Lincoln's City & Booth's Escape: Civil War Tour

Description

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President Abraham Lincoln was one of the most iconic leaders in U.S. history. His appeal stretches throughout the world and to leaders across many generations and ideologies,This event will examine the many facets of  Lincoln’s life and legend.
 
Discover Frederick’s role in the Civil War with Director Gordon Dammann of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine on Wednesday followed by a thorough tour of the Cumberland Valley and its famous presidential visits. Sites will include the Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg, Thaddeus Stevens Blacksmith Shop, Buchanan Birthplace State Park, First Baptist Church in Hagerstown, Md. where LBJ worshipped and much more.
 
Join us as we dive into the political, social and economic factors that shaped Lincoln’s presidency during Friday’s sessions. Then on Saturday and Sunday explore tours of Washington City as Lincoln would have many years ago. The final leg of our journey will track the trail of John Wilkes Booth as he fled to the Virginia countryside in hot pursuit. Joan Chaconas and Dr. Ed Steers will lead us.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ted Alexander, Co-Founder

Seminar based at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott at 5220 Westview Dr., Frederick, MD 21703.
Deluxe continental breakfast each morning. Each participant will receive a packet of tactical maps and name badge.
 
Wednesday, October 10
1 - 6 p.m.  “Amongst the Clustered Spires: Touring Civil War Frederick” bus & walking tour led by Dr. Gordon Dammann
· Bus leaves from Fairfield Inn
Bus Tour Description:
Join us as we walk in the footsteps of Lincoln, Stonewall Jackson and other greats from the nineteenth century. This trek will lead us to sites not often visited on standard tours.
Sites to visit:
· Mt. Olivet Cemetery: view graves of Confederate soldiers, Francis Scott Key, Battle of Monocacy and Barbara Fritchie
· Historic Hessian barracks—wartime hospital
· Roger Brooke Taney Law Office and grave
· Historic churches used as hospitals during the war
· Behind-the-scenes visit to National Museum of Civil War Medicine led by Director Gordon Dammann
· And more!
Thursday, October 11
Breakfast at Fairfield Inn (avail. 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.)
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. “In the Footsteps of the Presidents” bus & walking tour led by Ted Alexander
· Bus leaves from Fairfield Inn
· Lunch included
· Dinner on your own
Bus Tour Description:
The area along the famed Mason Dixon line contains sites related to at least five U.S. Presidents. Join us on the trail of these famous men to many off-the-beaten path locations.
Sites to visit:
· Lincoln & Eisenhower sites in Gettysburg
· Thaddeus Stevens Blacksmith Shop
· James Buchanan Birthplace State Park
· Harriet Lane House associated with James Buchanan
· Places of worship in Hagerstown attended by Andrew Jackson and Lyndon B. Johnson, including First Baptist Church
· And more!
Friday, October 12
Breakfast at Fairfield Inn (avail. 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.)
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Sessions at Residence Inn by Marriott
· Sessions in Windswept Room
· Lunch on your own
· Gala Dinner with featured speaker Dr. Steers
Topics to discuss include:
· “Mysteries of the Museum: Artifact collections of Ford’s Theatre” - Gloria Swift
à Ford’s Theater museum contains many unique relics associated with the Lincoln assassination and the life of the 16th president.  The former curator will reveal many of the rare and unseen artifacts.
· “Harriet Lane: First Lady” - Bob O’Connor
à President James Buchanan was the only bachelor president to hold the office of the president.
· “’The Capitol Can’t Be Taken:’ The Civil War Defenses of Washington” - Steve Phan
à Washington, D.C. was the symbol of the Union. It was the epicenter of the Federal government that fueled and directed the country's war machine.  For President Abraham Lincoln, the city was to be defended at all costs; and it was. By 1865, Washington, D.C. was one of the most fortified cities in the world. 68 major forts supported by 93 batteries and bristling with over 900 cannons surrounded the Capitol of the United States. The landscape has altered greatly since 1861 when one obsolete fortification protected the Federal city. War changed Washington forever. 
12 - 2 p.m. Lunch on your own
2 - 6 p.m. Sessions Cont.
· “Ever the Gray Ghost: Colonel John Singleton Mosby and the Lincoln Conspiracies” - David Goetz
à  This is the story of why and how Colonel Mosby and Mosby's Rangers became involved in the planning to assist in the capture of President Lincoln. We will track the main lines of the money trail that set up the Canada operation, discuss Confederate plans to burn New York and establish the Secret Line in Maryland. We’ll also examine how and why Mosby sent four companies out of his seven to the Northern Neck in December 1864.  We will also dissect Mosby's role in creating an eighth company in April 1865 that was intended to escort a saboteur into Fairfax Co., Va. to be met by a Confederate underground who would insert him into Washington to blow up the White House with Lincoln in it.  This failed attempt may have triggered Booth to take care of Lincoln himself.
· Thaddeus Stevens: Protector of Lincoln’s Legacy”  - Ross Hetrick
à  During the Civil War, Lincoln adopted positions, such as freeing the slaves and putting them in the army, that were first championed  by congressman Thaddeus Stevens. After the war, Stevens protected the gains of the Civil War against President Andrew Johnson. Stevens expanded on Lincoln's accomplishments with the adoption of the 14th Amendment and the military control of the South.
· “Presidents and Gettysburg with Special Attention to President Kennedy’s 1963 Visit” - Richard Goedkoop
à  Focusing on Presidential connections to Gettysburg in the wake of Lincoln's November 1863 visit and speech with special attention to President Kennedy's March 31, 1963 visit and tour. 
· “Lincoln and the Germans: Votes, Political Patronage, and Ethnic Issues in Wartime.” - Dr. Christian Keller
à  Lincoln needed German-American votes to ensure victory in both the 1860 and 1864 presidential elections. Winning too few of those votes could have spelled political disaster for the new Republican Party and him. Inextricably linked to those votes were the issues of wartime nativism and ethnic politics, especially the appointment/management of German-American generals and the experiences of German-American regiments.
6 p.m. Gala Dinner followed by featured keynote speaker Dr. Steers
· “Abraham Lincoln: American Icon”
- Dr. Edward Steers
à   Lincoln’s image is displayed worldwide in sites as diverse as London and Tokyo. His writings and thoughts have been studied by world leaders across the ideological spectrum. Our speaker, a leading Lincoln historian, will review Lincoln’s impact as a political icon in our country and around the world.
 
