Newspapers have been a part of Lexington life since the early years of its existence. For over one hundred years, the Lexington Herald and Lexington Leader were the two main papers and for most of the last 50 years, they have operated as one merged paper. Annette from Lexington collected these Rookwood pottery tiles from the Lexington Herald building about 40 years ago.
Henry Clay’s great-granddaughter Madeline McDowell Breckinridge spent a lot of time in that building and may have seen these tiles there. She often wrote articles for the paper in support of her many progressive causes including women’s suffrage. She was aided by her husband Desha who edited the paper. Though Desha at first didn’t champion her causes, she was able to convince him of their merit through her spirit and tenacity, especially when it came to granting women the right to vote!
To view Madge’s portrait in our online catalog, click here!
