Bicenten\n
The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial was an exciting time for the Mary Todd Lincoln Housel. The celebration began February 12, 2008 with festivities at Lincoln’s birthplace in Hodgenville, Kentucky and continued through February 2010. As one of the premier Lincoln sites in Kentucky, the Mary Todd Lincoln House experienced a tremendous increase in public interest, with visitation up over 34% in 2008.
A number of conservation and educational activities occurred during the Bicentennial, including a traveling exhibition, school programs, walking tours, and a lectutre series. We were fortunate to receive the support of many local agencies and individuals for our Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial activities. 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 thay educatef the public about Lexington’s contribution our Lincoln heritage.
A special exhibit entitled “A House Divided” was displayed in Lexington and is currently traveling across the sate. The exhibit, funded in part by grants from the Kentucky Humanities Council and the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, explores the relationship between the Lincolns and Confederate sympathizers in the Todd family.
The Mary Todd Lincoln House also secured support from Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky and the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission 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 across Ketnucky. 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. The program has served over 4,000 students throughout the Commonwealth.
In additional to educational programming support, the Mary Todd Lincoln House 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, the Kentucky Heritage Council, and the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission for their support in these endeavors.
The Mary Todd Lincoln House was honored to be a part of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. We anticipate continued interest in the museum with the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration from 2011 - 2015.