Surratt House Museum | Prince Georges County

The Surratt House Museum is a historically significant site located at 9118 Brandywine Road in Clinton, Maryland. Constructed in 1852 by John and Mary Surratt, it was originally a middle-class farmhouse and tavern serving travelers in the area then known as Surrattsville. Over time, the house became intimately connected to one of the most infamous events in American history: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

Historical Context and Significance

The Surratt House was more than a family home; it operated as a tavern and inn, a central hub for the local community. John Surratt served as the first postmaster when a post office was established there in 1854. During the American Civil War, the house functioned as a Confederate safe house and a meeting point for conspirators involved in the plot to assassinate President Lincoln.

Mary Surratt, the matriarch of the family, was arrested and tried for conspiracy due to her alleged role in facilitating communications and hiding conspirators. She was the first woman ever executed by the U.S. federal government, hanged on July 7, 1865. The house thus stands as a powerful symbol of that turbulent period in American history and the personal stories entwined with the national tragedy.

Architecture and Features

The Surratt House is a two-story frame building built in a vernacular style typical of mid-19th-century rural Maryland. It retains much of its original structure and materials, including wood siding, fireplaces, and interior trim. The house is furnished with period-appropriate antiques and replicas to recreate the look and feel of the 1850s domestic environment.

Significant rooms include the public tavern area, family living quarters, and areas used by conspirators during the Lincoln assassination plot. The museum carefully preserves these spaces to provide visitors with an authentic sense of the building’s dual public and private functions during that era.

Museum Operations and Visitor Experience

The Surratt House Museum opened to the public on May 1, 1976, becoming Prince George’s County’s first public historic house museum. It is managed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and staffed with knowledgeable guides who provide detailed tours.

Visitors can expect half-hour guided tours that explore the history of the house, the Surratt family, and the broader historical context of the Civil War and Lincoln assassination. The tours often include stories about daily life, espionage activities, and legal proceedings that followed the assassination.

The museum also features interpretive exhibits and artifacts, such as letters, documents, and personal belongings associated with the Surratt family and their involvement in the conspiracy. There is an electric map display illustrating the escape route of John Wilkes Booth, adding an interactive component to the visit.

Visitor Amenities

Adjacent to the historic house is a Visitor Center and Gift Shop, opened in 1988, located on part of the original Surratt property but in a modern building. The center offers additional exhibits, a range of books on Civil War history and the Lincoln assassination, and unique memorabilia. The gift shop serves as a resource for educational materials and souvenirs.

Educational Programs and Community Engagement

The museum is active in educational outreach, offering specialized programs for schools and community groups focusing on 19th-century Maryland life, the Civil War, and the Lincoln assassination conspiracy. The Surratt Society, a nonprofit organization founded in 1975, supports these efforts by promoting research, preservation, and public education.

Volunteers are integral to the museum’s operation, assisting in tour delivery, event hosting, and the gift shop. Volunteers receive training and benefits including event invitations and educational opportunities.

Practical Information

The museum is open Thursday through Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with tours departing every 30 minutes and the last tour at 4:00 p.m. It is closed Monday through Wednesday. Admission fees are modest, with discounts for seniors, students, and free entry for very young children.

The museum is largely wheelchair accessible, with minor exceptions in some rooms due to the historic structure. Tours are offered in English, and Spanish tours can be arranged upon request.

Reservations are recommended for groups of eight or more to ensure availability, though walk-ins are welcome when space permits.

Surrounding Context and Nearby Attractions

Located in Prince George’s County, the Surratt House Museum is part of a rich historic landscape. Visitors often combine a trip to the museum with visits to other nearby Civil War and historic sites to deepen their understanding of the era and region.

Summary

The Surratt House Museum offers a detailed, immersive experience into a critical moment of American history through the lens of a local family’s story. It preserves the architecture, artifacts, and narratives that illuminate the events leading up to and following President Lincoln’s assassination. The museum functions as both a memorial and educational institution, making it a valuable destination for history enthusiasts, students, and the general public interested in 19th-century American life and the complexities of the Civil War era.