After President Lincoln’s assassination, Ford’s Theatre was immediately closed for investigation, transforming into a somber crime scene. The federal government seized the building, and military guards were stationed outside to prevent unauthorized access. Photographs and detailed accounts of this period are archived by the National Park Service, offering a glimpse into the theatre’s role during this national tragedy (nps.gov).
After assassinating President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth fled Washington, D.C., initiating a massive manhunt. He was pursued by Union soldiers across Maryland and into Virginia. On April 26, 1865, nearly two weeks later, Booth was located at Richard Garrett’s farm in Port Royal, Virginia. Surrounded by Union troops, Booth refused to surrender. The barn where he was hiding was set on fire, and during the ensuing chaos, Booth was shot and killed. Detailed accounts of these events are covered by PBS (fords.org).
Following President Lincoln’s assassination, Ford’s Theatre was immediately closed for investigation. The U.S. government seized the building, converting it into a federal office space. In 1893, a tragic interior collapse resulted in the deaths of 22 clerks, leading to further disuse. It wasn’t until 1968 that the theatre was restored and reopened as both a working theatre and museum (britannica.com).
The Booth family was renowned in the theatrical world; John’s father, Junius Brutus Booth, and his older brother, Edwin Booth, were acclaimed actors. Edwin, in particular, was celebrated for his Shakespearean performances and was considered one of the greatest American actors of the 19th century. In a striking and ironic twist, Edwin saved Robert Todd Lincoln, President Abraham Lincoln’s son, from a potentially fatal accident at a train station in Jersey City, New Jersey, in the early 1860s. This incident is detailed in the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s records (gilderlehrman.org).
The chair in which President Abraham Lincoln was seated during his assassination at Ford’s Theatre is preserved at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. This rocking chair, part of a parlor set purchased by Ford’s Theatre manager Harry Ford in 1863, was offered to Lincoln during his visits to the theatre. After the assassination, it was seized as evidence and remained in storage until 1929, when it was acquired by Henry Ford. The chair is now a poignant artifact, displayed in the museum’s “With Liberty and Justice for All” exhibition, serving as a somber reminder of that tragic night. For an in-depth look, see the museum’s official page (thehenryford.org).
After decades of closure, Ford’s Theatre reopened in 1968 as a living memorial to President Abraham Lincoln. It now operates as a working theatre and historical site, hosting a variety of performances, including musicals, plays, and educational programs that explore Lincoln’s legacy and the American experience. The theatre is managed through a partnership between the Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service. For more information about its current operations and upcoming events, visit the theatre’s official website (fords.org).
Every April, Ford’s Theatre commemorates the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination with a series of ceremonies and interpretive events, keeping history alive. These programs include ranger-guided tours, living-history performances, and tribute ceremonies that honor Lincoln’s legacy and the events of that fateful night. For detailed information on these annual commemorations, visit the Civil War Trust’s website (battlefields.org).
The intertwined legacies of John Wilkes Booth and Ford’s Theatre have profoundly shaped American history. Booth’s tragic act of assassinating President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theatre, not only ended Lincoln’s life but also marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey. This event led to the theatre’s closure for over a century, during which it transformed from a vibrant cultural venue into a somber memorial. In 1968, Ford’s Theatre reopened, serving as both a working theatre and a museum dedicated to Lincoln’s legacy. Today, it stands as a testament to resilience, reflecting on a dark chapter while celebrating the enduring spirit of the American people. For more information, visit the National Park Service’s page on Ford’s Theatre (nps.gov).
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