Association of
Lincoln Presenters - Mary Lincoln Profiles
| Contact Information: |
Donna D. McCreary |
Mrs. President aka |
| Repertoire: |
Love Is Eternal, Mrs. Lincoln – As the Civil War draws to a Close, Mary reflects happily on her life with her family and looks forward to spending the rest of her life with Mr. Lincoln. Mary, the Widow of Lincoln – Through letters and photographs, Mary remembers the joys and tragedies of her life. 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 circumstance in a male-dominated society at a time when psychology is in its infancy. First Ladies Blue and Gray – A chance meeting in Canada brings Mary Lincoln, and Varina Davis, (the wife of Jefferson Davis) face to face. Although in reality they never meet, the audience is given a glimpse at these two storm centers as they search for common ground and debate their causes of the Civil War. (Limited availability.) The Victorian Strip – Fashion was an important part of the Victorian lady’s life. Take a look at what Mary Lincoln and her contemporaries wore and did all in the name of fashion. Mourning: It’s a Way of Life – Victorian society held many beliefs and rituals concerning death and how to honor deceased loved ones. This program takes a look how Mary Lincoln’s life was affected by mourning customs of the era. |
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| Schedule: | Available year round |
Donna holds BS and MS degrees in Secondary Education with teaching certification in English, US History, Speech, and Theatre. She is an award-winning educator who knows how to bring history alive for groups of all ages. She travels extensively researching the Lincoln and Todd families, using information from original documents to take her audiences into America’s turbulent past. She has performed at the Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, IN; the Lincoln Boyhood National Park in Lincoln City, IN, and the Lincoln Home in Springfield, IL. She has won the “ Outstanding MTL Award” from the Association of Lincoln Presenters in 1997 and 2000. Several of her articles about the Lincoln family have been published, and her book Lincoln’s Table presents a cornucopia of recipes for meals served to Abraham Lincoln.
During the past 25 years, Donna has been included in several editions of Who’s Who in America. She has also received numerous civic and professional awards including an International Achievement Award. She has held local and state offices in: Civil War Round Tables; Preservation Organizations: BPW: several education organizations; READ Indiana; and is the founder and past-president of the Charlestown Chamber of Commerce.