EVENTS INCLUDE TARGET ORATORY FESTIVAL WITH STUDENTS,

TALES OF THE LINCOLN WITH STORYTELLER JON SPELMAN,

THE LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE PLAY THE RIVALRY, AND A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WREATH LAYING CEREMONY

Washington, D.C.— Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service celebrates Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with special February programming. On February 12 at 8:45 a.m., National Park Service Park Rangers will commemorate President Lincoln’s birthday with a Wreath-laying Ceremony on the historic steps of Ford’s Theatre. On February 13, 15 and 20 visitors are invited to explore the many legends surrounding Abraham Lincoln’s life in Tales of the Lincoln with storyteller Jon Spelman. On Friday morning, February 19, Washington-area young people present a selection of Lincoln’s greatest speeches as part of the Target Oratory Festival. Visitors also may tour the recently renovated Ford’s Theatre Museum, experience an interpretive Park Ranger program about the events that led up to and include the assassination of President Lincoln in the theatre. Visitors may also visit the Petersen House (the House Where Lincoln Died), dependent upon schedule. Through February 14, visitors may attend a performance of The Rivalry, which explores the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates. To further enhance the visitor experience, Park Rangers and Volunteers will be dressed in Civil War-era period clothing, throughout the month of February.

Ford’s Theatre also will hold a one-day sale for 20% off tickets to performances of Little Shop of Horrors (March 12-May 22), and half-off tickets to its popular History on Foot walking tour A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckly (tours begin Saturday, April 3). Tickets must be purchased in person at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office on Monday, February 15. Little Shop discount does not apply to seats in the dress circle. Offer not valid on previously purchased tickets. For more information on Little Shop of Horrors or History on Foot walking tours, visit fords.org.

The original overcoat worn by Abraham Lincoln the night he was assassinated will be reinstalled in its Ford’s Theatre display case on February 12. The coat recently underwent conservation by a textile conservator. The coat will be displayed through the end of June.

Tickets to the Target Oratory Festival

Tickets are free and required for all visitors ages two and older. Tickets to the Target Oratory Festival will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m. on February 19, at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office.

Tickets to Tales of the Lincoln

Tickets are free and required for all visitors ages two and older. Tickets for Tales of the Lincoln may be reserved in advance in person at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office or via Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or ticketmaster.com. There is a $1.50 convenience fee for reserving Tales of the Lincoln in advance. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster will also be subject to Ticketmaster fees. The Ford’s Theatre convenience fee will be waived for the program taking place on President’s Day, February 15.

Tickets to The Rivalry

Tickets to The Rivalry range from $10 to $53. They may be purchased in person at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office or via Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or ticketmaster.com. This production is appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Tickets to Ranger Programs

Tickets are free and required for all visitors ages two and older. A visit to the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site may include visiting the redesigned museum, experiencing an interpretive Park Ranger program, and visiting the Petersen House (the House Where Lincoln Died). The Ford’s Theatre Box Office opens at 8:30 a.m. for distribution of same-day tickets. Advance reservations may be made via Ticketmaster (202) 397-SEAT or at Ticketmaster.com. The Ford’s Theatre convenience fee will be waived for Programming on President’s Day, February 15. Ticketmaster fees still apply.

FEBRUARY 5, 12 and 19, 2010

8:30 a.m. Box Office opens
8:45 a.m. (Friday, February 12)

Visitors are encouraged to join National Park Service Park Rangers in commemorating President Lincoln’s birthday with a wreath-laying ceremony on the historic steps of Ford’s Theatre.

9 a.m. Museum opens to the public.

Target Oratory Festival (February 19)

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., students from Washington-area schools will recite some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches including his first and second inaugural addresses, his House Divided speech and the Gettysburg Address. This event is sponsored with support from Target. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.
Petersen House opens.

10 a.m. Museum entry.

10:30 a.m. Target Oratory Festival (February 19)

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., students from Washington-area schools will recite some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches including his first and second inaugural addresses, his House Divided speech and the Gettysburg Address. This event is sponsored with support from Target. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

11:30 a.m. Museum entry.

