We're having a very busy summer season at Surratt House, and yesterday (Saturday, July 11) was even more active as we hosted our annual mid-summer open house by offering free, guided tours of the museum. During the day, we were also "occupied" by a unit of the 3rd U.S. Volunteer Infantry who camped on our lawn and did camp life demonstrations from foodways to firing demonstrations and drum and fife corps.

The best part of the day was hearing visitors returning after the tours declaring, "We learned so much today. "We never knew there was so much history attached to this house!" "Your guides [all volunteers] are wonderful."

Today, I'm posting this at work once again because we currently have the open house continuing and, in addition, are hosting 30 people who are participating in a Rolls Royce tour of the Booth escape route. Outside my window are vintage Rolls, Bentleys, and several others that I don't know the makes. Interesting days at the old hacienda.

(07-12-2015 11:18 AM)L Verge Wrote:  The best part of the day was hearing visitors returning after the tours declaring, "We learned so much today. "We never knew there was so much history attached to this house!" "Your guides [all volunteers] are wonderful."

That is great to hear, Laurie!

(07-12-2015 11:42 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(07-12-2015 11:18 AM)L Verge Wrote:  The best part of the day was hearing visitors returning after the tours declaring, "We learned so much today. "We never knew there was so much history attached to this house!" "Your guides [all volunteers] are wonderful."

That is great to hear, Laurie!

I forgot to mention that I learned yesterday what the REAL reason was for the North invading the South to begin the Civil War: That Yankee unit said that the war began because Lincoln wanted the rights to the song "Dixie," and the soldiers wanted some good Southern barbecue!

(07-12-2015 11:42 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(07-12-2015 11:18 AM)L Verge Wrote:  The best part of the day was hearing visitors returning after the tours declaring, "We learned so much today. "We never knew there was so much history attached to this house!" "Your guides [all volunteers] are wonderful."

That is great to hear, Laurie!

I second Roger, and wish I could be there to see the vintage car scenery. (If anyone snapped a photo, could you post?)

(07-12-2015 03:49 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  

(07-12-2015 11:42 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(07-12-2015 11:18 AM)L Verge Wrote:  The best part of the day was hearing visitors returning after the tours declaring, "We learned so much today. "We never knew there was so much history attached to this house!" "Your guides [all volunteers] are wonderful."

That is great to hear, Laurie!

I second Roger, and wish I could be there to see the vintage car scenery. (If anyone snapped a photo, could you post?)

We did get some photos, and I will try to remember to have some sent to Roger to post. I'm not talented in the computer arena. An interesting photo from yesterday's encampment shows one of the soldiers demonstrating the power of a single Civil War bullet by shooting into a gallon milk jug filled with water. We had a professional photographer on the grounds who was able to catch the entire process on film - from the moment it hit the jug to the water flying in all directions. It gives a good "feel" (pun intended) for what happened when a bullet hit a human! P.S. My volunteers saved over three dozen milk jugs over the past few months to assist in this demonstration.