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    • "A House Divided" Cemetery Walking Tour
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Mary Todd Lincoln House

578 West Main Street
Lexington, KY, 40507
8592339999
Discover America's most fascinating first lady during a visit to her girlhood home.

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Mary Todd Lincoln House

  • Visit
    • Book Visit
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Driving and Parking Directions
    • Neighborhood Guide
    • Group Tours and Field Trips
  • Programs
    • Upcoming Events
    • "Mary Todd's Lexington" Traveling Exhibit
    • "Lincolns' Lexington" Downtown Walking Tour
    • "A House Divided" Cemetery Walking Tour
    • Family Downtown Quest
  • Learn
    • Biography
    • Todd Family
    • Slavery
    • The White House Years
    • Widowhood & Insanity Trial
    • Timeline
    • "History At Home" Resources
  • About
    • Photo Gallery
    • About House & Organization
    • Donate
    • Staff & Contacts
    • Employment
  • Donate
MTL_Exteriors_1.jpg

Image Gallery

Image Gallery

Exterior of the Mary Todd Lincoln House

Exterior of the Mary Todd Lincoln House

The house has been a part of Lexington's downtown landscape for over two hundred years. It was originally built for a French quarryman who operated it as an inn.

Entrance of the Mary Todd Lincoln House

Entrance of the Mary Todd Lincoln House

In 1832, when Mary Todd was thirteen, her family moved from nearby Short Street to the then newly renovated house that fronts Main Street.

Family Parlor

Family Parlor

The Family Parlor features several Todd-family artifacts, including the center table.

The Todd's Family Parlor, looking into the Dining Room

The Todd's Family Parlor, looking into the Dining Room

Abraham Lincoln would have been entertained in these rooms during his three-week stay in 1847. The Lincolns were traveling to Washington for Abraham's first, and only, congressional term.

The Dining Room table

The Dining Room table

The dining room illustrates the social background that prepared Mary Lincoln for her role as hostess of the White House. Slavery helped to make the Todds' lifestyle possible, and an average of five enslaved people labored here.

The Pantry

The Pantry

African Americans enslaved by the Todd family would have performed household chores in the pantry.

Mary Todd Lincoln painting in the front parlor

Mary Todd Lincoln painting in the front parlor

This original portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln was painted by Daniel Huntington in 1864 while she was First Lady. Mrs. Lincoln was forty-five at the time of the sitting.

The Back Parlor

The Back Parlor

The Todds entertained prominent guests in the formal Twin Parlors, including famed Kentucky statesman Henry Clay. Abraham Lincoln greatly admired Clay, referring to him as his "beau ideal" of a politician.

The Parents' Bedroom

The Parents' Bedroom

Mrs. Lincoln’s father Robert and step-mother Betsy shared the parents’ bedroom. Betsy gave birth to five of their nine children in this home. Mrs. Lincoln was among the seven children born to Robert's first marriage to Eliza Parker, who died from childbirth complications.

The Children's Room

The Children's Room

Mary Todd Lincoln was one of sixteen children born to her father's two marriages. Growing up in a large family may have prepared Mrs. Lincoln to be mother to the four sons she and Abraham Lincoln adored. 

Desk with miniature painting of Charlotte Mentelle

Desk with miniature painting of Charlotte Mentelle

Mary Todd Lincoln enjoyed an extensive education, including attending the boarding and finishing school operated by Charlotte Mentelle. With about ten years of formal schooling, Mary was better educated than many women of the time and continued to read widely throughout her life.

Meissen Porcelain Perfume Jars

Meissen Porcelain Perfume Jars

These two German-made Meissen porcelain perfume jars belonged to Mrs. Lincoln and may have been purchased during one of her two extended visits to Europe following Abraham Lincoln's death.

The Guest Bedroom

The Guest Bedroom

The tour covers Mrs. Lincoln's entire life, including the evening her husband was assassinated. Prints depicting the night of the assassination are on display in the guest bedroom, along with other items from Mary’s life after Abraham’s death.

The Garden

The Garden

Today, the 14 room house is used to tell the remarkable story of Mary Todd Lincoln to thousands of visitors from around the world. The garden behind the home offers a peaceful respite for our visitors.

MARY TODD LINCOLN HOUSE

578 WEST MAIN STREET
LEXINGTON, KY 40507

859-233-9999
Director@MTLHOUSE.ORG

© 2025 MARY TODD LINCOLN HOUSE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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