Movie spotlight on Lincoln helps Clinton museum shine

[Laurie Verge]

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.