There are so many instances in U.S. History where the hand of fate seems to be operating and Christopher Daley thinks this is one! Join him for this presentation as we approach the 157th anniversary of the Assassination (April 15, 1865) to look back at this tragic event in our history. Richmond has fallen, General Robert E. Lee has surrendered; the Civil War was ending. And then, Abraham Lincoln was plucked from this earth as if his mission here had been accomplished - to keep the United States united...to preserve the Union!
The presentation is about an hour in length. It begins with a short synopsis of the backdrop of the Civil War leading into a discussion about the plot to kidnap Lincoln and how that plot developed into a scheme to assassinate the President. Next, the movements of both Lincoln and Booth during the day of the assassination are meticulously chronicled using a simultaneous timeline. And then, the assassination is recounted in stunning detail. Subsequently, the escape and capture of John Wilkes Booth is fully described. Finally, the talk concludes with a vivid description of the trial of the all of the conspirators and execution of four - Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold and George Atzerodt.
This lecture is the result of many years of research and travel. In addition to the examination of all sources, Christopher has been to Washington D.C. to photograph and document the sites connected to the assassination - Ford’s Theater, the Peterson House, Mary Surratt’s Boarding House and Fort McNair. He's also been to sites in both Maryland and Virginia, walking in the footsteps of the assassin by tracing the escape route. At these stops along the escape route he was able to document them extensively, both in still images and video. Some of those points were the Surratt Tavern in Clinton, Maryland, the house of Dr. Mudd in Waldorf Maryland, the Pine Thicket Hideout in Bel Alton Maryland, and also the site of the death of John Wilkes Booth - the Garrett Farm in Port Royal Virginia.
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Christopher Daley has been speaking all over New England for the past 30 years and virtually via Zoom throughout the United States for the past two years on historical topics of interest; at libraries, historical societies, schools and all sorts of clubs and organizations!
He holds a B.A. and an M.A. from Bridgewater State University in Political Science and History. He was formerly the President of the Pembroke Historical Society and Chairman of the Pembroke Historical Commission. He was also a docent at the John Alden House Historic Site as well as Coordinator of Educational Outreach. Additionally, this past September, Chris retired from his position as history teacher in the Silver Lake Regional School System in Kingston, Massachusetts after teaching for 25 years.
Chris has written several articles on varied historical topics for local publications and has written his first book entitled "Murder and Mayhem in Boston: Historic Crimes in the Hub.” Chris has also served as historical consultant on the Sacco-Vanzetti Case for the Travel Channel's program "Time Traveling with Brian Unger." He also appeared in two episodes of the Travel Channel's "Kindred Spirits" in the capacity of historian on shows about the Lizzie Borden Case.
Chris' wife Cathy is his fellow researcher and travels along as Daley History's Professional Photographer. Christopher and his wife reside in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
