Grade 5: Essential question 1

See the Lincoln Home. Tour the bedroom of the Lincoln boys, Willie and Tad.

We can learn about the Lincoln family from looking very closely at an object or artifact. What would a typical day be like for you if you lived in the 1850s? What kinds of things would you do? What objects would you use? (For example, why is there a wash basin and a chamber pot in the bedroom? What kind of toys did the boys play with?)

Essential question 2

As First Lady during the Civil War, she was criticized as a traitor by many because she had Southern roots. Worst of all, she had many family members fighting for the South. Obviously, her husband Abraham supported the North. She was, however, always a supporter of emancipation. It seemed that her family was divided on this very important issue at the time. What would you do and how would you feel if members of your family supported the opposing army?

Essential question 3

See Mary's House: Lincoln and Mary Todd were a study in contrasts. Yet many things brought them together, including a love of poetry, literature, and a deep interest in Whig politics. They wed in November, 1842. As you tour Mary's childhood home, what do you notice about her upbringing that makes it so different from her husband's childhood years?

Essential question 4

In 1865 Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theater. Although Mary Todd Lincoln lived 17 years after her husband’s death, Mary never escaped from the shadow of that event. Read the letter that Frederick Douglass wrote to Mary after her husband's death. Based on this letter describe Frederick Douglass’ reaction to Lincoln’s assassination. How do you think Lincoln’s assassination affected the country?

Lincoln Artifacts

Brooch 1840-1880. Most of Mary Todd Lincoln’s clothes have not survived to present day. This pin was originally a button on one of her dresses that she gave to one of her nieces. Her niece saved one button, which she had made into this brooch. See other artifacts from the Lincoln household. Visit the National Park Service's Museum Collection "Mary Todd Lincoln and the Boys."

Mary's Biography

Mary Todd Lincoln (b. 1818- d. 1882) was the fourth of sixteen children (from two marriages) born into a Kentucky family. She had family members who supported the South during the Civil War and brothers who fought in the Confederate Army. Find out more about her life at the National Library - First Ladies.

The Mary Todd Lincoln House

Mary's childhood home had 14 rooms on 3 floors. Visit the gallery and see Mary's bedroom. How many dolls do you count?

The Last of Mrs. Lincoln

The Broadway play, The Last of Mrs. Lincoln, is set after the death of President Abraham Lincoln, and looks at the former First Lady’s turbulent life, dealing with her sons, creditors, detractors, and her own advancing ailments. Pictured right is actress Martha Campbell as the grieving widow of President Lincoln. Listen to the end (14:00) of the Tad Lincoln Podcast about Mary's last years.