According to Racine Lincoln historian and scholar Steven K. Rogstad, her 51-day stay reveals a fascinating chapter of local and American history that has largely been overlooked. For years, historians have suggested Mary Lincoln traveled to Racine to explore Racine College, now known as The DeKoven Center, as a possible school for her youngest son, Thomas "Tad" Lincoln. Mary Lincoln suffered a severe case of heat stroke and later sustained a serious fall at her hotel, leaving her incapacitated for several weeks. On the grounds of Gateway Technical College, visitors can find the Abraham and Mary Lincoln statue, unveiled in 1943. They also highlight the importance of preserving local history and recognizing how stories from individual communities contribute to the broader narrative of American history.