Ford’s Theatre for a Family Vacation

Ford’s Theatre Where Lincoln’s Legacy Lives is more than just a catchy slogan, it’s a unlikely place for a unique and meaningful family vacation.

This Family was fortunate enough to work with Ford’s Theatre for an up close and intimate tour of the site of the most famous assassination in America. (And one very close to my heart). What we found was more than a mere museum. Read on to discover what we did on our family vacation, why this was so personal and why every American should take the time to discover Ford’s Theatre Where Lincoln’s Legacy Lives…

Why is Ford’s Theatre Important to Visit?

And why in the world would you go there are as a family vacation?

The Civil War ripped this country apart in ways we still learning and understanding and likely will continue to study for generations to come. Ford’s Theatre has become not just a historic site where the assassination of Abraham Lincoln occurred but a place to celebrate Lincoln’s legacy and study his leadership.

It’s an important link to our historic past but it also gives opportunity to our present and paves the way for future leadership. It’s a deep thread of our connection to our collective American identity and one every citizen should aim to experience. (Ways to do just that down below!)

Leadership, Identity, Connection, Patriotism….good things to bring to the family.

The History of Ford’s Theatre

The story of Ford’s Theatre begins in 1861 when John T. Ford leased the deserted First Baptist Church and turned it into a theatrical venue. In December of that year, George Christy and his Minstrels begin playing for a three month run. After some renovations, Ford opens the theatre under the name ‘Ford’s Anthenaum’.

And on May 28, 1862, Lincoln visited for the first time.

On December 30th of that same year, a fire gutted the entire interior. Ford promptly began reconstruction and on August 27, 1863, he reopened the venue as ‘Ford’s New Theatre’.

Lincoln attended the theatre five times that year.

The following year, Lincoln attended the theatre three times.

He probably would have attended more but this was also the height of the Civil War.

On April 14th 1865, just five days after the end of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre.

The Assassination of President Lincoln

To understand the events that transpired on April 14th and 15th and how they affect us today, I recommend you visit several locations.

Since they are independently owned and operated, that can possibly get a little confusing so the stops and the rationale are outlined here.

Overview

Stop One: The Surratt Boarding House

Stop Two: Ford’s Theatre

Stop Three: The Petersen House

Stop Four: The Aftermath Exhibits

Stop Five: Center for Education and Leadership

The Tour of the event

Stop One: The Surratt Boarding House

We’re very familiar with the name John Wilkes Booth from our history classes. He was a well known actor, a southern sympathizer, and the man who pulled the trigger.

What is lesser known is the fact that he started planning this assassination months in advance. He recruited Samuel Arnold, Michael O’Laughlin, John Surratt and John’s mother, Mary who ran a boardinghouse in Washington DC. A little later, David Herold, George Atzerod, and Lewis Powell joined Booth in his plans.

An attempt to abduct Lincoln on March 17 failed and John Surratt, Samuel Arnold, and Michael O’Laughlin left the group. The Surratts stayed. The family that plots together?

The basic gist of the plan was that after Robert E Lee’s surrender, everyone in the group had a task. Powell was to kill Secretary of State William Seward (He failed), Atzerodt was to kill the VP Andrew Johnson (He lost his nerve), and Booth would kill the President.

STOP NUMBER ONE: The Surratt Boardinghouse, meeting place of the conspirators.

Stop Two: Ford’s Theatre

Ford’s Theatre is stunningly renovated to give visitors an accurate view of what it looked like the day President Lincoln was shot. Tours begin in the lobby which is sleek and modern to accommodate the ticket sales and gift shop as one might expect from any theater.

Down below the theater is a FANTASTIC museum that walks visitors through the famous event with unprecedented understanding. This is key to appreciating what comes next and these exhibits are not to be missed. There are artifacts including a quilt with Lincoln’s signature, Lincoln’s personal items from that day, Booth’s diary, and the Derringer pistol Booth used.

The tour then takes you up a narrow hallway where on one side events of the day are outlined for Booth and on the other, President Lincoln. This seemingly ‘boring’ hallway gives a clear view into the day of both men. When you emerge, you are on the balcony level of Ford’s Theatre and you literally walk in Lincoln (and Booth’s) footsteps to the President’s Box.

