Mary Todd Lincoln

Watch history come to life when Racine actress and historical impersonator, Jessica Michna, will play the role of former First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln.

Mary recalls her early years and education in Lexington, Kentucky. She recalls how she came to be an abolitionist. She tells of her move to Springfield, Illinois, where she would meet and marry the young prairie lawyer. Mary introduces the audience to life in Washington, regaling her listeners with stories about her boys, including her biggest boy Mr. Lincoln. In this time of national strife, the Lincolns would suffer personal tragedies, concluding on that fateful day in April of 1865.

About the presenter

Jessica Michna, originally from Pennsylvania, developed a love of history at an early age. She and her family visited the many historic sites throughout America. Her school years would find her appearing in various productions, in addition to costume design and construction. Upon graduation several scholarships were offered to further her studies in theater arts. She would opt to earn a degree in psychology from the UW system working several years as a researcher and lecturer. Her love of theater and history would eventually bring Jessica to found her company, “First Impressions”. Since its’ founding in the year 2000, Jessica has expanded her repertoire to include seventeen historic figures.

In 2016 she was awarded the Presidential Service Center’s Distinguished Service award for her riveting portrayals of First Ladies. While she has appeared before a wide range of audiences, including appearances at the National Churchill Museum, the Lincoln Boyhood Home National Site, and Valley Forge, Jessica is particularly fond of performing for senior groups and communities. The life experiences of those in her senior audiences enhances her understanding of life stories. She often reminds her audiences that everyone has a history and encourages them to record their own life stories. “History is not a litany of which general died under which tree. It is the story and life experiences of each human life.”