Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Very nice, Dawn. Thank you. Some good PR there and it's well deserved. When you read that piece, you only get a small taste of the knowledge that's under that roof.

Wonderful PR for Surratt House indeed!

Great!

Laurie is older than I thought.

But I'm still younger than you, Roger... By one month, I believe.

Thanks to this article, I am now getting ready to return a phone call from Channel 4 News here in D.C., the hometown equivalent of NBC. Ain't fame grand?

What lovely looking docents you have there...

Yes, Dave, the hand holding the Ring of Conspirators print belongs to Lovely Lindsey -- who, BTW, looks very fetching in her new, period frock that you helped her pick out. She's putting it to good use since she has given tours to two bus groups in two days and will be working in a school with about 200 8th graders on Friday. I bet that undergarment known as a corset comes off very quickly once she's through with the kiddies - enough is enough of being authentic...

Speaking of giving tours: When did you say you would be strapping on your suspenders and training to be a guide? Was it when school let out this summer? And when did you want to prepare yourself for non-stop talking for twelve hours while narrating a Booth Tour? Did I tell you that I tend to be a nag?

We had another nice surprise on Friday with a half-page article on our Booth escape route tours in the newspaper produced weekly for Joint Base Andrews. No one knew that this staff reporter had signed up until after the day-long journey had begun.

With my apologies to Bob Summers, I have to quote here: "The tour stops at Mudd House...The museum's staff and volunteers are Mudd descendants as well [only some of them] and tell a very controlled version of the story of Mudd's involvement in the plot...Mudd House is a great place to envision life in Southern Maryland during the Civil War era...., but it's not a place where debate is welcome on Mudd's involvement before the assassination, his knowledge of Booth's identity, or the circumstances of his injury or the nature of any other assistance Mudd may have provided beyond basic medical care. Save those questions for when you get back on the bus."

In comparison, here's what was written about Surratt House tours: "Costumed docents give a balanced presentation of the Surratt family's participation in the assassination plot, without pushing any particular opinions about Mary Surratt's conviction by a military court and execution in July 1865."

I would like to note here that, at Surratt House, we do not demand that our volunteers and staff have no personal opinions whatsoever. Lord knows, I have plenty of opinions!!! (Stop agreeing with me!). However, the official stance on tours is to show both sides of the issue. If a guide is asked what they, personally, think, they are welcome to give their opinion as long as they state that it is their opinion, based on their studies and interpretation of the subject.

Laurie, will the newspaper allow you to print it here?
Is there a link to the article?

Gene,

I'm not good at these computer things, but try http://www.dcmilitary.com to see if you can find it - May 10 edition.

We have a Historic Preservation Month reception here tomorrow for 150+ people, so I'm tying up loose ends.

It's online here.

Laurie: the article listed your age as 69-and we all thought you were holding at 29!

I have no problem admitting to my age. I'll turn the big 70 in October, but I consider myself just like fine wine, brandy, and Joe's Vermont white cheddar -- aged to perfection!

The knees don't want to work right, but as long as I have my brain and my mouth I consider myself in good working order. Now, some of you may disagree about that, but please keep it to yourself...

Actually, I tell a lot of people that I always wanted to be a Golden Girl when I grew up. I'm actually just a Brassy Broad - but what is a girl to do?

Don't change a bit-and you're right-you just get better.