Ford’s Theatre Marks 150 Years since the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., marks the 150^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and death with the Ford’s 150: Remembering the Lincoln Assassination. A series of special events, including a world premiere play titled The Widow Lincoln, lectures and commemorations are planned, and a jewel box exhibition titled Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination will reunite priceless artifacts from the night of the assassination for the first time since April 1865.

Items included within Silent Witnesses are the contents of Lincoln’s pockets, his top hat and Brooks Brothers’ great coat worn to Ford’s Theatre the night of the assassination. Mary Lincoln’s velvet cape and fragments from theatre actress Laura Keene’s costume also will be on display with items belonging to the Lincolns’ guests, Major Rathbone and his fiancée Clara Harris. Assassin John Wilkes Booth’s .44 caliber single-shot deringer pistol, as well as musical instruments played in the orchestra during the infamous performance of Our American Cousin will also be exhibited. Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination will be on display at the Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership March 23, 2015 to May 25, 2015.

“Daily at Ford’s we seek to honor Lincoln and the tremendous impact his life, leadership and death had on our nation,” said Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. “As we approach this milestone year, we are proud to partner with the National Museum of American History, museums across the nation, and with our colleagues at the National Park Service to bring this extraordinary collection of artifacts under one roof at the Center for Education and Leadership.”

Additionally, Lincoln’s carriage, which transported the President, Mary Lincoln, Major Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris to Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865, will be on display at the National Museum of American History while Silent Witnesses will be at the Center for Education and Leadership.

“History isn’t static when visitors are engaging with the real objects that help us make the connection between historic events and our lives today,” said John Gray, director of the National Museum of American History. “I am pleased that we are part of this important exhibition, uniting for the first time, the many stories from that night,” he continued.

Self-guided visits to the Ford’s Theatre campus, including Ford’s Theatre, Museum, Petersen House (where Lincoln died) and the exhibitions at the Center for Education and Leadership, are available daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). Advance daytime tickets to Silent Witnesses are now* available at www.fords.org/event/silent-witnesses, with the reservation of Acoustiguide audio tours. Ticketmaster fees apply. A limited number of free day-of tickets to Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination will be available at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office on a first-come basis for extended viewing hours on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“We welcome all to Washington this spring to learn our national history, celebrate Lincoln’s life and be inspired by his vision,” Tetreault said. A full programming schedule for Ford’s 150 will be announced in January 2015.

Ford’s Theatre is accessible to persons with disabilities, offering wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms, and audio enhancement.

Tickets at www.fords.org and Ticketmaster: (800) 982-2787 
Information: (202) 347-4833 Groups: (202) 638-2367

Ford’s Theatre on Twitter: @fordstheatre

Ford’s Theatre on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fordstheatre

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View from the stage of the President’s Box at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by Maxwell MacKenzie.

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Street view of the Center for Education and Leadership; adjacent to the Petersen House (where Abraham Lincoln died). Photo by Maxwell MacKenzie.

John Wilkes Booth’s single-shot .44 caliber deringer pistol fired at the President from between six and 10 inches away, discharging a ball of lead less than a half-inch in diameter that entered Lincoln’s head near his left ear. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith.