Bicentennial
This is an exciting time for the Mary Todd Lincoln House as we prepare for the national celebration of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. The celebration begins February 12, 2008 with festivities at Lincoln’s birthplace in Hodgenville, Kentucky and continues through February 2010. As one of the premier Lincoln sites in Kentucky, the Mary Todd Lincoln House is expecting tremendous interest in the House and its collection during the two-year celebration.
A number of conservation and educational activities are planned, including a traveling exhibition, school programs and other events portraying the “Lexington of Abraham and Mary Lincoln.” We have been fortunate to receive the support of many local agencies and individuals as we prepare for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. We are particularly grateful for the support of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government for providing funds to prepare the House for increased visitation and activities that will educate the public about Lexington’s contribution our Lincoln heritage. Furthermore, the support of the LFUCG has helped leverage support from other organizations as we prepare for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration.
A special exhibit entitled “A House Divided” will open at the Lexington Public Library Gallery in March 2009. The exhibit, funded in part by a grant from the Kentucky Humanities Council and the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, will explore the relationship between the Lincolns and Confederate sympathizers in the Todd family. After the Lexington exhibition, the exhibit will join the Kentucky Historical Society’s Museums-to-Go program and be available to tour to communities across the state.
The Mary Todd Lincoln House has also secured support from Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky for our educational program, “Mary Goes to School.” The program takes our educational mission outside the walls of the museum and directly to fourth and fifth grade students. A first person interpreter portraying Mary Todd Lincoln is available to visit classrooms and provide students with an exciting and effective way to learn about American and Civil War history.
In additional to educational programming support, the Mary Todd Lincoln House has also received grants to purchase office equipment, complete much needed conservation projects, and carry out structural improvements. We are grateful to the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels, The Keeneland Foundation, Lexington Directions, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Lincoln Grant program for their support in these endeavors.
To join the celebration, please visit the “Get Involved” section of our website and check our “Upcoming Events” regularly.
