Mary Todd Lincoln’s Lexington
Although Mary Todd Lincoln spent the bulk of her married life in Springfield, Illinois, her girlhood home was Lexington, Kentucky. She lived in the Todd Family home on West Main Street in Lexington until she was 21, when she then moved to Springfield to live with her sister. The Todd’s remained in their home until Mary’s father died in the 1849 cholera epidemic.
After that the Todd home served as a boarding house, a grocery store and even a brothel, before it deteriorated and was abandoned. A massive restoration project began on the house in the late 1960s, which took nearly 10 years to complete. Finally in 1977 the Mary Todd Lincoln House (www.mtlhouse.org) opened to the public, as the first museum in the nation to honor a first lady. Today visitors can visit the former first lady’s home, relax in the lush garden, wander around the historic neighborhood, and take a step back in time to Mary Todd Lincoln’s Lexington.
Mary Todd Lincoln’s Lexington Home
Originally built as a stagecoach inn, the Mary Todd Lincoln House is located at 578 West Main Street. Accessible parking is located in the lot behind the house. From there take the garden gate on the left for wheelchair-access to the first floor of the house. And don’t forget to take some time to wander through the verdant garden on the level brick pathways.
There’s barrier-free access to the first floor of the house, which includes the two parlors, the dining room and a pantry. The bedrooms are located upstairs, but since there’s no elevator in this historic mansion, they are not accessible. They do however have a photo album of the upstairs rooms.
Although the historic house certainly has some striking features, the best part of the self-guided tour is the insight gleaned from the docents on Mary Todd Lincoln’s somewhat unconventional life. She was somewhat of an awkward first lady, and quite outspoken about her political views. She was also a very independent soul, who traveled the world after her husbands death. Later in life she was plagued by bouts of depression, and was subsequently institutionalized by her eldest son. She eventually fought her commitment, and was declared sane and released from Bellevue Place. She spent the remainder of her life at her sister’s house in Springfield, and died at the ripe old age of 63. And she never forgave Robert, for what she considered an ultimate betrayal.
Mary Todd Lincoln’s Lexington Neighborhood
Save some time after your house visit for a short walk around the neighborhood to see some of the places that the former first lady would have visited when she was young. From the family home, make a left on Main Street, then take the first right on Jefferson Street. Walk a block then make another right on Short Street.
Look for 511, just past Felix Street on the left. Mary Todd Lincoln’s maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Parker, lived in this house until her death in 1850. Mary Todd Lincoln had a close relationship with Parker, and would of likely visited her often. After you admire the 1871 facade of the Parker home, continue down Short Street to 514 – 522 on the right. These buildings belonged to slave trader Lewis Robarbs. One building was used for sales, while the other was used for showing female slaves.
The historic post office is the next stop, just up the road on the left. Built in 1936, this is where Mary Todd Lincoln mailed her correspondence. After you snap a few post office photos, make a right and look for 125 on the right. Constructed in 1837, this building was once home to Giron’s Confectionary, where Mary often bought sweets.
Continue along Mill street, then make a left on Main and stop for a short visit in Courthouse Square. Prior to the Civil War slaves were auctioned off in the northwest corner of the square. To complete the loop, make a right on Main Street, pass Mill Street and continue back to the Mary Todd Lincoln House. All in all it’s a short walk, but with a little imagination it can also be a pleasant journey back to Mary Todd Lincoln’s time.
