Events › The Lincoln Assassination with Historian Chris Daley

Join us as we approach the 160th anniversary of the Assassination to look back at this seminal moment in American history.

This lecture is the result of many years of research and travel. In addition to the examination of written sources, historian Chris Daley photographed and documented the major sites connected to the assassination: Ford’s Theater, the Peterson House, Mary Surratt’s Boarding House, and Fort McNair. He traveled to sites in both Maryland and Virginia, walking in the footsteps of the assassin by tracing his escape route and documenting his stops along the way, including Surratt Tavern in Clinton, Maryland, the house of Dr. Mudd in Waldorf Maryland, the Pine Thicket Hideout in Bel Alton Maryland, and finally, the site of Booth's death: the Garrett Farm in Port Royal Virginia.

The presentation is about an hour in length. It begins with a short synopsis of the backdrop of the Civil War leading into a discussion about the plot to kidnap Lincoln and how that plot developed into a scheme to assassinate the President. Next, the movements of both Lincoln and Booth during the day of the assassination are meticulously chronicled using a simultaneous timeline. And then, the assassination is recounted in stunning detail. Subsequently, the escape and capture of John Wilkes Booth is fully described. Finally, the talk concludes with a vivid description of the trial of the all of the conspirators and execution of four: Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt.

Accessibility Notice: We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, contact the department listed in the "Contact Info" pane on the right. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange accommodation.