Ford's Theatre
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Include a visit to Ford's Theatre on your trip to Washington D.C. John T. Ford opened the first theatre on this site in 1833 by converting the abandoned First Baptist Church into Ford's Atheneum. The building burned to the ground during the same year. In 1863, James J. Gifford designed and oversaw the construction of a new theater on the site. He drew inspiration from Baltimore's Holliday Street Theatre.
On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln and his wife Mary attended the play "Our American Cousin." While laughing with those in attendance, including Major Henry Rathbone and his fiancée, Miss Clara Harris, who were also seated in the State Box, John Wilkes Booth entered the State Box, shooting President Lincoln in the back of the head. Dr. Charles Leale immediately attended to the president before attendees moved his body across the street to the Petersen House, where he died on April 15, 1865. President Lincoln had signed the bill creating the Secret Service earlier in 1865, but their purpose was to prevent counterfeiting. Therefore, only one police officer escorted the president during his theater visit.
Immediately following the shot, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton seized control of Ford's Theatre and oversaw the crime investigation. He severely limited access to the building. Many other theaters in Washington D.C. closed in the days following the president's death. After that fateful night, John T. Ford tried to reopen the building on July 10, 1865. Still, after allowing him to sell 200 tickets to a performance of "Octoroon" to fund a Lincoln memorial, the United States Department of War stopped the performance two hours before it opened.
After a lively debate over the legality of stopping an individual from earning a living, the federal government started leasing the building for $1,500 monthly. Workers dismantled the building's interior and made plans for the United States Department of War and the Army's Surgeon General's office staff to move into the building. Major renovations destabilized the structure, and the third floor collapsed in June 1893.
Yet, the building continued to be used as an office complex and as the home of the United States Army Medical Museum until 1932, when workers converted the first floor into a museum focusing on President Lincoln's death. Finally, the National Park Service got control of the building in 1933, and workers reconstructed the interior the way it was the night the president was shot. It reopened to the public on January 30, 1968, as part of an attempt to help nearby racially diverse neighborhoods recover from the riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
How to Get There
Flying into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport or Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is easy. Then, you can ride the red, orange, silver or blue line bus, get off at the Metro Center, and walk about four minutes to the theater. It is also possible to take the yellow or green lines to Gallery Place and walk about 11 minutes to reach this destination. Finally, consider riding the train, getting off at the Metro Center or L'Enfant Plaza, and walking a short distance to Ford's Theatre.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Ford's Theatre
Visit Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre contains two significant areas. The Ford's Theatre Museum is in the building's basement. The museum uses narration and environmental exhibits to teach about Lincoln's presidency and his assassination. This part of the facility is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Above the museum is the re-created theater. It is closed occasionally to prepare for plays and special events. During the spring and early summer, actors usually perform "One Destiny" in the mornings from Tuesday through Saturday. This 40-minute play grapples with whether anyone could have stopped John Wilkes Booth during the assassination. Additionally, plays are performed in this theater regularly.
A ticket to Ford's Theatre also includes visiting the Petersen House, where attendees took the president after being shot.
Visitors from spring through October can go on the theater's guided walking tour of nearby attractions. A costumed Civil War detective leads the 1.5-mile tour.
Ticket Information
Timed-entry tickets are required to visit Ford's Theatre. You can obtain a free ticket ahead of time by paying a $3.50 convenience fee. The remaining tickets are free at the theater's entrance on the day you visit. Watching performances at the theater is a terrific experience, and those tickets are usually between $74 and $89, depending on chosen seating.
Family-Friendly Options
Visiting Ford's Theatre is a terrific family activity. Consider renting the kids' audio guide for each of your children when you visit the museum. The guide uses character voices to help children understand what they see.
Sign your children up to be junior rangers, and they will receive a special guide with activities to complete during their visit. A talented storyteller who is a park ranger regularly holds a story hour.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
There are two terrific choices to consider when visiting Ford's Theatre. Consider visiting the museum early in the day and go on a self-guided tour. Then, watch "One Destiny" before heading to the Petersen House. If this is your choice, consider timing your visit when the theater will be open to visit.
