Mary Todd Lincoln House
Explore the elegant girlhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln, offering a glimpse into the life of a prominent First Lady and her influential Kentucky family...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Mary Todd Lincoln House
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the elegant girlhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln, offering a glimpse into the life of a prominent First Lady and her influential Kentucky family.
"It was like walking back in time to another way of life. Very well laid out and organized."
📅 Check Hours Before You Go
Open Mon-Sat, 10 am-4 pm. Closed Sundays. Confirm hours before your visit!
🚶♀️ Self-Guided vs. Guided
Self-guided for flexibility, guided for deeper historical context. Guided tours are after 3 PM.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Mary Todd Lincoln's Girlhood Home
Lexington, Kentucky
Step into the elegant brick manor that shaped the early life of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln.
Period Furnishings & Exhibits
Throughout the house
Explore rooms furnished with period pieces, offering a glimpse into 19th-century life and the Todd family's prominent status.
Floral Courtyard
Rear of the house
Imagine the Todd family's daily life in this charming courtyard, a peaceful oasis behind the historic home.
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Timing Your Visit
Tour Options & Accessibility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📅 Check Hours Before You Go
Open Mon-Sat, 10 am-4 pm. Closed Sundays. Confirm hours before your visit!
🚶♀️ Self-Guided vs. Guided
Self-guided for flexibility, guided for deeper historical context. Guided tours are after 3 PM.
📸 Respectful Photography
Signage can be distracting for historical photos. Be mindful of others and the historic setting.
🎁 Visit the Gift Shop
Find unique souvenirs and historical items at reasonable prices.
Tips
from all over the internet
📅 Check Hours Before You Go
Open Mon-Sat, 10 am-4 pm. Closed Sundays. Confirm hours before your visit!
🚶♀️ Self-Guided vs. Guided
Self-guided for flexibility, guided for deeper historical context. Guided tours are after 3 PM.
📸 Respectful Photography
Signage can be distracting for historical photos. Be mindful of others and the historic setting.
🎁 Visit the Gift Shop
Find unique souvenirs and historical items at reasonable prices.
♿ Accessible Entrance
Wheelchair accessible entrance and parking available for a comfortable visit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Mary Todd Lincoln House for its historical significance, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and well-presented exhibits. The self-guided tour option is appreciated for its flexibility, and the gift shop offers good value. Some minor distractions like internal signage were noted, but the overall experience is highly recommended.
"My wife and I did the self-guided tour. After a thorough introduction by the staff member, we went through the home. Each room was well-identified and the provided (written) description of the room was complete.
The gift shop had a broad selection of items at reasonable prices.
The staff members were very friendly!"
James Grasby
"A great find!
Imagine, finding such a gorgeous house along the main road amongst new modern places. The Mary Todd Lincoln House!
They were closed the day we came through, but we were able to check out the exterior and look through the bricked fence at the floral courtyard.
The stately brick manor looks especially beautiful with the black shutters. I can just picture the family living here and tending to their everyday life inside their home and in the garden area.
We hope to make our way back to KY during open hours to tour the interior.
Admission fee for self guided/guided tours. Active military discounts and live performances. Good for kids.
Gift shop available.
Open Monday-Saturday (Closed Sundays) 10am-4pm
*wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot. Onsite parking and paid street parking."
Dede King
"We had a great tour. I love the self guided tours...move at your own pace and take it all in. Just a small complaint..for those of us that love taking historical photos...the signage in the middle of things is just a distraction. Just my thoughts....Other than that great place to visit. And such a comparison from visiting Abe;s log cabin earlier in the day. To the see the stark contrast in how each was raised."
Tony Kelley
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Mary Todd Lincoln House is located in Lexington, Kentucky. It's situated along a main road, making it accessible by car. Onsite parking is available, along with paid street parking options.
Yes, there is onsite parking available at the Mary Todd Lincoln House. Additionally, paid street parking is an option nearby.
Absolutely! The Mary Todd Lincoln House is a great historical landmark to include on a road trip through Lexington, Kentucky.
