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Washington, D.C., District of Columbia / Museums

Ford's Theatre Museum

The historic site of President Abraham Lincoln's 1865 assassination, combining a working theater, a museum of Lincolniana, and the preserved Petersen House.

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Ford's Theatre Museum
fords.org, og_image_fords.org

What is the Ford's Theatre Museum known for?

It is part of the historic site where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. The site serves as a working theatre, historical monument, and museum dedicated to exploring Lincoln's legacy and the American experience.

Is it free to visit?

Yes, admission is free, although tickets are required for entry.

What are the hours?

The National Historic Site is generally open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though the visitation schedule can vary week to week.

What can I see during a visit?

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the museum and theatre, view the President's Box from the balcony, and visit the Petersen House and Aftermath Exhibits. During spring and summer, a 30-minute play retelling the assassination may also be available.

Is the theatre currently open?

The theatre has been temporarily closed to the public for scheduled maintenance by the National Park Service, although the Ford's Theatre campus remains open.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Ford's Theatre Museum is part of a larger National Historic Site administered by the National Park Service. The site is most famous as the location where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. The theater's origins date back to 1861, when entrepreneur John T. Ford leased the First Baptist Church and converted it into a music hall. Below the theater, the museum offers a self-guided experience where visitors can explore the Olroyd Collection of Lincolniana. The building transitioned into a museum in 1932 and later reopened as both a historic site and a working theater in 1968. Since that reopening, the venue has presented more than 200 plays, musicals, and special events. Visitors can explore the theater on a self-guided tour, which includes viewing the President's Box from the balcony. The campus also includes the Petersen House, where Lincoln was carried after the shooting. The museum and theater together serve as a learning center focused on the legacy of the 16th president and the American experience. During the spring and summer months, the site offers a special 30-minute play that retells the assassination through the perspective of the theater's 1865 employees. This immersive approach helps visitors connect the historical tragedy to the human stories of those who worked there.

Visitor tips

  • Admission is free, but you must secure timed tickets for entry.
  • Check the official calendar before visiting as the visitation schedule varies week to week.
  • The museum visit is self-guided, allowing you to move at your own pace.
  • Plan to visit during spring or summer to catch the 30-minute play about the theater workers.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., the museum is part of a campus that includes the Petersen House and Aftermath Exhibits, tying the immediate surroundings to the events of April 1865.

Sources

Evidence and links