Mary Surratt

THE SURRATT SOCIETY


 John Wilkes Booth
Mary Surratt's signature John Wilkes Booth's signature

Purpose and Activities of the Surratt Society

Founded in 1975, the Surratt Society is a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of historic Surratt House. The Society encourages on-going research into the role that this historic site played in the drama surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the way of life in mid-19th century Southern Maryland.

The activities in which the Society engages in order to achieve this purpose are many. Revenue from the Society’s popular John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tours is contributed toward preserving the site. The history of the House and times is provided by volunteer docents who conduct tours and by exhibits, tours and field trips, and special events such as the Victorian Wedding and Croquet Day, holiday candelight tours, and museum open houses. (See the Calendar of Events for specific dates.) Scholarly exchanges and the latest news are published in the Surratt Courier. Historians and experts of the assassination, the era, and the Civil War address Society members at semi-annual gatherings. The Society maintains a research library of topical materials for the use of its members and historical researchers.

Membership and Dues

The 1,200-member Surratt Society invites you to join! There are three types of memberships. General memberships are available for $7 dues per year. Docent members are those persons who accept the responsibilities of being volunteer guides or hosts/hostesses. A one-time membership fee of $5 is levied. For those who wish to support the Society on a continuing basis, life memberships are available for a one-time contribution of $125. All dues and donations are tax deductible. All members are entitled to vote and hold office in the Society.

To join the Society, download and send the attached Membership Applicationpdf icon to SURRATT HOUSE MUSEUM, PO Box 427, Clinton MD 20735. Don’t hesitate to call for additional information: 301-868-1121.

Docents and Hosts/Hostesses

Croquet Game photo spacer Docents are costumed volunteers who give guided tours of the Surratt House Museum. Docents must be at least 18 years old and must acquire an authentic costume of the 1850-60s period (other docents and Society experts on 19th century clothing help with this task). Docents are trained in the art of giving tours, and in the history of the House and family, its furnishings and life in the Victorian era.

Hosts/Hostesses are volunteers who greet people at the Visitors’ center, sell tour tickets, manage gift shop sales, and provide information about the House and its history. Costumes are not required.

Volunteers are expected to serve at least once a month. Volunteers enjoy special appreciation functions, awards for hours worked, and a 15% discount at the gift shop. Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn more and to share your expertise. To volunteer, contact SURRATT HOUSE MUSEUM, PO Box 427, 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton MD 20735. The phone number is 301-868-1121.

Thomas S. Gwynn, Jr., Memorial History Award

The Thomas S. Gwynn, Jr., Memorial History Award is presented to a Prince George’s County Public School student who has achieved high academic standards in the study of history. The award was created to honor Mr. Gwynn., a lifelong resident of Prince George’s County, a teacher and administrator in the school system, and an assistant superintendent of schools for the county during the mid-1900s. Mr. Gwynn was also a founder of the Prince George’s Community College and the Chairman of The Committee for the Restoration of the Mary E. Surratt House, which saved the historic structure and worked with M-NCPPC to restore the facility as a historic house museum. The site opened to the public in 1976.

The recipient of the award is selected by the Social Studies Department of the Prince George’s County Public Schools from nominations submitted by teachers in the Public School System. The 2009 winners of this award are Ms. Dene’shia Tatiana Thompson of Friendly High School and Mr. Adam Walker-Starks of DuVal High School. Both students maintain high GPAs with excellent work in their history courses, and both are involved in high school and community service activities.

Congratulations to both winners!

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