Mary Todd Lincoln House, Lexington (must see)
The Mary Todd Lincoln House was the childhood home of Mary Ann Todd, born here in 1818 and later the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. Built between 1803 and 1806 in the Georgian/Federal style, the house originally served as an inn before being acquired by Mary鈥檚 father, Robert Smith Todd, in 1832. The Todds resided here until 1839, when Mary moved to Illinois, but Mary and President Lincoln returned in 1847 for a family visit.
Today, the fourteen-room brick structure is preserved as a museum and stands as the first historic site in America dedicated to a First Lady. Thanks to a major restoration spearheaded in the 1970s by the Kentucky Mansions Preservation Foundation under Beula C. Nunn, the home reopened to the public in 1977. Its carefully curated interiors house original Todd and Lincoln family furnishings, period portraits, and artifacts that vividly reflect early 19th-century life and Mary鈥檚 upbringing.
Visitors can explore the home via 30-minute self-guided tours or a one-hour guided experience (reservations recommended for the latter). The museum is partially wheelchair鈥慳ccessible, featuring a lift to the first floor and a photo album for glimpses of the upstairs areas. After the tour, guests can enjoy the shop, the charming Beula C. Nunn garden, and a self-guided walking tour of Lexington, including sites linked to Mary and Abraham鈥檚 time in the city.
More than just a house, this site explores the intersection of Northern and Southern identities before, during, and after the Civil War. Mary Lincoln grew up in a well鈥憈o鈥慸o, slaveholding family, yet her life was later shaped by abolitionist influence and personal tragedy. As you wander through the parlors, bedrooms, and collection of china and portraits, you鈥檒l gain an intimate understanding of the woman who became a sophisticated and politically engaged First Lady鈥攁nd who endured controversy, loss, and resilience amidst a divided nation.
Today, the fourteen-room brick structure is preserved as a museum and stands as the first historic site in America dedicated to a First Lady. Thanks to a major restoration spearheaded in the 1970s by the Kentucky Mansions Preservation Foundation under Beula C. Nunn, the home reopened to the public in 1977. Its carefully curated interiors house original Todd and Lincoln family furnishings, period portraits, and artifacts that vividly reflect early 19th-century life and Mary鈥檚 upbringing.
Visitors can explore the home via 30-minute self-guided tours or a one-hour guided experience (reservations recommended for the latter). The museum is partially wheelchair鈥慳ccessible, featuring a lift to the first floor and a photo album for glimpses of the upstairs areas. After the tour, guests can enjoy the shop, the charming Beula C. Nunn garden, and a self-guided walking tour of Lexington, including sites linked to Mary and Abraham鈥檚 time in the city.
More than just a house, this site explores the intersection of Northern and Southern identities before, during, and after the Civil War. Mary Lincoln grew up in a well鈥憈o鈥慸o, slaveholding family, yet her life was later shaped by abolitionist influence and personal tragedy. As you wander through the parlors, bedrooms, and collection of china and portraits, you鈥檒l gain an intimate understanding of the woman who became a sophisticated and politically engaged First Lady鈥攁nd who endured controversy, loss, and resilience amidst a divided nation.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Lexington. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Mary Todd Lincoln House on Map
Sight Name: Mary Todd Lincoln House
Sight Location: Lexington, USA (See walking tours in Lexington)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Lexington, USA (See walking tours in Lexington)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Lexington, Kentucky
Create Your Own Walk in Lexington
Creating your own self-guided walk in Lexington is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings
Historical buildings in Lexington, Kentucky, serve as time capsules, reflecting the architectural and cultural history of the region. A good number of these structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, each having its own story to tell. Let's explore a few notable structures that have made significant architectural contributions to the cityscape of Lexington.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Lexington Introduction Walking Tour
Lexington is Kentucky's second-largest city and the Fayette County seat. The city is most famous for the Thoroughbred racing industry but has so much to offer besides attractions related to racing. This city dates back to 1782 when Kentucky was still part of the Commonwealth of Virginia and was settled by frontiersmen under the leadership of William McConnell.
During the 19th century, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
During the 19th century, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles