No-Show Gala

MARY TODD LINCOLN HOUSE
No-Show Gala
February 12, 2010

Honoring the close of the Lincoln Bicentennial

This is a “No-Show” event. It doesn’t actually happen.

Our goal is to raise at least $9,000 to cover utilities for the 2010.

                                          COST BREAKDOWN:
                                         Real vs. “No-Show Gala”
                               (Contributions are 100% tax-deductible)

$15	The hottest new glitter eye shadow OR the cost of hosting the MTL House website for one month
$25	A generous tip so the valet won’t dent your car OR all the utilities for one day at MTL House
$50	A babysitter for 4-5 hours OR water for the month at MTL House
$100	New trendy pumps to match a new trendy dress OR telephone for a month at MTL House
$125	Tuxedo rental (the old one doesn’t fit!) OR security system for a month at MTL House
$300	The to-die-for dress OR the entire electric bill in February at MTL House
$500	A high bid at the silent auction OR most of the gas bill in February at MTL House
$1000	A high bid at the live auction OR pest control for the entire year at MTL House

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe that the two-year celebration of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial will end on February 12, 2010.

When we began planning our role in the Bicentennial back in 2004, it seemed like a huge lead time. But that time was

well used to raise funds, apply for grants, and plan the initiatives we would undertake.

We feel very fortunate that the Bicentennial brought so much attention to the Mary Todd Lincoln House. And we feel proud

of all that we have accomplished. These projects have strengthened the museum for the long-term. It is a wonderful position

and one we hope you will help us maintain. Here’s a partial list of our accomplishments during the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial:

Redesigned website and brochure
Completed professional Architectural & Collections assessments of MTL House
Catalogued our collection of furnishings and artifacts & created collections and archival storage
Cleaned/repaired the seven most significant items in our collection
Updated the HVAC system and installed digital thermostats
Completed exterior work on the house, including roofing, masonry, porch carpentry, gutter replacement and painting
Created a traveling exhibit about Lincoln’s Confederate connections
Developed a children’s workbook targeted at 4-5th grade students
Partnered with the Lexington Library to create a “Lincoln’s Lexington” walking tour brochure
Established the “Mary Goes to School” program that brings first-person interpretation directly to elementary school students
Hosted speaker series with nationally known authors Stephen Berry, Catherine Clinton, & Jason Emerson
Installed a new historic marker out front and two interpretive markers in the garden
Increased visitation by 35% in 2008 and 30% in 2009 as compared to 2007

Many of these initiatives were funded through grants from businesses, government agencies, and foundations. Unfortunately, it is

very difficult to receive funding for operating expenses such as heating, cooling, electricity, telephone, internet, and our security system.

We hope you will respond by making a generous gift to KMPF to help cover these utilities in 2010. Your support is very

much needed and will free-up financial resources to continue the initiatives that began during the Lincoln Bicentennial.

As always, we thank you for your consideration and continued support.

Sincerely,

The KMPF Board of Directors