Ford's Theatre National Historic Site - Washington, DC

Address:511 10th st. NW
Washington, District of Columbia
Tel: (202) 426-6924

Re-live one of the most tumultuous times in American history. See the site of the first US presidential assassination, or just enjoy a show with a visit to Ford's Theatre National Historic Site in Washington, DC. Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is the site of the 1865 assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Today, the site hosts educational tours of the theatre and nearby Petersen House, as well as modern performances.

Built in 1833, Ford's Theatre was originally the First Baptist Church of Washington. In 1861, the structure was bought by John T. Ford and named Ford's New Theatre after an 1862 fire. In 1865, President Lincoln was shot at Ford's theatre during a performance of "Our American Cousin", and later died, after being moved to the Peterson House across the street from the theatre. The government seized Ford's Theatre and prohibited its use as a place of public amusement. This ban lasted until 1968, when Ford's Theatre National Historic Site opened as an active theatre for plays and musicals as well as an historic site commemorating the assassination.

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site offers ranger-guided tours of the site, as well as regular theatrical performances. Tours cover the theatre itself, the museum in the basement, with numerous artifacts from Lincoln's assassination, and the Petersen House, the site to which Lincoln was moved in his last hours. Performances are advertised on their website. After their experience at Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, visitors can find dozens of restaurants within easy walking distance, ranging from fast food to health food.

To get to Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, take the Blue Line Metro train to the Metro Center Metro Station, then walk east along G Street Northwest, then south on 10th Street Northwest to #511.