'Hellcat or Helpmate': The Mary Todd Lincoln Saga

Every day 1,000 to 2,000 people visit the $90 million, two-and-a-half-year-old Abraham Lincoln Museum—the nation's most visited presidential museum, with more than 500,000 visitors a year. The place is kept dark to protect the old paper and textiles. No UV lights—only fiber-optic ones—are used, since they fade materials. And wear a long-sleeved shirt; to protect historical materials, the museum is always 70 degrees, with 45-percent humidity. Allow at least three hours to see the museum, which includes the special exhibit, as well as permanent ones.

Those include "Lincoln's Eyes," a 17-minute film with special effects that gives an unbiased overview of the president's life, and "Ghosts of the Library," an 11-minute theatrical show with live actors that showcases the importance of historical treasures. (An actor even plays Mary Todd Lincoln's music box.) Kids can enjoy a permanent play area called Mrs. Lincoln's Attic, with measuring sticks, a doll house and period toys, such as Jacob's ladders, whirligigs and dress-up clothes. Expect to see special exhibits, like "Mary Todd Lincoln," change every six months. Since the museum opened in April 2005, special exhibits have focused on the Lincoln assassination, Christmas at the White House and First Ladies.

Through November, Americans can visit Springfield and learn about the woman who is arguably the most interesting First Lady in U.S. history. Certainly she was an early asset. "He married up, and that helped him," says Emerson. "She definitely had ambition for him." She also did not just stand by her man. "It was at a time when people demanded that the First Lady not be an activist but rather just be a quiet, stoic support," says Schwartz. "That's not a role that she felt comfortable playing, and she didn't."

© 2007