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J. Harvie Wilkinson, Jr. Lecture - Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 5:30PM
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Date
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 5:30PM
Name
J. Harvie Wilkinson, Jr. Lecture - Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America
,Description
By the late summer of 1864, the outcome of the Civil War was far from certain. Virginia had turned into a vast killing field, a peace movement was on the rise in the North, and even Lincoln himself was convinced that he would not be reelected. But necessity is the mother of invention, and the Confederate high command would launch an unprecedented attempt to reverse their declining success on the battlefield, one that would ultimately involve John Wilkes Booth. Based on extensive contemporary accounts and long-ignored scholarship, Midnight on the Potomac brings a fresh perspective to the last, fraught months of the nation’s costliest war.
About the Author: Scott Ellsworth is an award-winning writer and historian. He is the author of five books, the last of which, The Ground Breaking, was long-listed for both the National Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. Scott has also written about American life and history for The New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. Formerly a historian at the Smithsonian Institution, he has taught at the University of Michigan since 2007. His newest book, Midnight on the Potomac, about the last year of the Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, was published in July.
Ticket Info:
- 1831 & Weddell Society Members* – Complimentary
- Patron Members – $22 (50% off)
- VMHC Members – $33 (25% off)
- Non-Members – $44
* Donors whose annual gifts total $1,000 or more are recognized as members of the 1831 Society. Donors who have included VMHC in their estate plans are recognized as members of the Weddell Society. Weddell Society members must call 804.342.9678 or email Giving@VirginiaHistory to reserve tickets.
Program Notes:
- Tickets are required for in-person admission. Please note: this lecture will not be livestreamed.
- Admission to this lecture is discounted for members. Members, please login above to reserve your tickets. If you are not currently a member and would like to join, please click here.
- In-person attendees are invited to meet the speaker immediately following the lecture.
- Signed copies of the book will be available at ShopVirginiaHistory.org.
This lecture is part of VMHC's 250th commemoration
The content and opinions expressed in this presentation are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
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