Museum
Explore exhibits on Lincoln’s presidency, Civil War milestones and the assassination conspiracy led by John Wilkes Booth. See artifacts related to the assassination.
Fords Theatre
Where Abraham Lincoln’s legacy lives.
The site of Lincoln’s assassination, Ford’s Theatre offers museum exhibits, live theatre and immersive learning.
Explore More
My Lord, What a Night
Now Streaming
Streaming to November 4, 2021
About The Show
A new drama based on the real-life friendship between contralto Marian Anderson and physicist Albert Einstein.
The Mountaintop
On Sale Now
January 21-February 13, 2022
2021-2022 Season
Updates
See plans for our in-person theatrical season.
Historic Site Visits
Museum and Theatre
Open Wednesday-Sunday; Advance Tickets Required
Historic Site Visit
Learn about Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and its lasting impact on our nation.
Theatre
Go inside the historic theatre and learn about the night of the assassination.
Petersen House: Closed
View a virtual exhibit exploring the history of the Petersen House. Or download a virtual reality experience with first-person accounts from those who witnessed Lincoln’s final hours.
Aftermath Exhibits: Closed
Virtually explore some of the artifacts related to Lincoln’s funeral train and the trial of the conspirators.
Uncover the History
Lincoln's Assassination
Explore These Topics
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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.
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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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After John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton and other investigators interviewed eyewitnesses. Find out what they learned and how deep the conspiracy went.
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Behind the Scenes
Take a glimpse behind the curtain of Ford’s Theatre
Fly Through Ford's Theatre
Video
Should Ford’s Display a Murder Weapon?
From The Blog
In 1931, the U.S. Army Adjutant General denied permission to display John Wilkes Booth’s deringer pistol at a new museum at Ford’s Theatre. Today the gun…
Lessons in Leadership and Resilience from Lincoln
Video
Then vs. Now: Exploring the Presidential Box
From The Blog
Lincoln’s Clothes
Artifact
What did Lincoln wear to Ford’s Theatre the night John Wilkes Booth murdered him? See his clothes, including the special message sewn inside his overcoat…
Expanded Programs
Distance Learning
Travel back in time to investigate the Lincoln assassination – via video-conference. Connect with our expert educators and scholars or a National Park Service Ranger to ask questions about Lincoln’s life and legacy. Live, interactive programs available by request.
