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the House, Secretary of State and three- dent but I could marry a man who could a great-nephew of Daniel Boone, built
time presidential candidate. When Clay be,’ ” Miller told us. Many furnishings Waveland, a Greek Revival beauty, in
died in 1852, Lincoln called him “the in the home are from Mary Todd’s time 1847. Our tour with Ron Bryant, “a de-
beau ideal of a statesman,” in his very here, so imagine Abraham Lincoln sit- scendant 17 ways from the family,” was
poignant eulogy. Though Ashland was ting around that card table. a highlight.
built in 1857 for Clay’s son since the
original home had been torn down, a A client of lawyer Clay, Joseph Bryan, Bryan’s youngest son, Joseph Henry,
lot of family memorabilia relating to “was not what he wanted,” Bryant told
the historic statesman is on view in this
wondrous Italianate home.
Top: The craft brewing game is on tap
The Mary Todd Lincoln House is the in Lexington, including here at West
country’s first museum to honor a first Sixth Brewing in The Bread Box com-
lady. This 1803 home served as an inn plex. Bottom: The Hunt-Morgan House
for 20 years before Mary’s father, Rob-
ert Todd, bought it to house his family on historic Gratz Park in Lexington
of 16 children. Todd was a very influen- began the city’s historic preservation
tial Lexingtonian: he co-founded Tran- movement. The tour here is another
sylvania University, was an owner of a fascinating glimpse into 19th century
cotton manufacturing plant, and presi- life in this storied city.
dent of Bank of Kentucky.
Opposite top:The shrimp po’boy at
Our tour guide, Michael Miller, point- Smithtown Seafoods in Lexington is as
ed out in the parlor that “Lincoln’s log good as it looks. Opposite bottom: Take
cabin birthplace would have fit in this a class in traditional Kentucky cuisine
room.” Mary Todd came from a very from chef Phil Dunn. He gives great
wealthy family who exposed her to ed- tips on making fried green tomatoes,
ucation and politics. as well as mini Hot Browns (Kentucky’s
“She knows she can’t run for office, but fabled sandwich) and beer cheese,
tells her sister, ‘I could never be presi- another locals’ favorite.

Wine Dine & Travel Summer/Fall 2015 75