If you let yourself feel the weight of it, it’s well, emotional to say the least. Like you want to stop something and you are helpless to do so. By the time we got to the President’s Box, my heart was pounding and I almost didn’t want to open it.

The President’s Box is properly protected from any souvenir hunters but it is preserved so that every visitor can get an intimate look at Lincoln’s view as he sat watching the performance and the even more close up view John Wilkes Booth had of his target.

The gift shop I mentioned earlier is in Ford’s Theatre lobby. It’s well worth the stop for some inspiration not just from our 16th President but from the theatre performances that play there.

STOP NUMBER TWO: Ford’s Theatre

Stop Three: Peterson House

The unconscious President was carried from Ford’s Theatre across the street to 453 Tenth street and placed in a back bedroom. This was tailor William Peterson’s house. Lincoln was too tall for the bed so they laid him diagonally. Over 90 people came in to pay last respects to the dying President while soldiers kept the crowds at bay.

Lincoln never regained consciousness and died the following morning April 15, 1865 7:22 AM

The room where Lincoln passed is furnished as it was (although not with the original items) the night Lincoln passed away. President Lincoln’s family (wife Mary and his son Robert) waited in the adjoining parlor which is also furnished in the same manor so there is an accurate sense of what it looked like.

This property is run by the National Park Service and has different operating hours than that of the Ford’s Theatre so be sure to check before you visit.

It is free of charge.

STOP NUMBER THREE: The Peterson House

Stop Four: The Aftermath Exhibits

One more kind of heavy stop. But it gets inspiring real quick!

The Aftermath Exhibits are technically in the Center for Education and Leadership but they feel more like a moving through a space suspended in time. Once you leave the Peterson House you exit the back and are able to see the yard behind the house. You then take an elevator up to what is the top of the Center for Education and Leadership building but it’s more like being transported to the second half of April, 1865.

The exhibit walks through President Lincoln’s funeral and the epic manhunt for John Wilkes Booth. It gives a true sense of what people were feeling and going through. And, admittedly, beyond the confusion and the sadness, there is some sense of satisfaction when you learn of the outcomes of the conspirators.

STOP NUMBER FOUR: The Aftermath exhibits

Stop Five: Center for Education and Leadership

So the rest of this building is very interesting. And definitely a place to exhale and start feeling really inspired. Drawing upon the wisdom and example of the 16th President, visitors to this space are challenged to be inspired and to take action in their own lives. There are interactive places to put thoughts into words and words into actions.

Our family loved the short film presentation on Lincoln’s Legacy.

In addition, this space houses lecture and reception space where workshops are given for all ages ranging from after school programs to professional development for teachers. All of this is built around a 34 foot tall sculpture made up of books about Abraham Lincoln.

You can access this building off the street as well. It’s next door to the Petersen House and directly across the street from Ford’s Theatre.

STOP NUMBER FIVE: The Center for Education and Leadership And Gift shop, of course!)

Download our Leadership Workshop Curriculum

Lincoln and This Family

This family has a unique connection to Abraham Lincoln.

I’ve always kind of been obsessed with Lincoln and Ford’s Theatre. I remember one year when I was a teenager I read everything I could get my hands on and was absolutely fascinated with the similarities between his life and death and that of President Kennedy.

My uncle took us to Ford’s Theatre on a family vacation when I was about 14 and pointed out to me things unknown to the general public. His cool points went way up.

Last year I found out that Abraham Lincoln and I share a common ancestor, Samuel Lincoln. Suddenly, my strong profile was explained. My siblings and I have always said our father looks like Lincoln…I felt weirdly vindicated. LOL

Also, how cool is it to have Abraham Lincoln in the family tree?????

Answer: SO SO COOL

So Lincoln’s ancestor who came to America is also one of my direct ancestors. Samuel is Abraham’s 4th Great Grandfather and he’s my 10th.

Abraham Lincoln is legit my cousin. Now MY cool points just went up.

Knowing that now, I feel a little family responsibility to uphold that legacy of his words and his actions. Not to mention this family vacation just got very personal.

