 The "Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy" exhibit has been
extended through Nov. 30. The world-class exhibit, including many
items publicly displayed for the first time, was originally
scheduled to conclude Oct. 28. In addition, a new publication is
available that highlights the exhibit with photographs and
historical information."The tremendous response to the Mary Todd
Lincoln exhibit convinced us to keep it another month, which will
allow thousands more people the opportunity to see this
once-in-a-lifetime display of Mrs. Lincoln's life and times," said
Rick Beard, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum. "Visitors may also take Mary Todd Lincoln home
through a new book that has been developed featuring the exhibit's
history and artifacts."
The Mary Todd Lincoln Exhibit Catalog is available at the ALPLM
Museum Store or online at
www.alplm.org. The $19.99 publication was written by Illinois
State Historian Dr. Thomas Schwartz, one of the world's top Lincoln
experts, with a foreword written by Beard. This exclusive book
includes full-color photographs of documents and artifacts from the
exhibit and keen insights into Mrs. Lincoln's often misunderstood
life and role as first lady.
"Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy" is the first major
retrospective of Mrs. Lincoln. Visitors can explore her childhood,
courtship of Abraham Lincoln, her role as wife and mother, and her
tumultuous tenure as first lady. The exhibit examines the tragedy
surrounding the Civil War; the death of her son, Willie, and the
assassination of her husband; and the estrangement from her eldest
son, Robert Todd Lincoln.
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 Guests may see dozens of artifacts, some never before displayed,
that provide an intimate look at Mrs. Lincoln, such as her clothing,
accessories, jewelry, photos and letters. The exhibit also showcases
newly uncovered documents relating to two special elements of
controversy: the first lady's precarious finances; and her insanity
trial, confinement to the Bellevue Sanitarium and release.
The ALPLM's next exhibit, "Packaging Presidents," opens on "Super
Tuesday," Feb. 5, 2008. The exhibit will run through the November
general election and will explore the change in the electoral
process spanning 200 years of presidential campaigns. The nation's
pre-eminent private collections will be the foundation for displays
that trace the evolution of American presidential politics from the
sedate campaigns waged by our first chief executives to the often
cutthroat electoral battles that have characterized recent runs for
the White House.
For more information on "Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of
Controversy" or other events at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum, visit
www.alplm.org.
[Text
from Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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