May 1, 2020 the site of the april 14, 1865, assassination of president abraham lincoln, ford s theatre is a working theatre, historical monument, worldclass museum and learning center. Get started here to help you plan your visit to fords theatre. You havent seen all of dc until youve stepped through our doors, though we certainly recommend seeing the highlights of the nations capital during your stay. Every year, more than 800,000 people visit fords theatre. Fords theater tickets washington dc event tickets center.
After being shot, the fatally wounded 56year old lincoln was carried across the street to the petersen house, where he died the next morning the theatre was later used as a. Fords theatre washington dc all you need to know before. Tickets for april may 2020 go on sale october 8, 2019, at 2 p. Even though the building has a lot of history, it still puts on many shows. Fords theater in washington, dc vacations made easy. Learn why the washington dc metro is a fun way to travel the city.
Fords theatre fords theater site of the assassination of u. Fords theatre where abraham lincoln was assassinated by john wilkes booth in 1865 10th st. The theater was closed down after that fateful night, but was restored and reopened over a century later in. Explore fords theatre nhs, discover abraham lincolns life in washington, d. While at our historic site, you will learn about the events of april 14, 1865, and the lasting impact of lincolns assassination on our nation. Mar 02, 2020 explore fords theatre nhs, discover abraham lincolns life in washington, d. Exploring fords theatre the place where abraham lincoln. The national park service and the fords theatre society present a variety of programs year round. My daughters are both very interested in abraham lincoln, and as a family, we have visited several noteworthy spots where they learned a lot about his story. Fords theatre 511 10th st nw washington, dc theatres live. Group sales office hours are mondayfriday from 11 a. Tickets for juneaugust 2020 go on sale monday, march 16, 2020, at 2 p. Unfortunately, when the museum is crowded, as it often is, it can be hard to get close enough to and have enough time at each of the exhibits to properly absorb the.
Fords theatre has been renovated to a working theater once again, and you might be lucky enough to catch a show while youre here on your washington dc bus tour. Fords theatre national historic site in washington, d. Today, fords theatre still hosts productions as well as a small museum dedicated to lincoln. Each section of the book explains some of the history behind some major washington dc museums and washington dc museums as well as listing some fun and interesting washington dc facts. Fords theater tour, tickets and museum free tours by foot. Fords theatre and the white house white house historical. My daughters are both very interested in abraham lincoln, and as a family, we have visited several noteworthy spots where they. This book comes with a history lesson about historic events at fords theatre as mac smith finds himself back in the courtroom representing the son of the theater s director, who has been nominated to head the national endowment for the arts nea.
I had never before visited fords theater, and i was pleasantly surprised. A model of john wilkes booth sits within the burning tobacco barn exhibit as part of the aftermath exhibits at the fords theatre center for education and leadership. President lincolns assassination in 1865, however, proved a bit of a show stopper, causing fords theater to close its doors and keep them closed for over. Fords theatre 511 tenth st, nw washington, dc 20004 202. The venue was constructed in 1863, and is best known for being the site at which abraham lincoln was assassinated. Fords theatre is the premier destination in washington, dc to explore and celebrate the life and legacy of abraham lincoln. There is so much more to the historic site where president lincoln was shot than meets the eye. Tourist information for visitors to fords theatre in washington dc. I always thought fords theatre in washington, dc was just a theatrethe type where plays were held. Overall, it was interesting but maybe a 20 minute experience in total. Would this small theater have become as renowned if it wasnt for the fateful decision of. Fords theatre washington dc 2020 all you need to know. In 1861, john thomson ford a theatre manager from baltimore, maryland opened a theatre in a 1833 building, originally home to the first baptist church of washington, d.
After visiting the museum, you can continue the story in our aftermath exhibits to learn about the fate of the conspirators and how the nation mourned lincoln s death. After being shot, the fatally wounded 56year old president was carried across the street to the petersen house, where he died the next morning. The site of lincolns assassination in april 1865, fords theatre offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in americas past while revealing meaningful connections to today. We appreciate your support and understanding during this time. Exploring the history of fords theatre, part 1 fords theatre. Fords theatre is a washington dc national landmark, commemorating the life and death of abraham lincoln. Fords theatre today serves as a historic site, a museum, a live theater and an education center. Its also home to a fascinating museum, with plenty of items related to the assassination, including the very derringer pistol that killed lincoln. Remember history at fords theatre midatlantic traveler. The fords theatre museum in washington, dc tells the story of abraham lincolns presidency through a variety of interactive exhibits that explore lincolns life in the white house, milestones of the civil war and details about the assassination conspiracy that led to his death. By 1865, washingtons theater district consisted of at least twelve halls and. The museum features artifacts related to the assassination, including the weapons booth used. January 1, 1990 from the heart of our nations capital, hard rock cafe is doing our patriotic duty by offering fresh, delicious american cuisine against a backdrop of one of our countrys greatest collections of music memorabilia.
Our tour started in the basement of the theater where they have a small museum. Lincoln assassination walking tour free tours by foot. Unfortunately, when the museum is crowded, as it often is, it can be hard to get close enough to and have enough. In fact, it hosts more than 650,000 visitors each year. The site of lincolns assassination in april 1865, fords theatre offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in americas past while revealing meaningful. Facts are sorted by community importance and you can build your personalized lexicon. Dec 05, 2018 fords theatre is located in washington dc. Clear and concise pictorial history of fords theater, washington, d. It is famous for being the site of the assassination of united states president abraham lincoln on april 14, 1865. Hard rock cafe washington dc live music and dining near.
