When Henry met Mary

Historical spots to visit for Presidents’ Day

An aerial view of Henry Clay's monument at the Lexington Cemetery

Visitors can learn more about one of America’s founding fathers at the Lexington Cemetery. | Photo courtesy of Maci Brooke

Did you know that Lexington helped some of the nation’s most historic figures find their footing?

Let’s take a tour of some historical sites you can visit today for Presidents’ Day.

📍 Lexington Cemetery, 833 W. Main St.

Although popularly known for its cherry blossom season in the spring, Lexington Cemetery has some unique ties to those who were awfully close to the biggest role in the White House.

Henry Clay Monument

Located to the right when you enter the cemetery, the 120-ft-tall stone monument is hard to miss. You can see him towering over the trees if you’re at the stoplight of Main Street + Newtown Pike.

Here, visitors can learn more about Clay’s background as one of the nation’s founding fathers and his aspirations of one day becoming president, a race that he would lose three times.

John C. Breckinridge Grave Site

Also a fellow Lexington native, John C. Breckinridge was most known for his role as US Vice President to James Buchanan from 1857 to 1861. Fun fact: Breckinridge was the youngest VP to serve during his time in office.

The outside of Mary Todd Lincoln's childhood home — Mary Todd Lincoln’s home is situated directly off W Main St. | Photo courtesy of Mary Todd Lincoln House

📍 Mary Todd Lincoln House, 578 W. Main St.

Mary Todd Lincoln was born in Lexington in 1818, where she would spend most of her years mingling with local politicians (including Mr. Clay himself).

While visiting a sister in Illinois, Todd met fellow Kentucky native Abraham Lincoln (ever heard of him?). The two married in 1842, and in 1861, she became First Lady.

The facade of Henry Clay's mansion — Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, is located off Richmond Road on Sycamore Lane. | Photo courtesy of VisitLEX

📍 Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, 120 Sycamore Rd.

The last stop on our tour is just a few miles down the road from Mary Todd Lincoln’s childhood home.

Situated on the former site of a 600-acre tobacco farm, Clay’s beloved Ashland Estate still stands in the heart of Ashland Park.

Opt for an in-depth private tour of the mansion, or a self-guided walk in the park with lunch from the Ginkgo Tree Cafe.

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Monday, Feb. 20

Presidents’ Day Family Event | Monday, Feb. 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Mary Todd Lincoln House, 578 West Main St., Lexington | $0-$15 | Celebrate Presidents’ Day with special programming including games and activities inspired by the life of the Lincoln family.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Tea Tuesday at Waveland | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 2-4 p.m. | Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington | $35 | Explore the historic Waveland Estate mansion with tea time which includes three tasty courses.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Classic Films: “Akeelah and the Bee” | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 2-4 p.m. | Beaumont Branch, 3080 Fieldstone Way, Lexington | Free | Families are invited to enjoy a showing of “Akeelah and the Bee” with popcorn, followed by a group discussion.

Thursday, Feb. 23

BGCF365 Winter Social | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | App Harvest Kitchen @ Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington | Free*

Friday, Feb. 24

Vinyl Richie | Friday, Feb. 24 | 9 p.m. | O’Neill’s, 2051 Richmond Rd., Lexington | $10 | Dance the night away to Lexington’s most diverse cover band singing everything from 2Pac to Beatles.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

6 ways to manage your energy bills this winter

Making these simple changes around your home can reduce your energy use while keeping you and your family warm. | Photo provided by Duke Energy

Seeing higher energy bills in the winter, LEX? Cold weather can mean more energy use and higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are easy no- and low-cost ways to save energy around the home — and help keep your bill as low as possible (think: replace your air filter regularly for efficient heating).

Want to know more? Duke Energy has answers to the six most asked questions about saving energy during cold weather (hint: it’s easier than you think). ❄️*

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Weather

58º | Morning showers | 34% chance of rain

Community

Last week city council approved an update to the on-street metered parking. If approved by the LexPark board, the rate increase will remain, but metered parking will once again be free on weekends and after 7 p.m. on weeknights. (WKYT)

Sports

UK Athletics announced it will test out alcohol sales at home games during the upcoming baseball and softball seasons. It will begin with the sale of beer and seltzer, limited to two drinks per transaction. See the Wildcats’ baseball team in action at Kentucky Proud Park beginning this Tuesday, Feb. 21. 🍺 (LEX18)

Lexingtonian

Congratulations to Chef Ouita Michel for being named a global culinary ambassador for the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership. Created by the U.S. Department of State + the Beard Foundation, the partnership brings together culinary professionals to use food and hospitality to strengthen relationships and bridge cultures.

Concert

Downtown Lexington Partnership announced that Thursday Night Live will return to Tandy Park on Thursday, April 6, and we get to help choose a season-opener. Tag your favorite local band in the comments of this post by midnight on Thursday, Feb. 23. 🎤 (LEX18)

Number

$82 million. That’s the projected cost for the upgrades coming to UK’s Memorial Coliseum. The renovations have been approved by both the UK Athletics Committee + the University Board of Trustees. Construction is set to begin in March with the expectation that athletic competition areas will be ready by fall 2024. (UK Athletics)

The Word

Baño. That’s Spanish for “bathroom” — something you’ll definitely need to know if you’re traveling to Central or South America this year, like 12% of our readers. Babbel’s easy, bite-sized lesson plans will ensure you know what to say when you have to go. (Read: Be talking like a local in as little as three weeks.) 🌏 *

Shop

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Science fair minus the trifold poster board

Everything is Science returns next week, and should be a treat for the senses

A person holding a blown up globe in front of a group of people.

Scenes from 2022’s EiS Festival about the elements. | Photo provided by UK College of Pharmacy

Next week will be a feast for the senses. Lexington’s annual city-wide science festival, Everything is Science, is back again with a new theme — Make it Make Sense!

The festival is sponsored by UK’s College of Pharmacy and will bring five nights of interactive, science-based events to the community.

All events will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. + are free and open to the public.

Monday, Feb. 19 | Ethereal Cornerstone

Touch | Doctors and professors from UK and Berea College will touch on ideas pertaining to the sense of touch. Sessions include:

Touching the past: Making sense of touch in the ancient world
Wild touch: What extreme animals can teach us about how we feel

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | Ethereal Public House

Vision | See presentations from a Gettysburg College speaker + an eye-opening experience with a magician. Sessions include:

Controversial chemistry: How the public views central science
Am I seeing things?: The magical world of perception

Wednesday, Feb. 21 | Old North Bar

Taste | Chef Ouita Michel + UK professors will give you knowledge to chew on. Sessions include:

Savoring Kentucky: Flavor wheel bourbon tasting
Fungal feasts: Fungi are all around us — and tasty!

Thursday, Feb. 22 | Pivot Brewing

Hearing | Listen in as presenters from UK and The Hearing & Speech Network dive into the world of hearing. Sessions include:

Making sense of your prescriptions: Hearing what you need to know
Can you hear me now?: Critical connections between hearing and brain health

Friday, Feb. 23 | Void Sake Co.

Smell | Science will stink up the place with discussions + performances from professors, candle makers, and the Mega Sax Ensemble. Sessions include:

What’s that smell?: The philosophy of perception and the olfactory
Smelling success: Stink up the place with some funk!

Pro tip: Follow along on social media.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Molly.

Editor’s pick: Not to brag or anything, but this weekend I met a celebrity, the Cocaine Bear. Don’t worry, you can still meet “Cokey the Bear” yourself in the lobby of the Kentucky Theatre for the movie premier this Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Find ways you can spread kindness around Lexington, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Molly Thompson, Aayat Ali, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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