I do like knowing that the things that mean everything to me (education and family) also meant everything to him.

Ghosts at Ford’s Theatre?

So, my husband is a photographer by trade so he can often explain strange lights that appear in photos. He took this series of pictures from the other side of the Ford’s Theatre, balcony level, of us girls. When I was looking at photos for this post, I noticed some little orbs. He of course dismissed them but I looked at the photos in the burst and the orbs move.

Trick of the light or was our cousin stopping by to say hello? Maybe he wanted to be a visible part of the family vacation? You be the judge!

Perhaps Ford’s Theatre ‘Where Lincoln’s Legacy Lives’ has another meaning?

It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve encountered unexplained orbs on a family vacation.

Did we have a paranormal experience at the Whaley House?

Lessons From Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre, and his Assassination

Although the funeral procession was impressive, not everyone mourned the death of the President. There were plenty of Northerners who felt Abraham Lincoln was quite the dictator and some Republicans felt he was too soft on the Confederacy.

The takeaway here is that even though we often think of President Lincoln as our finest President, he wasn’t perfect or universally loved. Politics have never been clean and tidy and no one man has been universally adored.

It’s a recent trend to tear down our heroes instead of seeking to elevate ourselves to that status. Lincoln was human. So was Booth.

When learning American history, it’s good to put on the lens of the time period. There is still much more to be learned about Lincoln’s Legacy. Everyday new books and lectures come out. The life and times (and death) of Abraham Lincoln have a seemingly endless supply of learning to offer.

History Preserved in Meaningful Dynamic Modern Ways

One of my favorite things about Ford’s Theatre is this. For buildings that honor the most famous death in our history, they are very much alive! Ford’s Theatre is a living breathing theatre that houses full seasons of shows. That’s just one reason it’s a great place to take the family.

Often times (and when appropriate) the show will honor the President’s Box and therefore Ford’s Theatre itself becomes an integral part of the show.

In addition, the Leadership and Education Center hosts dynamic programs based on the values and ideals of President Lincoln. There are after school programs, teacher development, and even a distance learning lab!

Lincoln would LOVE this!

The Ford’s Theatre tours guide visitors through more than mere museum exhibits. They transport your family back in time and give detailed accounts for an unprecedented understanding of one of the most significant moments in our history.

In my humble opinion, this is how it should be! I think participating in history is FAR MORE meaningful than merely reading about it or seeing it behind glass in a museum. Experiencing it brings history to life in a way that cannot be replicated. It’s our favorite way to family vacation. It’s immersive.

I could write for days on Ford’s Theatre and Lincoln’s Legacy but let’s show you how you can have your own family vacation experience!

(And then email me. or comment below.. we can be pen pals!)

Attend Historic Dinner Theater on the West Coast

Plan Your Family Vacation to Ford’s Theatre

Discover Ford’s Theatre Where Lincoln’s Legacy Lives several ways

Attend a Performance

Tour the Historic Site

Virtual Tour

Tickets to Ford’s Theatre vary in price from group tour to private tour (and for shows as well) but they are VERY reasonable. Note, they may or may not include all the stops listed above so save this article.

Parking is an issue, Ford’s Theatre is in downtown Washington DC, so consider a ride service or making use of the great train system DC has.

(Nothing spoils a family vacation faster than a crabby parent who can’t find parking and when they do it’s crazy expensive).

Use History to Discover America- Learn More Here

Final Notes

I feel like this post could be the tip of the iceberg for all Ford’s Theatre has to offer in learning Lincoln’s Legacy and American History in general. Family vacation to Ford’s Theatre and Mount Vernon are the two places that I visited as a child and absolutely riveted me. (And that was long before I knew of the personal connection). I hope you find a way to experience this moment in history and I invite you to tell us all about it!

Lincoln’s Legacy is a living breathing thing and learning it and sharing is how we honor it. Family vacation to Ford’s Theatre is a great way to begin.

Family Vacation at Ford’s Theatre Where Lincoln’s Legacy Lives. How will you experience it?

Make History! Join This Family for great ways like this to take a family vacation through American History.

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