description Ford's Theatre Overview
Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., is the site of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. Originally constructed in 1863 by theatrical producer John T. Ford, the building was converted to government use after the assassination and served various functions before being restored as a working theater and museum in 1968. Now administered by the National Park Service as part of the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, it produces plays and offers exhibits related to Lincoln's presidency and the events of that night.
help Ford's Theatre FAQ
Where was Abraham Lincoln sitting inside Ford's Theatre?
Lincoln was watching Our American Cousin from a presidential box when John Wilkes Booth shot him on April 14, 1865. He was carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he died the following morning.
Can visitors see the box where Lincoln was assassinated?
The presidential box remains a central part of the historic theater, although visitors do not normally enter it. Museum interpretation explains Booth's route, the performance that night, and the events that followed the shooting.
Does Ford's Theatre still stage live plays?
Yes. Ford's functions as both a working theater and a National Historic Site, presenting plays and musicals alongside exhibitions about Lincoln's assassination. Access arrangements can differ between daytime museum visits and ticketed performances.
What is the connection between Ford's Theatre and the Petersen House?
The Petersen House stands across 10th Street from the theater and is where the mortally wounded Lincoln was taken after the shooting. Together, the two buildings preserve the principal locations associated with the events of April 14 and 15, 1865.
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