I’m doing a little happy dance today as this blog has just reached the 10,000th visitor mark. While it is a relatively low number compared to the popularity of several Lincoln sites (Roger Norton’s Abraham Lincoln Research Site is approaching 15 MILLION visitors!), I’m still proud that this site has garnered as much attention as it has in its short, six month existence. When I started, I was so excited when I got my first blog “follower” and when I started getting almost 20 views a day. Now I’m ecstatic to have 40 followers and averaging 75 views a day!
I’d like to thank you all for coming to this site, reading what I have written, and adding your wonderful comments. I feel so fortunate to have the support of so many fantastic websites, organizations, and people.
Well that seems like enough self-indulgence for one day. Thank all 10,000 of you for visiting BoothieBarn.com!
Continued good luck. Soon you’ll have thousands of readres. Nothing is impossible (exc. for “striking a match on a cake of soap.”– Stan Laurel.)
Thanks, Richard.
If our subject of history gains thousands of people though, the Colony South will be one packed hotel!
Congratulations, Dave! This is wonderful — and your findings and research are impeccable! I’m sure that you will have continued success — I second what Richard says!
Congratulations, Dave.
Thanks for the nice comment, Kathy.
Congratulations! I just joined so I’m looking forward to your continued success with the blog. Just so you know, I’m a volunteer at Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, and I will be happy to offer myself to help with whatever research etc. you might need from there.
Welcome aboard Steve. I was just at Ford’s on Sunday. I love visiting it. If I worked there, there are a couple artifacts I’d look into a bit further as I know that two artifacts (“Booth’s” knife and map) are misidentified and one other (his keys) probably is. One of these days, I’ll post my Surratt Courier article explaining my reasoning for the knife mistake. My research on the map and keys can be found on my post about Ford’s new center.
Thanks for reading and for volunteering your time at such an important place in history.
Best,
Dave Taylor
The next time you’re at Ford’s Theatre let me know, Sunday is my regular volunteer day. The new theatre season is about to begin so there won’t be as many Ranger Talks about the assasination due to the fact that the Theatre Co. uses the stage for rehersals and matinees.
I’ll be interested in learning about the artifacts you mentioned being mis-identified. I personally don’t like the new museam but that’s how it is. It’s too difficult to find the assasination section. Too many visitor’s miss it.
Steve,
You are not alone in not liking the new museum at Ford’s. I have mobility problems, so I have not yet visited it. However, I have heard lots of complaints from visitors at Surratt House about the whole new system down there from the timed tickets to the cluttered exhibits that seem to forget that Ford’s is a National Historic Site because of Lincoln’s assassination to not being allowed enough time to really see the exhibits (and also that printed text on labels is too small to see over someone’s shoulder – I’ve had people tell me the text doesn’t meet ADA guidelines, which is a minimum of 15 point font).
As for the live theater interruptions of scheduling and the closing for a week at a time for galas, etc., I have heard many complaints for years over that. People from out-of-state plan their visits months in advance and arrive at Ford’s only to find it closed. A year or so ago, we had a family from Oregon at Surratt House who had gotten shut out because the theater was preparing for the presidential gala. The father was literally fuming that he wasn’t getting to see the historical theater that his tax dollar was supporting while the big-wigs enjoyed themselves.
Thanks Laurie, I hear you! When the theater is closed I won’t volunteer, because when the it’s closed all I do is tell people “I’m sorry, the theater is closed.” Also when it’s closed there usually is no historical interpretation, then the visitor gets upset because all they might get to see is the museum and the Petersen House. Very rarely the theater closes for a day or two without any notice. Even with all the logistical problems take your chances and go because Ford’s Theatre is still a place everyone should visit to honor the man who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country, Abraham Lincoln.
I third what Mr. Sloan said!
From a retired teacher to a new teacher-Great Job-It really shows that-“you never stop learning”!
Thanks, Herb. The motto of my college was “And gladly would he learn, and gladly teach”. It’s from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and I’ve always enjoyed it.
Woot, Woot your horn, Dave, on a job well done. As a Lincoln-assassination nut for most of my long life, it’s wonderful for me to see several reputable websites now covering my favorite subject in depth and with very educational material.
Thank you, Laurie. I hope to continue providing new material that even you might not know.
Great Job Dave: However, we all knew you could do it. I hope I can speak for many of us in saying we really enjoy your intellectual companionship, and camraderie! It is people like you (and Rich, Laurie, Betty, Roger, etc, etc,etc) that make this so much fun.
Amen, Jim. There are so many who have helped and supported me that I’m grateful to each and every one of them.
Congratulations!
WOW!!! Impressive! Promise you’ll never stop?
Dave, it sounds to me like teaching school may be interfering with your passion. Too soon to consider applying for early retirement? Just kidding, of course, and keep up the awesome work. Kudos!!
Rich, I was looking at my old files, and the first time we “met” was in 2008, and we were discussing
Hutchinson’s Cemetery. I bet you have forgotten where that is!
I do remember Roger. The cemetery, now long gone was in Springfield. Abe bought a plot there and buried his first son. That marker is on display at the AL museum and Library. I was searching for the burial site and you assisted me in finding it. The first of many times you have helped me.
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