Historic Site Visit Guidelines
Due to rising regional and national cases related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, Nov. 23.
Site Status: As of November 23, 2020, the Museum, Theatre, Petersen House and Aftermath Exhibits are closed.
Advance tickets are required. We charge a $3 fee to reserve tickets in advance. All patrons regardless of age must have a ticket. Patrons are limited to 6 tickets/order during our level one reopening. No large groups are allowed.
Masks: Visitors age 3+ must wear a mask.
If you are sick: Visitors must undergo a wellness check before entering the site. This will include a no-contact temperature check. Stay home if you are ill or have knowingly been in the vicinity of someone diagnosed with or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. You can reschedule your ticket for another day by emailing boxoffice@fords.org or call (888) 616-0270.
Arrival Time: Entry lines for ticket holders begin outside. We suggest arriving no more than 10 minutes in advance.
Social-Distancing: Visitors must maintain 6 feet of distance from other parties. Visitors must follow the designated one-way path through the site.
Audio-Guides: Acoustiguide audio tours are not currently available.
Dress for the weather: Our entry lines begin outdoors year-round, so be sure to check the weather before you arrive.
Travel light: We do not have a coat check. For safety reasons, we do not permit luggage and oversized bags on site, nor do we offer storage locations.
Food and Drink: Ford’s Theatre permits only bottled water to be carried and consumed in our museum, theatre and exhibit spaces. All other food, drink and gum must be disposed of before entry.
Restrooms: Restrooms are available to ticketed visitors in both the theatre lobby and the museum. Occupancy limits will be in place as well as increased cleaning measures.
Strollers: Strollers have access to the museum and theatre.
Visitors in Costume: Ford’s Theatre does not permit third-party representation of historic figures in period clothing on site.
Weapons of any type are banned from the premises. The following items are also NOT PERMITTED at Ford’s Theatre.
- tripods
- monopods
- guns
- weapons
- toy weapons
- laser pointers
- knives
- pen knives
- pets
- food and drinks (bottled water is allowed)
- scissors
- aerosol cans, including pepper spray and Mace
- tools
- smoking
- placards, signs, or banners