Walking Tour
Investigation: Detective McDevitt
March-October
About The Show
Join Detective James McDevitt on a walking tour as he investigates the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy and the events of April 14 and 15, 1865.
Where Abraham Lincoln’s legacy lives.
The site of Lincoln’s assassination, Ford’s Theatre offers museum exhibits, live theatre and immersive learning.
Special Event
Under 35: Museum Night
August 3, 2017
Special Event
Guided Tours
Select Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
Performance
Death of a Salesman
September 22-October 22, 2017
Visit
Historic Site
Open 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Discover
Investigate the Assassination
Uncover clues from the night of April 14, 1865.
Begin your own investigation into the night of the assassination. Follow the events of April 14, 1865, and find out how Booth was able to sneak into the Presidential Box and assassinate President Lincoln.
Featured Artifact
Deringer
In one shot, a monumental impact on history.
Primary Sources
Remembering Lincoln
Personal responses to the assassination.
Investigating History
Ford’s Theatre: 1865 to Today
A site of tragedy becomes a living memorial.
Investigating History
Lincoln’s Funeral
Follow the train from Washington to Springfield.
Oratory in Your Classroom
Lincoln Online Oratory Project
Learn More
As part of this distance learning project, students will use the words of President Lincoln to learn the historical context of a speech, the power of oratory and the fundamentals of performance and public speaking. At the end of this project, classrooms are invited to create a video of the speech they learned to showcase their performance skills.
Virtual Field Trips
Make an Impact
Connecting to classrooms across the country. Make a gift today.
Distance Learning
Investigation: Detective McDevitt
A Virtual Manhunt for John Wilkes Booth.
Teachers & Students
Student Matinees
Powerful Theatrical Experiences
Student Visits
Reaching 235,000+ Annually
Your gift helps students experience Ford’s.
Historic Site Visit
Visit the site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and learn about its lasting impact on our nation.
Museum
See exhibits that follow Lincoln from the start of his presidency to the moment he arrived at Ford’s Theatre the fateful night of April 14, 1865. See rare artifacts related to the assassination.
Theatre
Come inside where history happened. Learn all about the night of the assassination from our National Park Service Ranger talks, or a short play based on the people in the theatre that fateful night.
Petersen House
Step inside the house where Lincoln died and learn about the people who surrounded the President in his final hours.
Aftermath Exhibits
See exhibits exploring the assassination aftermath, the hunt for John Wilkes Booth and the lasting impact of Lincoln’s legacy.
Uncover the History
Lincoln's Assassination
Explore These Topics
President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865. Learn how and why it happened, and see the event’s lasting impact on our nation.
Today many people consider Abraham Lincoln one of the United States’s greatest presidents. Why would John Wilkes Booth want to murder him?
As Lincoln lay dying in a back bedroom of a small Washington boarding house, the home became the hub of the U.S. government. What happened in the Petersen House the night of April 14, 1865?
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Behind the Scenes
Take a glimpse behind the curtain of Ford’s Theatre
From The Blog
Top 5 Things D.C. Teachers can Do at Ford’s Theatre This Year!
Ford’s Theatre wants to be a part of your classroom in 2016-2017. Learn how to enhance your visit and how Ford's can come virtually to you!
Video
Historic Site Visit Preview with Actor Stephen Schmidt
From The Blog
Why Lincoln Matters: As a Leader
Artifact
Deringer
John Wilkes Booth killed Lincoln with this small, single-shot pistol. Why would Booth use a weapon with only one bullet?
From The Blog
Don’t Shoot!: The Journey of Booth’s Deringer Pistol
Educational Program
Lincoln Online Oratory Project
As part of this distance learning project, students will use the words of President Lincoln to learn the historical context of a speech, the power of oratory and the fundamentals of performance and public speaking. At the end of this project, classrooms are invited to create a video of the speech they learned to showcase their performance skills.