Saturday, October 13
Breakfast at Fairfield Inn (avail. 7—10 a.m.)
8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. “Mr. Lincoln’s City: A Look at Civil War Washington” bus & walking tour led by Joan Chaconas and Dr. Ed Steers
· Bus leaves from Fairfield Inn & Suites
· Lunch included
· Dinner on your own
Bus Tour Description:
Explore some of the most significant Lincoln sites in the city with Joan Chaconas and Dr. Ed Steers. 
Sites to visit:
· New York Ave. Presbyterian Church where Lincoln worshipped
· Ft. McNair Courtroom Museum (assassination conspirators trial)
· Anderson Cottage built in the gothic revival style and constructed in 1842-1843. Lincoln lived here for over a quarter of his presidency, making some of his most critical decisions including the Emancipation Proclamation.
· View Clara Barton Sites
· Fort Stevens, one of the best preserved of the Civil War defenses of the city
· Fort DeRussy and more!
Sunday, October 14
Breakfast at Fairfield Inn (avail. 7 - 10 a.m.)
7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Following the tracks of the assassin, John Wilkes Booth bus & walking tour led by Joan Chaconas and Dr. Ed Steers
· Bus leaves from Fairfield Inn & Suites
· Lunch included at Capt. Billy’s
· Dinner on your own
Bus Tour Description:
Follow us as we track the assassin of President Lincoln as he fled South in the Virginia countryside toward his doom at Garrett’s Farm. On April 26, 1865.
Sites to see:
· Ford’s Theatre
· Surratt House
· Dr. Mudd’s House
· Historic homes and churches of southern Maryland including site of Garrett’s Farm where Booth was killed
· And more!
 
** Please note: Bus driver compensation  included.