Julia Wilbur

[L Verge]

We started considering recording our conference sessions about 6-7 years ago and selling them. However, we soon found difficulties - mainly, it isn't cheap, and even one of our computer experts could not get top quality recordings where lips and voice were in sync. We also found that we could run into copyright issues, and also (and most importantly) not all of our speakers wanted to be recorded. We then asked the speakers to submit their speeches in finished form so that we could compile booklets. They reacted strongly to that because most just speak from notes and were not willing to turn those notes into a finished product.

We have had a wonderful reception from our community with these lecture programs especially. Our February one was standing room only (over 90 people in a room designed for theater seating of 75), and no one complained. Yesterday's audience was much smaller, but still over 30 people who dared a very miserable weather day to come out at 4 pm. Since we started doing these programs over 5-6 years ago, we have averaged about 40 per lecture. Music programs usually draw the most.

We had as many as 145 for one on Civil War music, over 100 for slave music, but the all-time high was a first-person Frederick Douglass presentation that had to be given twice to accommodate everyone. When we shut the doors the first time, we still had about 40 people waiting to get inside. Mr. Douglass gently told us that he would be happy to give a second performance. Our volunteers agreed to continue giving tours past 4 pm, so those still in line got free tours of the museum and then returned to our meeting room at the James O. Hall Research Center to hear Mr. Douglass.

I should add also that the programs generate publicity for Surratt House through press releases and word of mouth. We have had several of the hometown newspapers pick up on them and send reporters. Another great thing is that some of the audience members give us ideas for future programs. Yesterday's had a woman who gives first-person presentations on Harriet Jacobs, whom I mentioned in the Julia Wilbur posting. You better believe we have her contact information!