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Civil War DC: Spies, Murder Bay, and Lincoln's Last Days

Civil War DC: Spies, Murder Bay, and Lincoln's Last Days

Overview

Come along and see how the city of Washington, DC changed dramatically during the Civil War as residents shifted their peacetime daily lives to those of wartime while Abraham Lincoln built a command center in and around the White House neighborhood. On this journey, you will explore this command center, learn how Union and Confederate Spies tried to one up each other on a daily basis, discover the numerous threats to Abraham Lincoln, and walk the streets of Murder Bay, home to more than 100 brothels, many infamously associated with a Civil War general. You will also discover how women served the war effort in the roles of nurse, spy, hostess, camp follower, seamstress to Mary Todd Lincoln, and even surgeon. This is the ultimate tour for Civil War buffs to learn about daily life in Washington, DC during the war.

City: Washington DC

Tue 17 Sep

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

Tue 17 Sep

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Professional Tour Guide

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Equestrian Statue Of Andrew Jackson

The starting point of the tour is the Andrew Jackson statue in the center of the park. The tour will begin with a discussion of Confederate and Union spy activity in and around Lafayette Square followed by an introduction to the Lincoln Assassination with a discussion of the attempted assassination of Secretary of State William Seward. This section of the tour will end at the Dolley Madison House and see who was living there during the Civil War.

St. John's Church

See the church where President Lincoln often attended evening prayers.

Decatur House

Learn about the Army Subsistence Department, which was responsible for provisioning the Union army's ration packs.

White House

Learn about Abraham Lincoln's command center during the Civil War.

Blair House

After visiting the Rathbone House around the corner, learn about the Blair House and it's connection to Robert E. Lee.

The Ellipse

Having just visited the Winder House, guests will view the south side of the White House and the Ellipse, the site of many activities during the Civil War.

Old Post Office Pavilion

Here, guests will learn about the infamous Murder Bay and the thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes it attracted. The stable where John Wilkes Booth rented a horse on the day he assassinated President Lincoln was located here.

Waldorf Astoria Spa Washington DC

Near here was the site of the planned assassination of Vice President Andrew Johnson on 14 April 1865.

Ford's Theatre

Learn about the night of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the massive 12-day manhunt that followed.

Petersen Boarding House

The Petersen Boarding House was not only the site where President Lincoln spent his last hours but also the command center from which Secretary of War Edwin Stanton ran the early hours of the hunt for John Wilkes Booth.

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Cancellation Policy