The Ferryville Tourism Council is sponsoring an evening of family fun on Wednesday, July 1, near the south pavilion at Ferryville’s Sugar Creek Park. This park is located right along Highway 35.  We will host a bonfire and an evening of storytelling around the fire from 8-9:30 p.m.

The guest storyteller will be Civil War historian and author, Bob O’Connor of Charles Town, West Virginia.  Bob is the older brother of Ferryville resident, Joanne White, and he will be visiting Ferryville during that week. He is the author of 10 published books including six novels and four non-fiction works.  He has been a finalist four times for the National Book Awards competition. Bob will have his paperback books for sale before the program begins.  He is also an artist in residence for schools and public libraries in West Virginia so his stories will be for the whole family.

His presentation around the bonfire will be a first person historical impersonation of Ward Hill Lamon, Abraham Lincoln’s bodyguard. This year is the 150th anniversary of the assassination of Lincoln, and if you have been wondering why his bodyguard was not at Ford’s Theater to protect him, this talk will answer your questions. Lamon moved to Danville, Illinois at the age of 18, and became Lincoln’s law partner for the years 1852 through 1856. He was one of three men who accompanied Lincoln to Washington DC.  O’Connor will tell tales of Lamon’s friendship with Lincoln and most importantly, why he was not with Lincoln when the president needed him the most. 

The program will last approximately 45 minutes and there will be time for questions and answers.

The Tourism Council will provide s’mores for everyone. Please bring a lawn chair, insect repellant, and the whole family for this great event! For questions or more information, ‘like’ us on Facebook:  facebook.com/ferryvillewi or call Joanne White 608-634-9018.