Chapter 3, A Home Within a Symbol:

1860s
Purchased by Mary Todd Lincoln and placed in the northwest bedroom suite, or "Prince of Wales" bedroom; no evidence or even suggestion President Lincoln ever slept in it.

1869
Moved by Julia Grant to the small bedroom west, in the shadow of the North Portico.

1877
Rutherford and Lucy Hayes moved the Lincoln bed into the newly designated "State Bedroom" (today's Living Room).

1901
Moved one room east, to the Master Bedroom, and used by Theodore and Edith Roosevelt.

1909
Moved to storage by Nellie Taft.

1915
Moved back into the Master Bedroom, and used by Woodrow Wilson and his second wife, Edith.

1921
Moved to the northwest suite (today's Private Dining Room) by Florence Harding, with some Lincoln memorabilia or era items.

1923
Moved a third time into the Master Bedroom, and used by Calvin and Grace Coolidge.

1929
Moved by the Herbert Hoovers back into the northwest suite, officially called the "Lincoln Bedroom."

1933
Moved briefly into the small bedroom west under Franklin Roosevelt for use by his aide Louis Howe and his wife, Grace, but soon returned to the northwest suite, where it was later used by Anna Roosevelt Boettiger, her husband, John, and son Johnny.

1945
Placed by the Trumans in the southeast suite (the "Blue Suite"), renamed the "Lincoln Bedroom," where it has remained since then.

White House furnishings overview