My Weekend in the Land of Lincoln

Chicago is a city full of history. I'm a huge geek when it comes to history (my undergrad degree is in history; my master's thesis was on the 1893 Chicago's World Fair; and my doctoral dissertation proposal includes a large section on the history of osteopathic medicine). So, when I was thinking of something fun to do this past weekend, I decided to travel to Springfield to visit the new President Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum.

Springfield is about 200 miles south of Chicago, or a three-hour drive. And, with all due respect to our state's capitol, there isn't much excitement in Springfield beyond the Lincoln sites (in my humble opinion). I was especially excited about this trip because the new Lincoln Museum was hosting a special exhibit on Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy.

I think Mary Todd Lincoln is one of history's most fascinating characters. The poor woman tragically lost three sons and a husband, all much too young. She was educated and had political opinions, in an age where women were expected to take care of their families and otherwise keep to themselves. When the Lincolns came to Washington, she found a White House that was dilapidated and rat-infested. Her efforts to refurbish the president's home were not supported by the Congress, many of whom did not support her husband's candidacy. She dabbled in the occult following all the deaths in her immediate family, and was severely censured for these beliefs. She tried for many years--unsuccessfully--to secure a widow's pension from the Congress. To help pay her debts, she had to sell her inaugural gowns and Washington clothes at a New York auction, which brought further scandal upon her. She eventually retreated to several spas in Europe, only to have her son Tad succumb to pleurisy on their trip back to the United States.

The final indignity came at the hands of her last remaining son, Robert. My trip to Springfield culminated in a play performed at the museum, The Last of Mary Lincoln. The play covered the years 1865 to 1882, from the loss of Abe to the death of Mary. As Mary's life continued to spiral downward, she became increasing mentally ill. Again, she lost three sons, a husband, and was subject to much public scrutiny (much of it unwarranted). To provide mental care for his mother, Robert tried to confine her in a mental health facility (called "sanitariums" in those days). In order to confine someone against her will, a public trial was required. Thus, Robert Lincoln put his mother Mary on trial for insanity. The jury found her insane, and she was committed to a mental health home in Batavia, Illinois. Once there, Mary began to fight back to clear her name with some friends from Chicago. Eventually, she was released from the sanitarium and returned to live with her sister in Springfield. It is not certain if she ever reconciled with her oldest son. Historians continue to debate whether Robert acted out of genuine concern for his mother's well-being or to preserve what remained of the dignity of the Lincoln family name. Needless to say, Mary Todd Lincoln died a sad and nearly penniless widow--whose husband was arguably the finest president of our nation who lost his life to an assassin. Her life was vividly depicted in the exhibit and play in Springfield.

Of course, none of this has anything to do with Midwestern University. And most of it is probably of no or marginal interest to anyone but history geeks like myself. But, if you share my love of Lincoln, take a drive down to Springfield and immerse yourself into the interesting stories of this great American legend.