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Ford's Theatre
Rating Details »
Category: Performing Arts
511 10th St NW(between N E St & N F St)
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-4833
- Nearest Transit:
-
Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange)
Gallery Pl-Chinatown (Red, Green, Yellow)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
29 reviews for Ford's Theatre
I was so excited to come here for the first time last week. I am in awe of places that have historic ties to them. Could you even imagine being in this theatre 150 years ago and witnessing the assassination of President Lincoln?
I realize the the theatre has been vastly renovated, but the President's box is still here: just as it was on that fateful in April. His actual jacket he wore that night is on display on the lobby.
The museum in the basement is very informative. I am glad I arrived early, but wish I had more time to watch all the videos. It is a bit eerie to read the time lines of Boothe President Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth on the day to the minute leading up to the assassination.
While Ford's Theatre is not as ornate and opulent as the Lincoln Theatre on U Street, it is as good as it gets for preserving the memory of a man who made history what it is today.
After a couple of years of walking past and never making it inside, I finally made it over to see a play at Ford's Theater. A friend and I got tickets to see a Sunday evening performance of "Black Pearl Sings!", and I have to admit I wasn't sure what to expect going into it. The quality of performance was excellent, though, and I loved the play itself. It seemed like everyone else felt the same way; the two leading ladies got a solid standing ovation.
It was pretty moving to be sitting right at the foot of Lincoln's box in a theater that despite recent renovations still makes you feel like you're stepping back in time. I can almost imagine what it must have looked like seeing Booth jump off the balcony and tear across the stage; it's such a small theater that I'm sure it was impossible to miss (or sleep through?!!). I can't think of too many other places where you go can and experience such a historically significant place almost exactly as other Americans did 150 years ago.
I liked the new visitor's center entrance, with a good little concessions stand and lots of friendly staff/volunteers around to help you find your way around. It got crowded during the intermission, with a bit of a line for concessions, but I waited about 10 minutes to head to the bathroom and for once there was NO line for the ladies' room! That's always a nice surprise. I was sorry to miss seeing the museum downstairs; I didn't notice the entrance (on the left as you head into the theater) until I was on my way out... it didn't say it was closed, so I'm hoping I can check it out on my next visit. I'd love to see "A Christmas Carol" when it returns to Ford's Theater this winter.
After living in DC for almost 6 years I finally made it to the Ford's Theater. What took me so long? This theater is a national gem. Granted, we have many in DC, but I will definitely be back.
I had the opportunity to see "Black Pearl Sings" last night, and loved it. Watching this particular performance in the theater of this venue made the experience even better.
The theater itself is beautiful, having been recently renovated, and has an intimate feeling to it. I can't imagine that there are any bad seats in the house, and the balconies give it the feeling of stepping back in time. You feel like you're going back in history when you're in this place.
The gift shop has some cool items for sale as well, and the theater staff is very friendly.
Be sure to make a visit to this gem when you are in the neighborhood or visiting DC.
This is an active theater, which has been recently restored. The President's box looks just as it did on April 14, 1865.
You can see the museum and theater for free. You must go to the visitor's desk for the free tickets. Some admissions only allow you to go into the theater for a lecture from a ranger, so be sure to get the tickets that allow you to see the museum and provide you entrance into the Peterson House, where Lincoln died across the street.
The museum has all kinds of historic artifacts, including the gun that Lincoln was shot with. You are able to view the room Lincoln died in if you visit the Peterson House, but just so you know that's not the bed. The actual bed he died in is held in a museum in Chicago.
This wasn't on my original must see list, but I'm so glad we came and checked it out.
This gets a four-star review because it's a must-see and it's a historical landmark. Tickets are available same day for hourly tours. Once inside, the museum is self-guided and houses standard Lincoln artifacts and details of his presidency and assassination.
There are a lot of cool things, such as a timeline of his last day, statues, guns, cuffs, letters, and clothes. There is a Ranger presentation in the main theater where someone recounts a bit of the history of the museum and the events that led to and followed Lincoln's death.
One thing I really liked about Ford's Theater is that it has been restored to become an active theater with nightly shows during certain seasons - but it doesn't lose it's touch as a historical place, retaining the most important features of remembering that fateful day.
Gosh I wish I loved this place. It is free to get in you just need to go to the box office and ask for a ticket. The last show I believe is 3:00 or so and the show is mostly about one guy sitting up on the theatre talking to you.
It gets really boring since it is so monotone. Talks about what really happened at the Ford's Theatre. Lincoln...got shot there but if you don't remember this person will tell you everything. What was quite funny is that you have to wait in this line before you can get into the theatre but still people are falling asleep when they get in. Probably because of the air conditioning.
After you finish with Ford's theatre you can go outside and walk across the street and see where Lincoln died at on his bed..Which is pretty cool! All this place needs is better speakers really !! Then more people would probably be excited and actually not fall asleep.
