Spotlight: Washington DC - Ford's Theatre

Spotlight: Ford's Theatre was originally the site of the First Baptist Church of Washington, opened in 1834. In 1861, John T. Ford rented the building and turned it into a theater - Ford's Atheneum. When the Atheneum burned down in 1862, Ford rebuilt it on a grander scale and called it Ford's Theatre. John Wilkes Booth was one of many actors who performed at the Theatre, and Lincoln even watched him perform in The Marble Heart in 1963. On April 14, 1965, during a performance of Our American Cousin, Booth snuck into the President's box and shot him. From there, he leaped onto the stage, breaking his leg and yelling "Sic Semper Tyrannis!" From there he fled the scene and made his way to the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd to have his leg set. He hid out along the Maryland/Virginia border for 12 days until soldiers found and shot him in a standoff.

Theatre stage with Lincoln's box above right

     After he was shot, Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he died the following morning. The room has been restored to appear as it did the night Lincoln died.
     After the president's death, the theater closed down and was sold to the War Department, which eventually converted it into a three-story office building. In 1932, the first floor of the former theater was converted into a museum displaying artifacts and exhibit memorializing Lincoln's presidency.
     In 1965, renovations were made to restore Ford's Theatre to it's 1865 appearance a century before. In 1968, the non-profit Ford's Theatre Society launched the reintroduction of live performances at Ford's Theatre after a 103 year hiatus. In 1988, the National Parks Service modernized the museum to better meet the needs of a growing tourist base. In 2007, the Theatre was closed for major renovations to better serve the public as a working theater. It reopened on Feb. 11, 2009 - to celebrate Lincoln's 200th birthday.

Location: Ford's Theatre is located in downtown Washington DC at 511 10th St.

Cost: free (same day tickets); $3/ticket for reserved tickets; tickets for performances are variable

Time: The Historic Site is open daily typically from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. You should plan on spending about 2 hours visiting the various sites.

Description: Self-guided tours of the Ford Theatre National Historic Site usually includes access to the following: the museum, the Theatre, the Peterson House, and the Center for Education and Leadership.
     The Museum houses a collection of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits that teach visitors about Lincoln's presidency. Some of the interesting items on display include: Lincoln's clothing he wore the night he was assassinated, John Wilkes Booth's Deringer, various other items carried by the conspirators, Booth's diary, a poster for Our American Cousin - the play Lincoln attended that night, and various items used by the Lincolns while in the White House - including their china.

medical instruments used to set Booth's leg

     The Theatre is open for tourists during the morning and early afternoon hours. Here you can attend a Ranger Talk or the play One Destiny - featuring costumed actors who portray two historical figures in attendance the night of the assassination. In the evening, the Theatre hosts a variety of performances and events.

     The Petersen Boarding House was constructed by William Petersen, a German tailor who made a small fortune during the war making high quality suits for officers during the Civil War. In 1896, Lincoln enthusiast Osborn Oldroyd moved into the home to display his large collection of Lincoln memorabilia. This collection was purchased by the government and moved to the Theatre Museum after Oldroyd's death in 1930. In 1933, the National Parks Service acquired the house and have maintained it as an historic house museum.

Petersen House parlor

Bed where Lincoln died

     Next door to the Petersen House is the Center for Education and Leadership. This center explores the aftermath of the assassination and Lincoln's legacy. Visitors can follow the route of the funeral train from DC to Springfield, Illinois and learn about the hunt for Booth and his fellow conspirators. They can learn about Lincoln's legacy and how it helped inspire the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's. Perhaps the most impressive display is the 34-foot tower of books - all unique, but each one written about Abraham Lincoln.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Ford's Theatre is a working theater today. For a list of upcoming performances and events, check their calendar.
-   A limited number of free same-day tickets are available at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office beginning at 8:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. However, during the tourist season, these are often gone by 9:00 am. Therefore, you may want to reserve tickets ahead of time. 
- Click here for directions and information on parking.

Nearby: Landmark Theater, International Spy Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Madame Tussauds