Seward House Executive Director Peter Wisbey would welcome Sarah Vowell even if she didn't include him in her book “Assassination Vacation.”

Vowell's book about her road trip to tourist sites devoted to the killings of presidents Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield and William McKinley. Other hotspots along the tour include a stop to see the fragment of bed sheets complete with knife marks and dried blood, at the Seward House.

Her book gave the historic museum a boost of support after it came out in 2005.

Wisbey knows bringing her here as a speaker will do even better.

Vowell will speak on Wednesday at East Middle School as the first speaker of a series the Seward House is sponsoring. The organization often brings local speakers or historians for brown bag lectures and other lectures.

A gift from a museum supporter allows Wisbey to vamp it up and bring nationally recognized historians, artists, writers, and social commentators to the area as a fundraiser for the museum.

“We're just sort of kicking off the program. We're working out all of the details and as we go forward with the program,” Wisbey said.

Some writers who have come in the past usually speak in gratitude for the help they've received while researching, but Vowell will be the first to specifically host a fundraiser for the historical site.

Vowell's talk will be more of a benefit for the museum. Organizers are not sure if they will have speakers who relate to Seward, but they want “high caliber” talent who can spark thoughtful discourse and discussion, Wisbey said.

Another benefit is to increase awareness of the Seward House among nationally recognized cultural historians and social commentators.

As Seward House employees started to look for potential inaugural speakers, they thought back to Vowell, who knows a lot of Seward's history as well as has visited the house as she researched her book.

The house is partnering with the WRVO stations, based in Oswego, since Vowell has a strong tie to National Public Radio. They will look to cosponsor with other related businesses or agencies as other speakers come up.

“It's so interesting to see how she weaves all these stories together,” Wisbey said.

The book touches on the relationship of Lincoln and William Seward, as well as other factors central New York has played in the other stories, such as Garfield's shooter spending time with an Oneida religious sect.

Wisbey admits he didn't know Vowell when she approached the House in 2003, but has since become a “This American Life” junkie, as he puts it. The book took them by surprise when it came out.

Vowell is a contributing editor for public radio's “This American Life,” author of four best-selling books, and voice of superhero Violet in “The Incredibles.” Her essays, interviews and criticisms have been published in Time, Esquire, GQ, Spin, the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times. She also has made appearances on television talk shows.

As word has gotten around about her upcoming presentation in Auburn, the museum has received some excited calls from people asking about tickets.

“Well, there's definitely a buzz going on about her,” Wisbey said. “She has a strong following with college students and with public radio listeners.”

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net

If you go

What: Sarah Vowell

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24

Where: East Middle School auditorium, 191 Franklin St., Auburn

Tickets: $15 for general admission, $12 for students or Seward House members; tickets are available at the Seward House, 33 South St., and Nash's Art Supply, 12 State St.

For details: Call 252-1283