Ford's Theatre

Ford’s Theatre is a historic 19th-century theatre in Washington, D.C., best known as the site of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. The building is preserved as both a working theatre and a museum within the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site.

The theatre building contains the restored stage area and the presidential box where Lincoln was shot, alongside interpretive exhibits about the assassination and the building’s theatrical history. Adjacent museum galleries present artifacts, documents and audio-visual material that place the event in Civil War and national history.

Additional visitor facilities and programming

Across the street, the Petersen House where Lincoln died overnight is preserved with period rooms and interpretation, and guided tours typically connect both locations. The site is managed to balance public programming and preservation, and special performances still take place on the restored stage.

Built as a playhouse in the early 1860s and converted from a Baptist church, the theatre opened under the Ford family name and became a prominent venue in the capital. The assassination of President Lincoln by actor John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, led to the building’s later preservation; it was restored and incorporated into the national historic site with museum and commemorative functions in the 20th century.

Ford’s Theatre stands on Pennsylvania Avenue in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C., a short walk from the White House and other federal buildings.

• Museum and tours: Guided tours and a museum exhibit explain the assassination, Lincoln's presidency and Civil War context; the theatre also hosts select performances under National Park Service oversight.

What to See #

• Ford's Theatre building: A restored 19th-century playhouse on 10th Street NW where the assassination of Abraham Lincoln occurred on April 14, 1865; the stage and presidential box are preserved as part of the historic fabric.
• Petersen House (Lincoln's deathplace): A small rowhouse directly across the street where President Lincoln was taken after being shot; it is preserved with period rooms and interpretation of the assassination and medical care.