Tracing the Flight of John Wilkes Booth

After John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington, on April 14, 1865, he spent 12 days on the run before reaching Garrett’s Farm in Virginia where he either killed himself or was shot by federal troops. Those 12 days are condensed into a 12-hour John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour sponsored by the Surratt House Museum in Clinton, Md.

Every year the first tour of the season is held on the Saturday closest to the assassination--this year it’s April 13. There are five other tour dates: April 27, May 11 and 25, Sept. 7 and 14.

Participants will hear lectures by nationally recognized authorities on the Lincoln assassination and tour Surratt House where Booth and his fellow conspirators met. Other stops include the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd where Booth sought treatment for his broken leg, and Garrett’s Farm. Tickets are $45 (not including lunch at a restaurant on the banks of the Potomac) and early reservations are required. For more information, contact the Surratt House Museum, P.O. Box 427, Clinton, MD 20735, (301) 868-1121.