Countdown to July 7

[L Verge]

Interesting and appropriate way to spend the day at Surratt House. The Ford's Theatre Society received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to conduct two, week-long institutes for teachers this summer. The first one started yesterday; the second will be the week of July 27.

On this second day, the focus was on Lincoln's assassination. 45 people arrived at Surratt House at 10:15 in the morning, having gotten background information from Dr. Terry Alford as they followed the Booth trail out of D.C. to our museum. Once here, they were divided into two tour groups and spent the next hour and half touring the historic house, visitors' center, and research center before having lunch.

After lunch, we all watched The Conspirator movie and then Terry and I fielded questions about the assassination, the escape, and specifically about the story of Mary Surratt. Only a few of the teachers had seen the movie before, but quite a few points were brought out that would make great lesson plans -- including a mock trial, discussion of the phrase "In times of war, the laws fall silent," ex parte Milligan (which has loopholes), etc.

This group came from all across the country with only one being from the D.C. area. Christine, I was even able to put in a plug for all your Aiken research that led to our erecting a tombstone for him several years ago. Good way to win friends and influence teachers...