Ford's Theatre

Ford's Theatre is a working theater building in central Washington, D.C., that also serves as a memorial site connected to the Lincoln assassination. The complex includes the Petersen House across the street, where Lincoln died after being shot, along with additional exhibit spaces housed in neighboring structures.

The venue opened in August 1863 as an entertainment house during the Civil War and quickly drew audiences. On April 14, 1865, actor John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln during a performance, an event that caused national mourning and closed the building for decades.

The building carries the name of its original proprietor, John T. Ford, who ran the theater as a working venue before the tragedy. Visitors today walk through halls where theater life continues alongside remembrance, entering boxes and balconies that still hold their 19th-century character.

The theater sits within walking distance of several metro stations and offers elevator access as well as wheelchair seating in the auditorium. Visitors sensitive to sensory input can inquire about adapted visiting hours when lighting and sound are adjusted.

In the basement below the stage, displays show personal items from Lincoln's final evening, including clothing and small notes. Virtual-reality stations let visitors experience testimony from people who were present that night and witnessed the president's last hours.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Official opening: August 1863

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

Capacity: 665

Website: https://fords.org

GPS coordinates: 38.89663,-77.02570

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:13