Plan Your Visit

Welcome to Ford's Theatre and the House Where Lincoln Died
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was assassinated in Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. The mortally wounded, but still breathing president was carried across the street to Petersen's boarding house, where he remained unconscious through the night. On April 15, 1865, President Lincoln died in the Petersen House. First opened to the public in 1968, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site protects the Theatre and Petersen House, houses a museum about the assassination, and is a working theater. .

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is a unit of National Mall and Memorial Parks and operates in partnership with the Ford's Theatre Society.

Maps and Directions
Visit our Directions page to find your way here by public transportation,
bicycle, car, or air. Parking is very limited. Find a map on our Maps page!

Use National Mall and Memorial Parks award-winning wayfinding
system of maps and pylons to navigate your way to the National Mall.

Hours and Seasons
Ford's Theatre National Historic Site is open every day except for Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Tickets are free and required for entry.

However, Ford's Theatre is an active theater, and there are times when the theater is closed for matinees, rehearsals and special events. In most cases the museum and Petersen House will remain open even if the theater is closed for performances. Visit the Hours and Seasons page for more information.

Things To Do
Visit our Things to Do and Calendar of Events pages to discover a wide of array of activities available at Ford's Theatre National Historic Site.