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All the United States Maine Bangor Hannibal Hamlin Death Couch

Hannibal Hamlin Death Couch

Abraham Lincoln's vice president took his last breath here on July 4, 1891.

Bangor, Maine

Added By
Ruben Stemple
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The couch where Hannibal Hamlin died.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The couch where Hannibal Hamlin died.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
A small descriptive plaque on the couch.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
A sign offering an explanation for the couch.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The Bangor Public Library, where the couch is displayed.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Hannibal Hamlin, circa 1860–65.   Public Domain
  JamieTrie / Atlas Obscura User
  JamieTrie / Atlas Obscura User
  elsamanelsa / Atlas Obscura User
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About

An old couch sits in the rotunda of the Bangor Public Library in Maine. Though somewhat inviting, visitors aren’t allowed to plop down atop it after perusing through the stacks of books. The last person to actually use the couch was a dying U.S. vice president.

Hannibal Hamlin was President Abraham Lincoln’s first vice president. He was also a United States Senator and Congressman from the state of Maine, a diplomat to Spain, and even served as Maine’s governor for about one month. His storied political career includes taking measures to ban alcohol consumption on the congressional floor, advising President Lincoln to sign the Emancipation Proclamation, and returning to the legislative branch for two more terms after serving as VP.

Hamlin was dropped from the election ticket during Lincoln’s second run for president in favor of Andrew Johnson, who later became president when Lincoln was assassinated.

After retirement, Hamlin returned to his home state of Maine. On July 4, 1891 he collapsed while playing cards at the Tarratine Club in Bangor. He died later that evening on the couch that is now on display at the main branch of the Bangor Public Library.

Related Tags

Death Furniture History Government Politics

Know Before You Go

The couch is currently on the second floor in the lobby facing the library’s reference desk. Go through the main front door and look to the right.

Community Contributors

Added By

R Stemple

Edited By

liv2lrn, Kerry Wolfe, JamieTrie, elsamanelsa

  • liv2lrn
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • JamieTrie
  • elsamanelsa

Published

July 27, 2017

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Sources
  • https://www.biography.com/people/hannibal-hamlin-9326788
  • http://www.everythinglincoln.com/articles/Abraham-Lincoln-Hannibal-Hamlin.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal_Hamlin#Vice_presidency
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/32137
Hannibal Hamlin Death Couch
145 Harlow St
Bangor, Maine
United States
44.804432, -68.771585
Visit Website
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