Mary Lincoln's Cape

Mary Lincoln gave this cloak to Elizabeth Keckly, her personal dressmaker and confidante, who was a prominent member of free black society in Washington. The cloak is floor-length and made of black velvet. It is decorated with intricate filigree designs. There are five bloodstained areas, thought to be from Major Rathbone. Although severely wounded, he guided Mary from the theatre to the Petersen boarding house.