The house is a stately brick manor, and you can appreciate its exterior beauty even from the street, with views of the floral courtyard. +1
Information on specific public transportation routes to the Mary Todd Lincoln House is not widely detailed, but it's generally accessible by car.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is an admission fee for both self-guided and guided tours. Active military personnel may receive discounts.
The house is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
Guided tours are typically offered after 3 pm. If you prefer a guided experience, plan your visit accordingly.
Yes, the house is considered good for kids, offering an educational and engaging historical experience.
While advance booking details aren't always specified, it's advisable to check their official website or call ahead, especially during peak seasons or for special events.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
Inside, you'll find rooms furnished with period pieces, offering a glimpse into the Todd family's life and the historical context of Mary Todd Lincoln's upbringing. +1
Yes, the Mary Todd Lincoln House sometimes hosts live performances and special events, which can add a unique dimension to your visit.
The house features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot, ensuring a comfortable visit for guests with mobility needs.
Photography is generally allowed, but be mindful of signage within the house, which some visitors find distracting for historical photos.
A self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace, typically taking about an hour or more depending on your interest. Guided tours will have a set duration.
🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining
Yes, there is a gift shop on-site that offers a selection of items at reasonable prices.
The Mary Todd Lincoln House itself does not appear to have dining facilities. However, Lexington offers numerous restaurants and cafes nearby.
The gift shop typically features a broad selection of items, likely including books, souvenirs, and other historical-themed merchandise.
It's highly probable that the gift shop offers items specifically related to Mary Todd Lincoln and her life, given the nature of the museum.
While not explicitly stated, gift shops at historical sites often handle ticket sales or can direct you to the appropriate point of purchase.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during a weekday to potentially have a less crowded experience. The gift shop also offers a chance for kids to pick out a souvenir. While the house is historic, it's noted as being 'good for kids,' so don't hesitate to bring the whole family for a dose of history.
📚 History Buffs & Enthusiasts
Pay attention to the contrast between Mary's upbringing and Abraham Lincoln's, as this difference is a key element in understanding their lives and the era. The knowledgeable staff can offer deeper insights, especially if you opt for a guided tour after 3 pm.
📸 Photography Lovers
+1 Inside, the period furnishings and architectural details can make for compelling shots. However, be aware that some visitors find the signage within the house to be a distraction for historical photography. Focus on capturing the ambiance of the rooms and the architectural elements. The exterior shots, especially of the courtyard, are often highlighted as particularly beautiful.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Life of Mary Todd Lincoln
+1However, Mary's life was also shadowed by immense personal loss, including the deaths of three of her four sons and the assassination of her husband. These experiences, coupled with her own struggles with mental and physical health, led to periods of deep grief and public scrutiny. Visiting the Mary Todd Lincoln House offers a unique opportunity to connect with her early life and understand the formative experiences that shaped her complex character.
+1The house itself, a stately brick manor, reflects the prosperity of her family. Exploring its rooms allows visitors to imagine the environment in which Mary Todd developed her worldview and social graces, providing a stark contrast to the humble beginnings of Abraham Lincoln.
Visiting the Mary Todd Lincoln House: A Traveler's Perspective
Many visitors appreciate the option of self-guided tours, allowing them to 'move at your own pace and take it all in.' The house is described as 'well-identified' with 'complete' written descriptions in each room. The gift shop is also noted for its 'broad selection of items at reasonable prices.'
While the historical significance is undeniable, some visitors mention minor distractions like signage within the house, particularly for those interested in historical photography. However, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire to 'go back another day.'
Historical Context: A House Divided
Exploring Mary's childhood home allows visitors to grasp the social and economic disparities that existed in 19th-century America. The elegant brick manor and its furnishings speak to a life of privilege, contrasting sharply with the frontier existence Lincoln experienced. This juxtaposition is key to understanding the complexities of their relationship and the political landscape of the era.
This historical context is crucial for appreciating the full story of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. It underscores how their union brought together different worlds, influencing their perspectives and their roles in shaping American history.
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