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At the Crossroads of Conflict In the spring of 1861, as the Civil War broke out and divided the nation, Maryland braced itself for battle. Living near the Potomac River, the conflict’s pivotal border between North and South, Maryland’s citizens would witness the brutality of the war firsthand. The long clash engulfed homes, towns and livelihoods, leaving its mark here and in the area’s many battlefields. Local citizens, though divided by conviction, were united by[...]

Ask the question, “Who is John Wilkes Booth?” today and you’ll get answers like “villain,” “murderer,” and “assassin,” but if you’d asked the same question prior to the dark day of April 14, 1865, you would have received a very different answer. Born in Bel Air, Maryland, Booth was charming, wickedly handsome, the scion of a famous acting family, and one of the brightest stars of American theater. Booth was the ninth of ten children[...]

After shooting President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, John Wilkes Booth fled into Southern Maryland and towards Virginia. His leg broken in a fall at the theater, Booth met up with accomplice David Herold before stopping at the Surratt House and Tavern for supplies and guns stashed there earlier. Booth and Herold then stopped at the farmhouse of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who splinted the assassin's leg. They managed to cross the Potomac River into[...]

Follow the escape route of John Wilkes Booth, one of history’s most notorious assassins, as he fled from Washington, D.C., and hid for several days in Southern Maryland before being cornered. The Civil War was coming to an end and hopes were high that the mending of America could quickly get under way. But on the night of April 14, 1865, thoughts of reconciliation suffered a serious setback. John Wilkes Booth, a Maryland-born actor and[...]

John Wilkes Booth Civil War Trails Guide

Carved through the countryside and spanning 184.5 spectacular miles from Washington D.C. to Cumberland, consider the C&O Canal a canvas waiting for you to paint your picture-perfect getaway. Take it easy and stroll a few miles, then stop at one of the welcoming towns along the way. Load up your panniers and bike the whole length of this “Grand Ol’ Ditch.” Or pack up the car for an afternoon or a long weekend and explore[...]

Myths & Facts About Harriet Tubman Myth: Harriet Tubman rescued 300 people in 19 trips. Fact: According to Tubman’s own words, and extensive documentation on her rescue missions, we know that she rescued about 70 people – family and friends – during approximately 13 trips to Maryland. During public and private meetings during 1858 and 1859, Tubman repeatedly told people that she had rescued 50 to 60 people in 8 or 9 trips. This was[...]

1608 – Captain John Smith explores the Chesapeake Bay 1631 – English trading post established on Kent Island 1632 – Maryland Charter granted to Cecilius Calvert by King Charles I 1633 – Ark and Dove sail from the Isle of Wight, England 1634 – Ark and Dove arrive at St. Clements Island; St. Mary's City founded 1649 – "An Act Concerning Religion" passed; Puritans founded Providence (now Annapolis) 1664 – Slavery allowed by law in[...]