Ford’s Theatre
Located at 511 10th St NW, Washington, DC, 20004-1499. Ford’s Theatre not only celebrates the legacy of Abraham Lincoln but also explores America through its productions. Ford’s Theatre was a top entertainment venue in Washington during the Civil War, giving residents much-needed breaks from reality. President Lincoln loved seeing plays and operas there; he visited Ford’s Theater 10 times as president.
Ford’s Theatre is where President Lincoln was assassinated on April 15th, 1865. The first victim of the Civil War, he had his life cut short by John Wilkes Booth, who shot him with one single-shot Deringer pistol as they watched Our American Cousin onstage.
For over 100 years following the shooting, Ford’s remained closed due to its proximity and association with tragedy at one of America’s most pivotal moments in a history-the assassination that shook our great nation to its core.
The theatre is a historic site and performing arts center that offers interactive museum exhibits and live performances for visitors of all ages. The theater first opened its doors to the public in 1968 after reconstruction from an earlier fire which destroyed most of what you see today at this beautiful venue located just blocks away from theaters.
This historic site operates through a public-private partnership with the National Park Service. This collaboration ensures that visitors can enjoy all of Ford’s Theater’s amenities, including stage performances from around 19th century American history, which were once present in this venue.
For nearly 50 years, Ford’s Theatre has been producing plays and musicals exploring the American experience – an integral part of Lincoln’s legacy. Commissions like The Guard made its world premiere at Fords Theatre in Washington, D.C. And Lincoln-based premieres such Necessary Sacrifices or Heavens Are Hung In Black, and there is no doubt that this historic venue will continue to make a mark on American theatre for generations from now.
Ford’s Theatre is a place that produces musicals and plays reflecting the unique, diverse character of American life. With its inspiring theatrical productions, live historical interpretation with artifacts from President Abraham Lincoln’s life – it will be an unforgettable experience for you. When you visit this historic site, you will learn about the events of April 14th, 1865, and how they impacted our country as a whole. Ford’s Theater hosts over 650,000 visitors every year who come here to see what life was like during Lincoln’s time on earth – including his assassination.
Image Gallery
