Department of Tourism
Henry Clay Estate to Host Lincoln Legacy Day Aug. 4

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of monthly news releases on the Lincoln Bicentennial in Kentucky.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has designated Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, as one of Kentucky’s signature sites to participate in numerous festivities over the next two years commemorating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

Ashland will kick off its Lincoln celebrations on Saturday Aug. 4 with a free Lincoln Legacy Day at Ashland.  Pack a brown bag lunch or pick up a boxed lunch at the Gingko Tree Café at Ashland and join what promises to be a special dramatic performance on the back terrace of the estate.

George McGee of the Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua will portray Henry Clay as he delivers excerpts from the famous Market Speech given by Clay in Lexington in 1847.  Kentucky actor Kevin Lanham will portray Abraham Lincoln and will deliver part of the eulogy Lincoln wrote upon Clay’s death in 1852. Midway resident Donna Foreman will portray Mary Todd Lincoln.  Period music will be performed by Chris Propes.

The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Several special exhibits of Lincoln artifacts prepared for the event will remain on display through the end of the year, said Eric Brooks, Ashland’s curator. Call 859-266-8581 for more information or visit the website: www.henryclay.org.  Rain date is Aug. 11.

Funding for this program is provided by the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

T

he purposes of the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation are to preserve Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, as a National Historic Landmark and educational center for the cultural and social history of the 19th century and specifically to interpret the life and times of Henry Clay, the Clay family and other residents of Ashland for the public.

###

The Kentucky Department of Tourism, an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, exists to promote The Commonwealth as a travel destination, generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky’s economy.