Ford's Theatre National Historic Site was added to Your Favorites!
Washington, District of Columbia
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Before becoming a theater, the building served as a Baptist church from 1833 to 1861.
In 1862, a fire destroyed the original structure, and it was rebuilt in 1863, just two years before President Lincoln's assassination.
After Lincoln's assassination in 1865, the theater was closed and did not reopen as a theater until 1968.
Today, Ford's Theatre hosts a variety of performances, including plays and musicals, continuing its legacy as a cultural institution.
The Ford's Theatre Museum houses a collection of artifacts related to President Lincoln's life and assassination, including the gun used by John Wilkes Booth.
The Ford's Theatre National Historic Site includes the Petersen House, where President Lincoln died, located just across the street.
After its closure as a theater, the building was used by the War Department for various purposes, including as a warehouse and office space.
The site provides educational resources and programs for students and teachers to learn about Lincoln's legacy and the Civil War era.
