Destination List > Ford's Theatre

Ford's Theatre

Photo by KidTruant

Kid Rating:starstarstarstar

The history...

Ford's Theatre is a theater located in Washington, D.C., which opened in August 1863.

It is famous for being the site of the assassination of United States President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. After being shot in the head, the fatally wounded 56-year-old Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he died the next morning.

The theater was later used as a warehouse and office building, and in 1893 part of it collapsed, causing 22 deaths. It was renovated and re-opened as a theater in 1968. During the 2000s, it was renovated again, opening on February 12, 2009, in commemoration of the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth. A related Center for Education and Leadership museum experience opened February 12, 2012, next to Petersen House.

The Petersen House and the theater are preserved together as Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, administered by the National Park Service.

Wikipedia

Level Up Your Adventures

XP EARNED

Get your Duckwyn Passport and keep track of the countries and places you visit. Collect stamps and stickers while earning experience points toward becoming a Legendary World Explorer.

Join Today
Website

Washington D.C., journey on...

Founded after the American Revolution, it's now the capital of the US.