Lincoln's Table - Email Me - Biography

Donna D. McCreary

presents

Mary Lincoln

Beloved Wife of

Abraham Lincoln

I have the honor, privilege, and responsibility to portray the wife of the Sixteenth President of the United States to a wide range of audiences, ranging from very young children to senior citizens, veterans' groups to civic organizations. My core presentation of Mary Todd can be modifiable to suit essentially any audience and/or occasion. My presentation for younger children is considerably less formal and more participatory and literally puts Mary Todd Lincoln in their midst, while still including a significant portion of the adult program presentation.
Sincerely;
Donna D. McCreary

After a life-long interest in the Civil War and the Lincoln family, Donna began portraying Mary Lincoln in 1992. She has traveled to Lexington, Kentucky; Springfield, Illinois, and Fort Wayne, Indiana developing her character and researching the Todd and Lincoln families. Donna has performed at schools, universities, historical organizations, elderhostels, and festivals. She has brought Mary Lincoln to audiences throughout the Mid-west, including performances at the Lincoln Home Historic Site, Springfield, Illinois; the Lincoln Boyhood Park, Lincoln City, Indiana; and the Lincoln Museum, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

While studying for her Education degrees at Indiana University Southeast, Donna began directing children's theater and working with various community theaters. It is through her portrayal of Mrs. Lincoln that her love for history and drama are combined to teach living history. Donna is a former adjunct facility member at several local colleges where she taught composition and research writing.

Donna serves as the chairman of the MTL committee for the ALP. She is also an officer and a member of the Board of Directors. The ALP's Outstanding Mary Lincoln Award was presented to "Donna in 1997 and again in 2000. She has had the opportunity to write and publish articles for Lincarnations, the ALP's news for Lincoln presenters and enthusiasts. Donna and her co-author, Todd family historian, Gerald D. Swick, wrote an article titled "His Own Place in the Sun" which was published by Lincoln Lore, a magazine published by the Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In this article, new research is discussed about Robert Todd Lincoln's burial in Arlington National Cemetery. Most recently, Donna wrote Lincoln's Table which features recipes enjoyed by the Lincoln family. Lincoln's Table was published by Guild Press of Indiana, an Emmis Communications company.

Donna D. McCreary presents Mary Todd Lincoln

LOVE IS ETERNAL, MRS. LINCOLN -

This is a one-woman show depicting Mary Lincoln as the First Lady. The Civil War is nearly over, and Mrs. Lincoln defends herself and her husband's political views while discussing the devastation the war has brought to their family. She also tells about her girlhood in Kentucky where Mary was born and raised in one of Lexington's aristocratic families. She delights in the stories of her life in Springfield, Illinois where she met and fell in love with Abraham Lincoln. The audience is shown the inner circle of the Lincoln family and the love they shared while raising a family of boys. The Lincoln's shared an interest in theatre, poetry, and politics. Mary often helped Mr. Lincoln gather political information from around the country. They entertained lavishly; Mary was famous for her strawberry parties. Mary maintained an interest in community development. She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. After 17 years, Abraham and Mary left their Springfield home to live in the greatest house their country had to offer them: The White House. The audience is brought into the turmoil of the Civil War. Just as the war ripped apart the country and its families, it also ripped apart the Lincoln family. Many of Mary's siblings supported the Confederacy, and Mary fell victim to criticism by politicians and reporters because of her family. This show takes Mary through the end of the war, but not yet to the assassination. We leave her in a happy moment - a moment of triumph for herself, her husband, and their nation.

MARY, WIDOW OF LINCOLN

This one woman, full-length drama tells the story of Mary Lincoln, the widow of America's 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Set in the home of Elizabeth Edwards, Mary's eldest sister who lived in Springfield, Illinois, this play takes a look at Mary Lincoln at the end of her life. Through memories sparked by letters, pictures, and sounds, Mary remembers her life and her family. The audience is taken back on the memorable journey with Mary and allowed to see the complexity of one of America's most controversial historical women. After her husband's death by the hand of an assassin, Mary's life was never the same. She traveled throughout the United States and Europe trying to find some sense of peace in her profound grief. After the death of her youngest son, Tad, Mary's life was completely shattered. Her only surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln, petitioned the courts and had his mother committed to an insane asylum in 1875. Mary then had a new purpose in life - to earn her freedom. After doing so, she spent her remaining years in a self-proclaimed exile with her memories of brighter yesterdays.

THE DEEPEST AFFLICTION - THE TRIAL OF MARY LINCOLN

Your students take the roles of judge and jury in Mary Lincoln's trial. Is she insane as her son claims, or is she a victim of circumstances in a male-dominated society at a time when psychology is in its infancy.

Lincoln's Table - Email Me - Biography