The House Where Lincoln Died

The Petersen House is a row house on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington where President Lincoln spent his final hours after being shot at Ford's Theatre across the street. The building contains several rooms with period furnishings and displays that show how the space was used during those crucial hours.

German tailor William Petersen built this house as a residence in 1849, and it remained a private home until Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theatre in 1865. The building's role changed forever that night when it became the place where the wounded president was taken and where he died the following morning.

This house became a place of national mourning and reflection after Lincoln's death, shaping how Americans understand a pivotal moment in their history. Visitors today come to witness the space where a nation's direction changed through tragedy.

Free admission requires timed entry tickets that you can reserve in advance through the National Park Service to manage visitor flow. The building sits directly across from Ford's Theatre, making it easy to visit both locations during the same trip to the neighborhood.

More than ninety people crowded into this house during those final hours, including cabinet members, doctors, and military officials trying to manage the situation and keep crowds at bay outside. This overwhelming presence of officials reflects the immediate crisis and confusion that gripped the nation that night.

Location: District of Columbia

Address: 516 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:30-17:00

Phone: +12023474833

Website: http://fords.org

GPS coordinates: 38.89639,-77.02639

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:02