No visit to Lexington would be complete without a visit to the Mary Todd Lincoln House or Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate. Although overshadowed and known as the wife of 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd was a fascinating character in her own right. Well educated and vivacious, she was sought after in her hometown of Lexington and had no lack of suitors. In Washington she felt out of place and was torn between her duty to the union and family serving in the Confederate Army. Her volatile temper was well known and after the death of two of her sons and her husband, she sunk into deep depression, drowning her troubles in drugs. This led to an estrangement with her remaining son, who had her committed to a mental institution for a brief period of time.
Touring her home and being able to walk in the steps both she and Abraham Lincoln had taken was not only a link to the past, but a touching piece of history. Although we were not allowed to take photos inside the home, the guide pointed out artifacts belonging to the Todd and Lincoln family, including a humorous photo of one of Mary Todd Lincoln’s sons, who had slyly drawn a mustache on a photo of himself. We were able to pass the photo around and observe it for ourselves. Our guide was knowledgeable and created a sympathetic, but human portrayal of Mary Todd, not glossing over her faults, including her famous temper. Tours are given on the hour from 10 AM-3 PM and last approximately one hour.
After finishing our tour at the Mary Todd Lincoln house, we drove over to Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate. Interestingly enough, Henry Clay never lived in this eighteen room mansion. The house he built on the property was deemed to be unsafe and was torn down. His son rebuilt on the property, using the same style for the mansion, but adding two wings on the left and right side of the home. Today Henry Clay’s presence is still strongly felt at Ashland. A prominent political statesman, many people idolized him, creating busts and pictures of him that were popular household adornments and symbols of his growing political prominence. These pieces decorate the halls and rooms of Ashland. While we were unable to take pictures inside the home, the history of the Clay family is well preserved and, although the focus is on Henry Clay, other stories of family members are just as interesting. If you take the tour be sure to inquire about the suffragette in the family who not only fought for votes for women, but to raise the marital age of young girls, who, at the time, were allowed to marry at twelve.
Plan to spend extra time touring the grounds. My son was fascinated by an outbuilding close to the house. In the days before indoor plumbing outhouses were common, but this had to be the fanciest outhouse I had ever seen! Tours are given each hour and last approximately one hour.
We received complementary admission to the Mary Todd Lincoln House and Ashland: The Henry Clay estate. All opinions are honest and our own.
What a gorgeous tour! Abe Lincoln is my favorite president – what an interesting trip to learn more about his wife
Wow, that is beautiful. I love being able to tour historical buildings. I feel like I am stepping back into time.
Oh wow! All of it is so pretty! I bet the kiddos would love to do a historical tour like this! Way better than listening to ‘I’m bored’ all summer as well LOL
The house is gorg! I think the historical tours like this are always so awesome!
I really love all those little tidbits they tell you. I’ve learned the most interesting things that way. I’d love to take this tour! And that outhouse is gigantic!
What a gorgeous house and garden. I had no idea that Mary Todd lived such a troubled life.
I never knew that about Lincoln’s wife before. Love how beautiful all the grounds at the houses are!
That’s beautiful! What a fun and unique trip!
How awesome, the house is beautiful and the garden and all the flowers just gorgeous …thanks for taking us along for the trip… I enjoyed it
That is a GORGEOUS house!! I’d love to be on a piece of land like that, too.
What a gorgeous place. The grounds are just amazing. I love the detail on the corners of that house. Beautiful.
I love these historical homes. They’re so gorgeous, and the things you can learn are amazing. I’d love to take a tour one day.
It’s so beautiful there. The grounds are gorgeous, and the house itself is just wonderful. I’d love to visit sometime.
I’m sure my daughter would enjoy visiting. My mom lives just minutes from Lincoln’s birthplace!
The historic charm is so nice! It looks like a very neat place to visit.
That house is totally awesome… I am enthralled with old homes like this and the history behind them
That is so cool, I would love to take my kids there we just learned about Lincoln this year in our homeschooling.
I love historical buildings! They tell such an interesting story!!
I love touring old, historical places like this. Sounds like a great visit.