Want to come heckle BoothieBarn authors Dave & Kate Taylor in person? Here are some of our public speaking engagements planned for the future.
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2020
Location: Colony South Hotel and Conference Center (7401 Surratts Rd, Clinton, MD 20735)
Time: TBD
Speech: The Prisoners of Shark Island: Fort Jefferson and the Lincoln Conspirators
Speaker: Dave Taylor
Description: In his speech, Dave will discuss what prison life was like for Dr. Mudd, Samuel Arnold, Michael O’Laughlen, and Edman Spangler, the four Lincoln assassination conspirators who were sent to the isolated Dry Tortugas for their role in the crime of the century.
Cost: Dave’s speech is one of seven that will be presented during the Surratt Society’s annual Lincoln Assassination Conference. The cost for the whole conference (which includes meals and the day of speeches) is $200.
Date: TBD Saturday(s) in April, 2020
Location: Surratt House Museum (9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735)
Time: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Speech: John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Bus Tour
Speaker: Dave Taylor
Description: Dave is one of the narrators for the Surratt House Museum’s John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour. The 12 hour bus tour documents the escape of the assassin through Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Information on how to register can be found here: http://www.surrattmuseum.org/booth-escape-tour
Cost: $85
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2020
Location: Tudor Hall (17 Tudor Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015)
Time: 2:00 pm
Speech: Burying the Booths: Their Final Days and Funerals
Speaker: Dave Taylor
Description: The Booth family of Tudor Hall left an indelible mark on theater and American history. As each Booth shuffled off this mortal coil their deaths were widely commented on in the press. In his speech, Dave Taylor will recount the deaths and final resting places of the various members of the Booth family noting how the nation reacted to the passing of a theatrical dynasty forever tainted by a horrendous crime. More information will be found at: http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall-in-2017_7.html
Cost: $5.00 cash for the talk and a tour of Tudor Hall
Date: Sunday, August 23, 2020
Location: Tudor Hall (17 Tudor Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015)
Time: 2:00 pm
Speech: Lights, Camera, Assassination: John Wilkes Booth on Stage and Screen
Speaker: Kate Taylor
Description: John Wilkes Booth’s theatrical career came to a fiery end in 1865. However, his infamy still lives in modern media, both on stage and on screen. Can an actor’s choices influence opinions about Booth’s character? Does the inclusion of Booth in someone else’s story change the narrative? How is Booth used as a trope in plot lines where he, arguably, doesn’t belong? And are there repercussions to popular media giving Booth the remembrance he so desired in life. Join Kate Taylor as she explores John Wilkes Booth in the modern media. More information will be found at: http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall-in-2017_7.html
Cost: $5.00 cash for the talk and a tour of Tudor Hall
Date: TBD Saturday(s) in September, 2020
Location: Surratt House Museum (9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735)
Time: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Speech: John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Bus Tour
Speaker: Dave Taylor
Description: Dave is one of the narrators for the Surratt House Museum’s John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour. The 12 hour bus tour documents the escape of the assassin through Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Information on how to register can be found here: http://www.surrattmuseum.org/booth-escape-tour
Cost: $85
Date: Sunday, October 4, 2020
Location: Tudor Hall (17 Tudor Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015)
Time: 2:00 pm
Speech: Lights, Camera, Assassination: John Wilkes Booth on Stage and Screen
Speaker: Kate Taylor
Description: John Wilkes Booth’s theatrical career came to a fiery end in 1865. However, his infamy still lives in modern media, both on stage and on screen. Can an actor’s choices influence opinions about Booth’s character? Does the inclusion of Booth in someone else’s story change the narrative? How is Booth used as a trope in plot lines where he, arguably, doesn’t belong? And are there repercussions to popular media giving Booth the remembrance he so desired in life. Join Kate Taylor as she explores John Wilkes Booth in the modern media. More information will be found at: http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall-in-2017_7.html
Cost: $5.00 cash for the talk and a tour of Tudor Hall
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2020
Location: St. Mary’s Bryantown Cemetery (13715 Notre Dame Pl, Bryantown, MD 20617)
Time: 1:00 pm
Speech: A Grave Tour of Dr. Mudd’s Cemetery
Speaker: Dave Taylor
Description: While many people have visited St. Mary’s Bryantown in order to see the grave of Dr. Samuel Mudd, the cemetery is also the final resting place of many of Mudd’s relatives and neighbors. At least 15 residents of St. Mary’s testified regarding Dr. Mudd at his 1865 trial and each one had an interesting tale to tell. As part of the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum’s monthly speaker series, Dave Taylor will host a walking tour of St. Mary’s Cemetery. Learn about the stones and bones that rest in St. Mary’s Bryantown and how they connect to the doctor who set the leg of an assassin.
Cost: Free, but donations for the Dr. Mudd House Museum are always appreciated.
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2020
Location: Tudor Hall (17 Tudor Ln, Bel Air, MD 21015)
Time: 2:00 pm
Speech: Burying the Booths: Their Final Days and Funerals
Speaker: Dave Taylor
Description: The Booth family of Tudor Hall left an indelible mark on theater and American history. As each Booth shuffled off this mortal coil their deaths were widely commented on in the press. In his speech, Dave Taylor will recount the deaths and final resting places of the various members of the Booth family noting how the nation reacted to the passing of a theatrical dynasty forever tainted by a horrendous crime. More information will be found at: http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2016/11/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall-in-2017_7.html
Cost: $5.00 cash for the talk and a tour of Tudor Hall
Additional speeches and information will be posted when available. Past speaking engagements can be seen here: https://boothiebarn.com/about/
If you are interested in having either Dave or Kate speak to your group about any aspect of the Lincoln assassination story, click to Contact Us or email to BoothieBarn@gmail.com
Congratulations on your success. Here’s to many more postings and comments.