Noon Target Oratory Festival (February 19)

Beginning at Noon, students from Washington-area schools will recite some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches including his first and second inaugural addresses, his House Divided speech and the Gettysburg Address. This event is sponsored with support from Target. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

1 p.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for a Ranger Program.

1:30 p.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

2 p.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for a Ranger Program.

2:30 p.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

3 p.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for a Ranger Program.

3:30 p.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

4 p.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre.

4:30 p.m. Theatre walk through. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

5 p.m. Theatre and Museum closed.

5:30 p.m. Petersen House closed.

7 p.m. Theatre reopens for The Rivalry.

7:30 p.m. The Rivalry

Over the course of seven debates, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas tackled the hot topics of their day: state’s rights, slavery and the intent of the Constitution. The Rivalry captures the fiery rhetoric and wry humor of those debates.

FEBRUARY 13, 2010

8:30 a.m. Box Office opens for ticket distribution

9 a.m. Museum opens to the public. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Ranger Program.

9:30 a.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

Petersen House opens.

10 a.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Tales of the Lincoln.

10:30 a.m. Tales of the Lincoln

Storytellers from around the world have been captivated by Abraham Lincoln and the legends surrounding his life. Performer and writer Jon Spelman explores these many and varied tales in his one-man show. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum. This performance runs approximately 40 minutes and is appropriate for children ages 8 and up.

11:30 a.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for walk through.

Noon Theatre and Museum closed for matinee of The Rivalry.

2 p.m. Theatre reopens for The Rivalry.

2:30 p.m. The Rivalry

Over the course of seven debates, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas tackled the hot topics of their day: state’s rights, slavery and the intent of the Constitution. The Rivalry captures the fiery rhetoric and wry humor of those debates.

5:30 p.m. Petersen House closed.

7 p.m. Theatre reopens for The Rivalry.

7:30 p.m. The Rivalry

Over the course of seven debates, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas tackled the hot topics of their day: state’s rights, slavery and the intent of the Constitution. The Rivalry captures the fiery rhetoric and wry humor of those debates.

PRESIDENT’S DAY: FEBRUARY 15, 2010

8:30 a.m. Box Office opens for ticket distribution

9 a.m. Museum opens to the public. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for a Ranger Program.

9:30 a.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum

10 a.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Tales of the Lincoln.

10:30 a.m. Tales of the Lincoln

Storytellers from around the world have been captivated by Abraham Lincoln and the legends surrounding his life. Performer and writer Jon Spellman explores these many and varied tales in his one-man show. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

11:30 a.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for a Ranger Program.

Noon Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

1 p.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for a Ranger Program.

1:30 p.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

2 p.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for a Ranger Program.

2:30 p.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

3 p.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for a Ranger Program.

3:30 p.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

4 p.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre.

4:30 p.m. Theatre walk through. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

5 p.m. Theatre and Museum closed.

5:30 p.m. Petersen House closed

FEBRUARY 20, 2010

8:30 a.m. Box Office opens for ticket distribution

9 a.m. Museum opens to the public. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Ranger Program.

9:30 a.m. Ranger Program

National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

Petersen House opens.

10 a.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Tales of the Lincoln.

10:30 a.m. Tales of the Lincoln

Storytellers from around the world have been captivated by Abraham Lincoln and the legends surrounding his life. Performer and writer Jon Spelman explores these many and varied tales in his one-man show. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum. This performance runs approximately 40 minutes and is appropriate for children ages 8 and up.

11:30 a.m. Museum entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for walk through.

Noon Theatre and Museum close for matinee.

5:30 p.m. Petersen House closed.

National Park Service and the Ford’s Theatre Society Partnership

Since reopening in 1968, more than a hundred years after President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, Ford’s Theatre has celebrated Lincoln’s legacy and explored the American experience through theatre and education with a partnership between the National Park Service and the Ford’s Theatre Society. Under the leadership of Director Paul R. Tetreault, Ford’s Theatre has been recognized for the superior quality of its artistic programming. From the nationally acclaimed Big River to the world premiere of The Heavens Are Hung In Black, Ford’s Theatre has begun to make its mark on American theatre. For its accomplishment, the organization was honored in 2008 with the National Medal of Arts. For more information, visit www.fords.org.