The Somerset Community College Student Government Association, together with Kentucky Chautauqua, will present Mary Todd Lincoln: A House Divided. The presentation will take place on February 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. on the Somerset Campus in the Citizens National Bank Community Room of Rogers Student Commons located at 808 Monticello Street, Somerset, KY. There is no charge and all are invited to attend.Mary Todd Lincoln lived a life of tremendous triumph and great tragedy.
A Lexington, Kentucky, native, Mary Todd was educated at some of the finest schools, making her among the most well educated women of her time. While living with her older sister in Springfield, Illinois, Mary met and married lawyer and state legislator Abraham Lincoln.
Mary was ambitious. She had high expectations for her husband's political career. Her lofty expectations came to fruition when Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States in November 1860. The Lincoln years in the White House were among the most tumultuous in American history with the nation in the midst of a Civil War.
Mary's personal life was filled with great tragedy. Her 4-year-old son Eddie died while the Lincolns were living in Springfield. While in the White House, her young son Willie died in 1862. Three years later, and five days after Robert E. Lee surrendered, her beloved husband was assassinated at Ford's theatre. And, in 1871, her son Tad died of pleurisy. Four years later, a distraught Mary was committed to a private asylum for the insane by her first born and lone surviving son, Robert.
Trish Clark of Lexington portrays Mary Todd Lincoln for Kentucky Chautauqua. Ms. Clark has worked as an artist and educator for more than thirty years. She currently serves as the executive director of the Woodford Theatre in Versailles.
Bo List of Lexington is the script writer. List has been working in the area as an actor, writer and director for more than twenty years.
Kentucky Chautauqua is an exclusive presentation of the Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc. with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and from: Christina Lee Brown, the Brown-Forman Corporation, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Lindsey Wilson College, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc.
The Kentucky Humanities Council is a non-profit Kentucky corporation affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is not a state agency, but is a proud partner of Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For information, visit www.kyhumanities.org or call (859) 257-5932.