Ford's Theatre

Ford's Theatre was yet another must-see destination that I could not believe was free to visit.

In case you don't know your history, Ford's theatre is the place where Abe Lincoln was shot. He was then taken across the street to a local citizen's home, The Peterson House, where he later died.

Unfortunately, The Peterson House is currently under construction and will not be open to the public until at least late July. I'm hoping to still be living in DC when it reopens!

Ford's Theatre, though, did not disappoint. You begin your visit with the Abe Lincoln memorial museum, which is in the theatre's basement. I spent a good two hours in the museum before I even wandered up into the actual theatre. The museum has incredible artifacts. It even has a pillow that was under Lincoln's head as he lay dying. The pillow even has bloodstains on it. Shocking. It also makes the story of President Lincoln so realistic that it becomes impossible to see the events of his life as ancient history. The pictures and stories make President Lincoln come to life. By the time you get through the museum and are ready to enter the theatre, you feel a personal, emotional connection to his entire family.

The museum makes the theatre itself so much more meaningful. It has been renovated, but still looks exactly as it did the night that Lincoln died. The Presidential Box is decorated exactly as it was, and there is a museum worker stationed on the theatre’s floor, able to answer any questions visitors may have. During the non-busy months, visitors to the museum can actually sit in the Presidential Box. However, during the summer there is too much traffic to keep the box open.

Sitting in Ford’s Theatre is absolutely an incredible experience. I highly recommend it to anyone. Whether or not you are interested in President Lincoln when you enter Ford’s Theatre, you will be when you leave.

By the way, make sure you enter the lobby and get a (free) ticket before you go outside and stand in line to get into the theatre/museum! The museum “tour” begins every half hour, and you need a free ticket to get in!

Rachel