LENOX, Mass. — There will be a talk exploring of one of America's most enigmatic First Ladies, Mary Todd Lincoln, at Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 4:00 PM. 

 

Louise Levy, an expert in American history and staff member at Ventfort Hall, will present the second part of her series on Mary Lincoln, focusing on the haunting specters of her life—both literal and metaphorical.

 

According to a press release:

 

In this thought-provoking talk, Levy will delve into Mary Lincoln's troubled past. Haunted by her own past, she also claimed to be haunted by the spirits of her deceased children, and actively sought ways to communicate with them beyond the grave. A specter of her former self after the assassination of her beloved husband, Mary roamed two continents in search of peace and freedom from the rumors that swirled about her sanity.

 

Levy will explore some of the modern theories regarding her mental health, ranging from pernicious anemia to bipolar disorder and also take a look at some of the scandals that surrounded her both during and after her time in the White House including secrets she tried to hide from her husband and her sometimes outrageous behavior that resulted in ruining her own reputation. Mary's lifelong dream of being the wife of the president turned into a nightmare as she survived a war that tore her own family apart. And she still haunts many of us now who struggle to understand the time when a nation went to war with itself, and the reverberations of that war still felt today.

 

Following the talk, attendees will be treated to a Victorian-inspired tea, featuring recipes from Mary Lincoln's own kitchen, as well as other period-appropriate delicacies. Recommended reading material, including The Madness of Mary Lincoln by Jason Emerson, will be available for purchase in the museum gift shop.

 

Levy is a 1990 graduate of Syracuse University with a BA in Art History. She grew up in New Jersey and has made the northwest corner of Connecticut her home for over 30 years. Levy worked as a tour guide at Chesterwood for over a decade and gave specialty talks there on Abraham Lincoln as well as American Art History. She has recently joined the staff at Ventfort Hall. Her talks range from cemetery symbolism to the civil rights movement. She has a lifelong fascination with Abraham Lincoln and loves to read anything she can on him and his life. She likes to spend her spare time either hiking in the woods or visiting museums and historic sites. 

 

Tickets are $40 for members and with advance reservations, $45 on the day of the event, and $22 for students 22 and under. The ticket price includes access to Ventfort Hall from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the day of the event. Reservations are highly encouraged as seating is limited, with walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations, visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206. Please note that all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.