The second option is to see a play at Ford's Theatre. In that case, consider coming later in the day and visiting the museum and the Petersen House shortly before its closing at 5 p.m. Then, take a dinner break before attending an evening performance.
As you leave the exhibit area that explains the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination, there is a three-story structure made of books about Abraham Lincoln that many children find fascinating and is a super-spot for a family photo.
Ford's Theatre Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
For some of the best RV camping in Anpolis, Maryland, look no further than Cherry Hill Park. Established more than 48 years ago, this campground has stayed in the same family all these years. As a result, it has a long history of serving both its local community and all those who want to stop by the area for a visit.
Greenbelt Park is run by the tiol Park Service. It is a green oasis in the urban area of Maryland and Washington, D.C. It is a rustic, Washington, D.C., campground, and the main amenity is the tural surroundings.
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park is administered by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. It has developed areas for playing and picnicking and wilderness areas for hiking just 15 miles south of Washington, D.C. Reservations are required for groups of six or more people.
Activities Near Ford's Theatre
Things to Do
Fishing
The Potomac River is a terrific place to go fishing. Consider fishing for striped bass in the spring; this river also contains 18 fish species.
Nature watching
Ellen Biddle Shipman established Tregaron Conservancy as a wild garden. You will love following the rehabilitated pedestrian trails, seeing the meadows, walking across the stone bridges and climbing the stairways at this venue as you see wildlife along the way.
Flora and fauna
The United States Botanic Garden is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States. You will love seeing plants from across the United States at this facility, including some seldom seen elsewhere, including trees of life, desert onions, baseball plants and Florida yew trees.
Hiking
The United States Arboretum has over 30 miles of hiking trails. You can hike through forests, down to the river or around their different plant collections.
Boating
The National Harbor is a terrific place to start a boating adventure, and boats are available to rent at the marina. If you prefer, ride one of the water taxis to Mount Vernon, Old Alexandria or The Wharf.
Swimming
Great Waves Water Park in Alexandria is a terrific place for a day of water play because of its wide range of slides for different age groups. They also have a giant splash pad and an area where parents can swim with younger children.
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
You should arrive about 10 minutes before your timed entry to Ford's Theatre. You must wait outside during this time, so considering the weather is essential. January is the coldest month, with an average daytime high of 42 degrees Fahrenheit, so dressing in layers you can easily remove and carry once inside is a good idea. The theater does not have a coat room. The warmest month is July, with an average daytime high of 87 degrees. Therefore, consider wearing a hat to block the sun's rays from warming your body as much. The wettest month is August, but some form of precipitation falls on an average of 115 days in Washington, D.C., so bringing an umbrella or a winter coat is a great idea.
Only bottled water is allowed in the building. Strollers are permitted and are an excellent option for parents. You can wear any clothing except historical costumes. Visitors are encouraged to bring cameras on their visit.
Safety & Accessibility
Most of Ford's Theatre is accessible to people in wheelchairs. They should use the front entrance. An elevator at the main orchestra level provides access to the museum and the upper level. Visitors who are blind can request complimentary brochures in Braille at the main desk. In addition, most films shown during visits are closed-captioned.
Conclusion
Ford's Theatre is a terrific stop to include in a Washington D.C. itinerary. During the day, visit the museum to learn more about President Lincoln's life and assassination. Attend a short play to help you understand the event in context. Most evenings, you can watch live theater performed on stage.
FAQ
Greenbelt Park is a terrific camping option operated by the National Park Service about 12 miles northeast of Ford's Theatre. This 172-site campground features free hot showers. There are other nearby options in Maryland and Virginia.
The Ford's Theatre location is RV-friendly because it is only a short distance from Interstate 66 and Interstate 695. Union Station has an oversized parking lot, making it easy to take public transportation to the theater.
Your timed ticket to Ford's Theatre includes the Petersen House, where the president died, the museum, the education center and the daytime performance. Make sure to take advantage of all parts of this opportunity. Watching an evening performance at the theater requires purchasing another ticket.
Ford's Theatre is family-friendly. Rent a children's audio guide so that they will understand more about the events that occurred in the building. Everyone will love watching "A Christmas Carol" performed on stage during the winter holidays.
Pets, except service dogs, are not allowed in Ford's Theatre. Ensure you never leave your pet in a hot RV.