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.
History on Stage
One Destiny
June 7-July 1, 2017
Performance
Death of a Salesman
September 22-October 22, 2017
Visit
Historic Site
Open 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Special Event
Guided Tours
Select Sundays at 5:00 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.
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.
Virtual Tour
Go on a virtual tour of Ford’s Theatre.
Featured Artifact
Deringer
In one shot, a monumental impact on history.
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.
Student Visits
Reaching 235,000+ Annually
Your gift helps students experience Ford’s.
Teachers & Students
Student Matinees
Powerful Theatrical Experiences
Distance Learning
Investigation: Detective McDevitt
A Virtual Manhunt for John Wilkes Booth.
Classroom Activities
Oratory Resources
Find Strategies, Videos and Programs.
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
A 34ft Tribute: The Lincoln Book Tower
The Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership features a winding staircase and 34-foot tower of books about Abraham Lincoln, symbolizing that…
Video
Historic Site Visit Preview with Actor Stephen Schmidt
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
From The Blog
Why Lincoln Matters: As a Leader
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.
