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Tour Booth's escape route

This weekend, the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation offers a tour of the famous escape route taken by John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. The tour winds through every step of Booth's escape route, from Ford's Theater in Washington to the Garrett farm, where Booth was captured.

By LISA CHINN

Date published: 4/5/2001

THE FREE LANCE-STAR

This Saturday you have the chance to follow in the footsteps of an assassin.

A tour of the escape route of John Wilkes Booth begins at Ford's Theatre, where Booth fired the fatal shot at President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

Participants will follow every step of the famous escape that led to a 10-day manhunt in the tour led by expert guides from the Surratt Society.

The event starts at the presidential box at the Washington theater, where the initial shot rang out. And it winds its way to the Garrett Farm in Bowling Green, where Union troops set fire to the barn where Booth allegedly was hiding.

The all-day tour stops at various points along the way, including the farm of Dr. Samuel Mudd. Mudd treated Booth for injuries he got when he leaped onto Ford's stage right after the murder.

The tour departs at 7 a.m. from the Chatham Square parking lot off Butler Road in Falmouth. Participants can expect to return at approximately 6 p.m.

The cost is $65, which includes transportation and lunch at Capt. Billy's seafood restaurant in Maryland.

Advance registration is required. For more information, call the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc. at 540/371-4504.

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Date published: 4/5/2001