Lincoln Assassination Exhibit At The Newseum

Currently on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. is an exhibit about Lincoln's assassination and the ensuing hunt for his assassin, John Wilkes Booth. "Manhunt: Chasing Lincoln's Killer" opened a few months ago and will be featured at the Newseum until February 28, 2010.

The exhibit is a joint product of the Newseum and James L. Swanson, the author of "Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase For Lincoln's Killer," a former best-seller. If you've not read the book, do yourself a favor and do so. The narrative is gripping and expertly captures the national drama surrounding the assassination and the desperate efforts to capture Booth and the conspirators.

Unlike previous exhibits about the assassination, this one presents how the media reported the tragedy and the search for Booth. Featured are reproduction and original newspapers, mourning posters and photos, and other artifacts depicting how the public was kept informed. Photos of Lincoln, Booth, his co-conspirators are shown to tell the story. Reproduction casts of Lincoln's face and hands are also on display in the exhibit.

The exhibit has proven to be a popular one at the Newseum, the only such museum dedicated to the history of modern news reporting. Ironically, it's located in Washington, D.C. at the site of the National Hotel, used by Booth for lodging in the days leading up to the assassination.

The link I listed in the opening paragraph contains more information about the exhibit, including video of Mr. Swanson explaining more about the events of April 1865. Also featured are interactive maps showing the various places which factored in the assassination.

There are of course numerous resources available for learning more about Lincoln's assassination. PBS ran a special back in February about it on American Experience. My review of the show may be found here. It was basically a film version of Swanson's book. The History Channel had a two-hour documentary about 18 months ago titled "The Hunt For John Wilkes Booth." You can read more about that documentary here. Finally, a more detailed story about this exhibit in Washington may be found here.

Investigating Lincoln's Murder

In Washington, D.C. this summer, a new walking tour has begun in which the investigation of Lincoln's assassination is re-created. Beginning at Ford's Theater, the site of the shooting, an actor leads tour participants in a 90-minute walk during which people are encouraged to look for clues in hunting the assassin. Stops along the way include the alley behind the theater in which John Wilkes Booth mounted his horse during his escape; sites of hotels and houses that Booth was known to frequent; and the site of the Kirkwood House, where vice-president Andrew Johnson lived and who was once a target of the assassination plot.

The tour ends at the White House, where the final results of the investigation are revealed, including the hangings of four co-conspirators of Booth.

Actor Kip Pierson portrays Detective James McDevitt, a real-life Washington police officer who was on duty the night of the assassination. The tour costs $12.00 a person and will be on Wednesdays August 20 and 27 at 7:00 p.m. Beginning on September 13, the tours will be on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. The last tour of the season will be on October 25. Contact Ford's Theater at 202-638-2367 or by visiting the Ford's Theater website.

The Lincoln Funeral Train Carving By An American Master

At the Warther Museum in the small northeastern Ohio town of Dover, visitors can view masterpiece scale-replica carvings of famous trains from American history.

Ernest "Mooney" Warther was both an artistic and mechanical genius. One of his most magnificent creations is this exquisitely detailed model of the Abraham Lincoln funeral train. Carved in just one year from ebony wood and ivory, this model train has been called a priceless piece of art by the Smithsonian Institution. The wheels and other parts are movable as well. The carving is an exact scale replica of the original train which carried Lincoln's body back to Springfield, Illinois.

To me, the most astonishing thing about this and the other carvings in the museum is the fact that Mr. Warther had only a second grade education. His models are not only beautifully detailed, but they required an outstanding knowledge of mechanical engineering as well.

Dover, Ohio is located approximately 30 miles south of Canton or about 100 miles from Columbus. The museum is well worth the visit.

Ford's Theater To Undergo Renovation And Expansion

Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C., the site of Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865 is going under renovation and expansion. An article from the Associated Press details that the theater will become part of a 6-building complex. The complex will include a new museum across the street from the working theater and will help to provide visitors with more insight into the events leading to the assassination.

The weapon John Wilkes Booth used to kill Lincoln will remain on display.