James L. Swanson Appearances and Related Events

Best-selling author’s free appearances highlight a roster of community events

Frederick, Md. --- James L. Swanson, author of “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer,” will discuss his book, his meticulous research, and the turbulent Civil War era on Wednesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 12 in Frederick. A variety of related events, listed below, take place in conjunction with Frederick Reads.

In response to the event, Harper Collins Publishers recently donated 100 softbound copies of Manhunt to the Frederick Reads Committee. Long waiting lists for copies of Manhunt at Frederick County Public Libraries have been alleviated thanks to the infusion of books.

The book will also be for sale at each of the venues where Mr. Swanson will appear in Frederick, as well as in bookstores throughout the area.

Frederick Reads is a series of interrelated events produced by a consortium of literary, academic, historical, cultural, business and residential supporters to foster the joy of reading. Frederick Reads brings together a wide spectrum of community organizations including Frederick Community College, Hood College, Frederick County Public Libraries, Frederick County Public Schools, the City of Frederick, Downtown Frederick Partnership, The Frederick News-Post, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, WYPR/WYPF 88.1, SAIC and WISCO at the National Cancer Institute-Frederick, and many individuals.

The following activities are associated with Frederick Reads. Visit www.frederickreads.org for the most up-to-date information.

FREDERICK READS AND RELATED EVENTS

March 19 & 26; April 2, 9 & 16

Haunted Prince: The Ghosts of Edwin Booth
Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium, 8th and G Streets, NW, Washington, DC (202) 275-0570

Once approached to perform a centennial celebration of Edwin Booth’s Hamlet because of his “resemblance” to the 19th century actor, actor Gary Sloan—along with his collaborators—has adapted Booth’s letters and selections from the actor’s famous Shakespeare roles into a one-person show. The production, part of the National Portrait Gallery’s “Cultures in Motion” series, uncovers the man behind the legend as he opens a trunk of costumes bequeathed to him by his infamous brother, John Wilkes Booth. Free.

March 24
9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Genealogy Symposium: Researching Your Civil War Ancestors
National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Frederick

The symposium will feature seminars by Jay Graybeal of the U.S. Army War College, Trevor Plante of the National Archives, and Brian Rokicki of the NMCWM on various aspects of researching Civil War ancestors. Lunch is included, and space is limited. $40 for Historical Society of Frederick County members, $50 non-members. For more information and a registration form, visit the HSFC at http://www.hsfcinfo.org/events/index.htm

April 5
7 pm

The Speech that Made Lincoln President
C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick Street, Frederick 21701

In conjunction with the 2007 Frederick Reads Program and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine exhibition, "Lincoln in Life & Death," Bob Hess, a local Lincoln scholar, will expound upon Lincoln's Cooper Union Speech and highlight the reasons it became known as the "Speech that Made Lincoln President."

April 7 – 22
Lincoln In Life & Death

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick Street, Frederick 21701

In conjunction with Frederick Reads’ focus on James L. Swanson's book. Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, the Museum will host a temporary exhibit, "Lincoln in Life & Death." The exhibit will highlight a replica Lincoln coffin, as well as an original lifemask and hand cast from the Gordon Damman collection. Regular admission rates apply.

April 7, 14, 21, and 28

Lincoln’s Assassination: The Little Details
The Surratt House Museum, 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton MD 20735. (301) 868-1121
The Surratt Society holds its eighth annual symposium on the assassination. Visit the Surratt House Museum Web site for more information: http://www.surratt.org/calendar/calendar.html

Monday, April 9, 2007

7 pm

Portrait of a Lincoln Trial Judge: Lew Wallace
Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung Street, Urbana 21704

Lew Wallace led a fascinating life. He pursued many vocations: lawyer, Union major general, politician, governor of New Mexico Territory, minister to the Sultanate of Turkey, soldier-adventurer in Mexico, and of course, author. Gail Stephens of the Monocacy Battlefield Park will talk about Wallace and his role on the military commission trial of Lincoln’s assassination conspirators.

Tuesday, April 10

7 pm

The Life & Death of a Maryland Confederate Physician

C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick Street, Frederick 21701F. Terry Hambrecht will examine the life of Caleb Dorsey Baer through the subject’s diary, biographical information, wartime letters, and Baer’s hand-drawn illustrations. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, April 11

2 pm

James L. Swanson appearance
Frederick Community College, Kussmaul Auditorium

7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick 21702

7:30 pm

James L. Swanson appearance
The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Gardiner Pavilion

40 S. Carroll Street, Frederick 21701

Thursday, April 12
3 pm

James L. Swanson appearance
Interview with Marc Steiner for future broadcast on WYPR 88.1 FM

Hood College Whitaker Center

401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick 21701

7 pm

Portrait of a Lincoln Trial Judge: Lew Wallace
C. Burr Artz Library, 110 E. Patrick Street, Frederick 21701

Lew Wallace led a fascinating life. He pursued many vocations: lawyer, Union major general, politician, governor of New Mexico Territory, minister to the Sultanate of Turkey, soldier-adventurer in Mexico, and of course, author. Gail Stephens of the Monocacy Battlefield Park will talk about Wallace and his role on the military commission trial of Lincoln’s assassination conspirators.

7 pm

John Wilkes Booth: Dead or Alive?
Emmitsburg Branch Library, 301 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg 21727

Following Lincoln’s assassination, conspiracy theories were widespread. Jeff Korman, Director of the Maryland Department at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, presents one of the more unusual theories surrounding Booth: Was he really killed 12 days after he assassinated Lincoln, or did he escape and die in Oklahoma in 1903? Korman presents the “facts” surrounding the story and you can decide!

Friday, April 13

6:30 am – 3:45 pm

John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Bus Tours
Meet at Frederick Towne Mall and join the Historical Society of Frederick County for tours of Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC where Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, the Peterson House where the wounded president died, the 1852 Surratt House, home of Mary Surratt, and the Dr. Samuel Mudd House. Lunch at the Golden Corral in Waldorf in included. For more information and a registration form, visit the HSFC at http://www.hsfcinfo.org/events/index.htm
$55 HSFC members, $65 non-members. The Surratt Society sponsors bus tours each spring and summer along the original route that Booth and his coconspirators followed. For more information, visit: http://www.surratt.org/su_bert.html

April 14

2 pm

The Wounding & Death of President Abraham Lincoln
C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick Street, Frederick 21701

In conjunction with the 2007 Frederick Reads Program and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine exhibition, "Lincoln in Life & Death," costumed interpreter Jason Grabill will present the medical aspects of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

Latest addition:

Dates and locations to be announced
As part of Frederick Reads 2007 programming, Maryland Ensemble Theatre will present three performances of selected scenes from "Our American Cousin." MET will perform the scene prior to and during which President Lincoln was assassinated. Based on details from James Swanson's book, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, the performance will include information about Booth's whereabouts and activities during the play, the crowd's reaction and the immediate aftermath of the assassination. There will be time after the performance for questions and discussion.

For further information, visit www.frederickreads.org or call Marcia Hall, 301-600-1382 or mhall@cityoffrederick.com