First opened to the public in 1968, fords theatre national historic site protects the theatre and petersen house, houses a museum about the assassination, and is a working theater. Advance reservations available for a small fee are recommended during tourist season. Jul 16, 2019 i always thought fords theatre in washington, dc was just a theatrethe type where plays were held. Find our embassy of rock n roll conveniently located next to fords theater, across from the fbi building. Fords theatre national historic site is a unit of national mall and memorial parks and operates in partnership with the fords theatre society. The museum, redesigned and reopened july 15, 2009, uses historic artifacts, environmental recreations, videos, and sculptural figures to tell. Online orders will not be filled until the fords theatre online store reopens. Sameday tickets are available at the theater box office beginning at 8. After being closed for 103 years, fords theater was restored and reopened in 1968. Metro center blue, silver, orange, red back to top. A national historic site, fords theatre is most known as the location where president abraham lincoln was assassinated in 1865. It is famous for being the site of the assassination of united states. Fords theatre in downtown washington, dc, is best known as the scene of pres.
May 03, 2020 fords theatre is located in washington, d. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a. The segment describing the assassination is interesting and did provide some notable facts this reader was not aware of, however for a detailed. Its one of washington dcs most significant attractions, with a focus on history from the 1800s. Tetreault today announced the upcoming 20192020 theatrical season will include august wilsons fences, directed.
Fords theatre celebrates the legacy of president abraham lincoln and explores the american experience through theatre and education. Visit our park news page for more information on the latest happenings at fords theatre national historic site. Canden is a historian and tour guide in washington dc with 3 published books about the city. Welcome to the official facebook page for fords theatre national historic site. Online orders will not be filled until the ford s theatre online store reopens. There are various tickets available for purchase that offer admission to different parts of the experience. After being shot, the fatally wounded 56year old lincoln was carried across the street to the petersen house, where he died the next morning the theatre was later used as a warehouse and office. Most people recognize this site as the location where president abraham lincoln was assassinated by john wilkes booth in 1865. Due to the coronavirus public health emergency, the ford s theatre online store will be closed to the public until further notice. Drive by and stop at some of the citys top memorials and attractions, including the vietnam veterans memorial, the marine corps war memorial, and the lincoln memorial, which are usually less crowded after dark. Visits to fords theatre national historic site require a free, timedentry ticket. Covers the 1839 to 1859 construction of the building and its use as a church, the buildings use as a theater from 1861 to 1865 reveals the social and entertainment life of dc during the war.
Feb 10, 2016 10 interesting facts about fords theatre fords theatre is located in downtown washington, d. Explore the rich history of fords theater, one of americas most wellknown performance arts venues in washington dc. After it was destroyed by fire the next year, ford built a new theatre in 1863, known as fords theatre. Fords theatre washington tickets, schedule, seating. A limited number of free dayof tickets are available on a firstcome, firstserved basis at the box office beginning at 8. The white house, capitol hill, smithsonian museums, and metro. Attracting nearly one million visitors each year, fords theatre houses a live theatre, museum and the center for education and leadership. See washington dc lit up at night on this guided bus tour. Fords theatre museum tickets and tours plus peterson house. A formerly abandoned baptist church, the theater opened in 1861 and became a popular venue for musicals and dramatic performances. In fact, the first baptist church of washington was built here in 1833, under the leadership of. Meet at the andrew jackson statue in lafayette square north front of the white house.
Wifi is free, and this hotel also features 2 bars and a restaurant. Get started here to help you plan your visit to fords theatre and petersen house. She has written for huffpost travel and has been featured in the washington post. Fords theatre washington dc attractions big bus tours.
Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. A working theatre, historical monument, worldclass museum and learning center. If there are any closures to the park and the public is unable to reach the andrew jackson statue in the center of the park, the guide will regroupmeet at st. Fords theatre, washington dc pictures by travel photo base. Fords theatre is a theater located in washington, d. Serving as a tribute to abraham lincoln and his love of the performing arts, the theater is a live, working theater that plays host to a variety of plays by some of the countrys most talented playwrights, actors and artists. Today it is an active theater with an onsite museum the theatre building in 1861, john thomson ford a theatre manager from baltimore, maryland opened a theatre in a 1833 building, originally home to the first baptist church of washington, d. The fords theatre museum, on the lower level of the theater, displays artifacts that tell the story of lincolns presidency, his assassination, and what life was like in washington and in the united states during that time.
While fords theater is a performance space, it is perhaps best known as the location of the assassination of president abraham lincoln in 1865. Due to the coronavirus public health emergency, the fords theatre online store will be closed to the public until further notice. A working theatre, historical monument, worldclass museum and learning center, fords theatre is the premier destination in washington, dc to explore and celebrate the life and legacy of abraham lincoln. Fords theatre national historic site home facebook.
Meticulously researched and lucidly written, images of america. Ford 18291894 failed in his first attempt at running a theatre in washington, d. Street scene of 1865 washington within the new exhibits at the fords theatre center for education and leadership. During the civil war, fords theatre was one of washington s top entertainment venues, giving washingtonians a muchneeded break from the realities of war. Visit fords theatre on your trip to washington dc or. Fords theater in washington, district of columbia kid. Twelve angry men plays through february 17, 2019, at fords theatre 511 10th street, nw, washington, dc. Keep an eye out for our arcadia book on fords theatre. Full of events and personalities other that april 14, 1865 and lincoln. Find fords theatre venue concert and event schedules, venue information, directions, and seating charts. Our morning started with a 10 am visit to fords theater. Private airport transfer from dulles airport to downtown washington dc hotel by luxury sedan. Fords theatre washington dc wo abraham lincolns vermachtnis weiterlebt. The histories of the white house and of fords theatre are obviously linked by their association.
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