Mary Todd Lincoln House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mary Todd Lincoln House
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | 578 West Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1806 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000341 |
| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1971 |
The Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, was the childhood home of Mary Todd. She later became the first lady and wife of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
Today, this large fourteen-room house is a museum. It displays furniture, portraits, and items that belonged to the Todd and Lincoln families. The museum helps visitors understand Mary Todd Lincoln's interesting life. She grew up in a wealthy family and later became a quiet widow after facing many challenges.
The house was built around 1803 to 1806. It first served as an inn and tavern called "The Sign of the Green Tree." Mary's father, Robert Smith Todd, bought it for his family. The Todd family moved into the three-story home in 1832. Mary Todd lived here until 1839, when she moved to Springfield, Illinois. After they were married, Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln sometimes visited her family at this house.
A Special Historic Home
The Mary Todd Lincoln House is very important in history. It was the first historic place restored to honor a First Lady. The Kentucky Mansions Preservation Foundation, Inc., now runs the house museum. It first opened to the public on June 9, 1977.
Exploring the Museum
In the mid-1970s, Beula C. Nunn, who was the wife of Governor Louie B. Nunn, worked with others to save and restore the house. The Kentucky Mansions Preservation Foundation, Inc., and the Metropolitan Women's Club of Lexington helped a lot.
The Beula C. Nunn Garden
In June 1996, a special garden was opened at the house. It's called the Beula C. Nunn Garden. This garden has trees, plants, herbs, and shrubs. They are like the ones that might have grown in the Todd family's garden in the early 1800s.
Today, you can visit the property as a historic house museum. It's a great way to learn about Mary Todd Lincoln's life and the history of the time.
See also
