Mary Todd Lincoln's stay in Batavia discussed

Mary Todd Lincoln's time in a Batavia insane asylum is the focus of a new book.

Historian Jason Emerson, the author of "The Madness of Mary Lincoln," will be in Batavia on Sunday to speak on the topic and sign copies of his book.

"It really sheds a different light on the whole situation and helps us understand what was happening at that time," said Chris Winter, director of the Batavia Depot Museum. The museum helped to provide photographs for a magazine article by Emerson before the book's release.

Emerson, who lives in Fredericksburg, Va., will be at the Depot Museum, 155 Houston St., from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for a "meet the author" session and book signing.

At 3 p.m., he will give a presentation on his research and book at the Batavia Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.

His work focuses on a private collection of letters written by Lincoln, doctors, lawyers and friends during her time in Bellevue Place, a sanitarium for women, in 1875.

Most research on Mary Todd Lincoln focuses on the family's time in the White House, not her five months in the asylum 10 years after her husband was killed, Winter said.

The book already is creating more interest in the museum, which has Lincoln's bed and dresser from her time in Bellevue, Winter said.

"It's just a great experience for the museum and to learn about Batavia history," she said.

Both events are free, but registration is requested for the library program by calling (630) 879-4777.