P.S. One of these days, I would like to see you narrating one of our Surratt Booth Tours. Just say when…
Somewhere in this thread I wrote that Dave Taylor would make a great BER tour guide, but he would have big shoes to fill, since John Howard is undeniably the best in many years (not since Kauffman has there been one so dynamic and entertaining.) The thought recently occ’d to me that by writing that Dave would have big shoes to fill, it made it sound like John would and could be replaced by Dave. I hope I didn’t give anyone that impression! John is simply the best!
CONGRATULATIONS, DAVE! The work that you are doing here could/should be a template for “how to study history online.” It’s inspirational, not only for its design and ease of use, but its pure purpose, impeccable intent and high standard of excellence. Thank you.
Erik, you are far too kind, sir. Coming from the man who created such a wonderful production with “Killing Lincoln”, I’m honored to have your support.
You might want to do me the favor of removing the knee-jerk possessive apostrophes from my last two “it’s.”
Congrats, Dave! Every person who’s “hit” your site has left with a better and more vivid understanding of the Lincoln assassination; you are doing good and important work.
Jim Garrett and I were discussing the pine thicket last weekend; your name may have come up in our conversation, as your blog had reawakened my long-time interest in it. As with the level of involvement of Mrs. Surratt, my views regarding the pine thicket are in the minority. I feel as though Thomas Jones, even at the late date he wrote of his experiences with Booth, was still guarding what happened; I believe some local persons provided shelter and food for Booth and Herold at least part of the time, and maybe even most of the time, they were supposed to be laying low in that thicket.
I look forward to seeing what you “recreate!”
Best regards–
–Jim
An interesting hypothesis, Jim. We do know of the cabin that was supposed to have cooked the food that was brought to the pair.
As one of the more undocumented parts of the escape route, I’m still trying to scrounge up resources and references. We’ll see what turns up!
Thanks for your kind words.
I concur with Laurie — Dave would certainly — one day — become a wonderful tour guide for the esc. rte. I have only been taken on the bus over the years by John Howard, James O. Hall, and I believe Joan Chaconas. (Mike Kauffman privately took me along the route once, too.) All were g-r-e-a-t, and left nothing to be desired. They were memorable. But there was something about John’s tour last March that made him captivating to me. He added dynamics and an intensity that set him apart from all the rest. Dave will surely have big shoes to fill!
Congratulations, Dave on reaching this great landmark!
P.S. When you go on the esc. rte. again, I would like to know how far (in inches) the outer door to the vestibule is from the door to the box that has the plexiglass behind the rocker. I know you can’t go into the box, but I wish I knew how many inches it is from Lincoln’s rocker to the sofa on which Major Rathbone sat.
All the bus tours I’ve been on have been with John Howard. I agree, Richard, that he does an exceptional job. He’s developed a talk that is not only educational but also extremely engaging. I’m looking forward to another romp with him today.
I have a tape measure with me to fulfill your request. I’ll post about it later.
Here are the pictures I took, Richard:
May I ask what you need this measurement for? I’m sure you’re aware that since the interior of the Ford’s Theatre was reconstructed, it’s highly improbable that this is the exact measurements of the original box.
Dave,
Again many thanks for your continued posts. I do not respond very often but I read everyone and look forward to the next .. I trust someday we will be able to visit. Plainfield missed you.
Thanks, Richard. I spent a good month at home in Illinois this summer, connecting with my roots. I’m so glad to have blog supporters like you.
You are doing a great job, Dave. Kudos.
Thank you, Roger. Your website and forum are the models I strive to replicate here.
Let me add my “like.” Dave investigates and reports on the nuts and bolts of each topic. When someone reads a story and then say’s “I want to know more,” that’s what Dave gives us.
Thanks, Rich. I’m looking forward to reading about all of the nuts and bolts you’ve been researching too.
Dave,
You are a true bright and shining star in the Lincoln Assassination research/history field. Your topics and posts here are thought provoking and innovative! Congratulations and keep up the good work – now get to work on that book!
Thank you, Betty! You are one of my biggest supporters and I’m so grateful to have your friendship.
Congrats, Dave! This blog has become a must-read for me and for countless others.
Thank you for reading, Sharon.
Great job!!
Keep up the good work!!
Thanks, Mr. Hess.
I look forward to this site. It gives me fodder for my tours.
Maybe that’s why you’re my favorite Mudd docent, Donna! 🙂
Also I might be contacting you in the future regarding a future project of mine that could involve the Mudd house.
Greetings, Dave-I’m a lurking reader who’s been visiting your blog (and the prominent message boards) since late last year-just wanted to take the occasion to say how fantastic these posts are-wonderfully well written, tremendously well-presented stuff! As a history buff stuck on the west coast I get to visit these spots I read about thanks to you. Congratulations and kudos!
Thank you, Jenny! I’m so glad my little outings have helped you see a part of the country that is so far away. I’m on the other side of that coin as I’ve never been west of Tucson, Arizona.
Congrats Dave! I always look forward to your next posts. Always educational and fascinating.
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