Museum Grand Reopening

Ford’s Theatre Museum combines a remarkable collection of historic artifacts with a variety of interactive exhibits to tell the story of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. Using environmental recreations, videos and three-dimensional figures, the museum transports visitors to 19th-century Washington, where they can follow Lincoln from his arrival in Washington in 1861. Exhibits explore Lincoln’s Presidential cabinet, what life was like in the Lincoln White House, various Civil War milestones and generals, Lincoln’s great speeches and the Assassination conspiracy. The collection of artifacts includes the deringer that John Wilkes Booth used, as well as a replica of the coat that President Lincoln wore the night he was shot.

General Information

America's transfer from Civil War to peace was made more difficult on April 14, 1865, when Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed just five days after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. A well-known actor, John Wilkes Booth, desperate to aid the dying Confederacy, stepped into the president's theatre box and assassinated Mr Lincoln. Booth escaped into the night as Abraham Lincoln was carried to the Petersen boarding house across the street. It was there that President Lincoln died early the next morning. Lincoln was the first American president to be assassinated.

To help plan your visit to Ford's Theatre, we have implemented a timed ticket entrance system. There is no charge to visit the site. However, if you would like to make an advance reservation, there is a convenience fee.

For more information, visit Operating Hours & Seasons and Fees & Reservations. Groups of 20 or more, please contact the Group Sales office by email at groups@fords.org or call the Ford’s Theatre Society, a Ford's Theatre National Historic Site partner, at 202-638-2367 or 800-899-2367 to make a reservation.

In general, Ford's Theatre is open every day except for December 25. However, Ford's Theatre is an active theatre and there are times when the site is closed for matinees, rehearsals and special events.

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