Mentelle Park

Historical marker location:

Lexington, Kentucky

( Entrance of Mentelle Park off Richmond Rd., Lexington)

Charlotte and Waldemarde Mentelle fled their native Paris during the French Revolution. They moved to Lexington in 1798 and opened a school for girls. In 1805, they were given lifelong use of Rose Hill, near Henry Clay’s home, Ashland. Mentelle’s for Young Ladies hadboth boarders and day students. Mary Todd Lincoln attended from 1832-1836.

(Reverse) In 1790, James Masterson bought 100 acres here from Gen. James Wilkinson. The Mentelles bought some of this land and, in 1906, the 14-acre estate of Waldemarde Jr. was divided into 56 lots, creating Mentelle Park. Several surrounding neighborhoods were added later. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Lexington Mary Todd Lincoln National Register of Historic Places Schools