Since our History on Foot tours began in 2008, more than 28,500 patrons have patrolled the streets of downtown D.C. as deputies with Detective James A. McDevitt as their guide. In September 2019, our tour celebrated 1,000 performances!

Don’t live in D.C.? Not a student? Never fear, Ford’s Theatre programming is accessible to those near and far! Learn about four of our virtual programs that bring history to life via an internet connection. 

The walking tour Investigation: Detective McDevitt visitors on an interactive journey through the crime that changed America: Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Hear from one of our guides, Matthew Dewberry, about portraying an 1865 detective on this unique tour of D.C.

Shortly after President Abraham Lincoln was carried to the Petersen boardinghouse on the night of April 14, 1865, rumors spread about a separate attack on Secretary of State William H. Seward. People began to bombard the Metropolitan Police Station with personal testimonies, spouting wild speculation as to the meaning. James McDevitt was on the case.

The Ford’s Theatre walking tour Investigation: Detective McDevitt, by Richard Hellesen, takes visitors on an interactive journey through the facts and faces of the crime that changed American history. Keeping with tradition, we recently interviewed our newest guide who portrays Detective McDevitt on the tour. 

On April 14 and 15, 2015, the streets of Washington, D.C., were filled with thousands of people paying tribute to Abraham Lincoln and his legacy. Learn all about our 36 hours of continuous programming on the Ford’s campus that marked the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination and death.

Honorable Mention for the highest award in educational interactive videoconferencing has been presented to Ford’s Theatre Society for its Investigation: Detective McDevitt distance-learning program!

James McDevitt is the name of a true-life 1860s detective who worked at the Metropolitan Police Department during the time of the Lincoln assassination and trial. We recently spoke with one of our guides, William Diggle, for a few behind-the-scenes insights about playing McDevitt on the streets of D.C.

Learn about our History on Foot walking tour, "Investigation: Detective McDevitt," from one of the actors who leads visitors through downtown D.C.