The theater itself gets at least three stars for still being there. I took pictures of the outside, but did not get a chance to go inside the auditorium space. When I arrived at noon, all the shows were sold out. The only one left was the walk-through tour at 4pm, but it was such an odd time and would have meant missing other D.C. highlights, so I decided to forgo the experience. They should really have short walkthroughs at other times throughout the day, and not just once in the late afternoon/early evening. If I had planned things better, I would have seen a show at the theater, since the performances are not that expensive.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/22/2009
It would be cool if you could just pop in whenever you wanted to peak at the theater and take… Read more »
Free to visit the museum. We weren't allowed to see the theater because there was some show prepping for performance there, but it was nice to see this historical landmark. Especially for free. Would have loved to see a show there too. With the free ticket you are also allowed to go see the Peterson house across the street (where Lincoln died), though there's not much to see there. The security guard and guides are very knowledgeable and forthcoming with info about the theater.
Even as you're watching a play here, mine was a Christmas Carol in '03, you can't help but stare at where it all went down and look at the stage where he leaped to. Booth, not Lincoln.
I was very excited to be a part of this theater, if only paying for a ticket. The musuem was cool and I'm glad I went
Due to my lack of attention span, I doubt I'd be able to ever see a show here. I'd be looking around, wondering if the person in Lincoln's box was going to get shot... I don't even know if that box is open for seating during shows or not, but still. I'd be just wondering.
It's intriguing to see the place, especially after watching a special on the History Channel about Lincoln's assassination. Right down to the dried, now-brown blood.
What's cool is that they actually have shows here. If I lived in the D.C. area this would probably be one of my number one theater spots to hit up if not my only one. Not that they have a huge selection of anything going on but it'd be really cool. I've seen the inside of the theater and the history bit they have set up outside of it but as a history buff I'd save up and spend mad cash to watch a show from the seat Lincoln was shot in. As morbid as that sounds...The tour here is really naet and the house that Lincoln died in is across the street. If you're really interested in history this is one of those places to stop and if you're just curious it's one of those 'once in a lifetime' type chances, unless you frequent the D.C. area. If you want to make the experience more intense, do some research (even if it's a TV special) about Lincoln's death and all of that before you come!
After Abe Lincoln's death (he was shot on my birthday...ahem - many, many years prior to my birth), this theatre was closed for about 100 years, only reopening in the late 60's. It currently operates as a working theatre (and is a great space to see plays - try A Christmas Carol) and a museum with exhibits all about Lincoln's life and subsequent death.
**OPINION PRINCESS HOT TIP** Across the street from Ford's Theater is an actual gum tree where HUNDREDS of passersby and visitors to the museum (where no chewing gum is allowed) have posted their 'chew' on the tree. It's a rather, uh, colorful tree, besides being utterly disgusting, but it's worth a look and photo.
Um....how can anyone NOT give this place 5 stars? Went last night for the grand reopening, and although I'd not been to it prior to last night and therefore have no grounds for comparison, the place is awesome. I guess it's easy for us Washingtonians to take advantage of the fact that so much history has taken place in this city and that we've all been to the spots where so-and-so was shot, or inaugurated, or where MLK stood to deliver his "I Have a Dream Speech." But this place is reminiscent of history in a way that only the Capitol can parallel - it's just so old fashioned and simple and cool. They've got a show called the Heavens are Painted in Black or something like that (i just saw it last night and forgot the title already), and have cast an eerily similar lookalike as Honest Abe. It's 3 acts, a bit slow at times, but worth checking out. In the end, the thing I thought about most was, "wow, I can't believe I'm 12 feet below the place Lincoln was shot."
I'm now inspired to read Team of Rivals.
Go here!
We could only see the museum in the basement. They have artifacts of Lincoln's life as well as death. Definitely worth a visit.
IMPORTANT TIP: The theater to see the balcony where Lincoln was shot is only open until 12 noon. The museum is open until 5.
My wife and I attended one of the first, world-premiere performances of "The Heavens Are Hung in Black," the play specially commissioned by the theatre to celebrate its grand re-opening after a two-year renovation. (The play was just average. A little long, a little slow and some weird accents and costume beards.) Our seats were amazing - literally the best in the house: front-row, center, dress circle in the balcony. The place has been beautifully restored. It's a magnificent setting to see a play in Washington. The historical importance of the theater is never lost on those in attendance, as the President's box has been restored to its condition on the fateful night in April 1865. I found it more than a bit ironic that nearly 145 years later, we were watching an actor portray Lincoln on the exact spot on stage where the President's assassin leapt from the box and onto the stage after he fired his shot. As an older theater, its amenities (restrooms, concessions, etc.) are on the small side, but are now brand new. So strictly as a performing arts space, I'm deducting a star. But being able to see a performance in a national historical landmark such as Ford's is a five-star experience.
The only other real downside is parking. There is a garage located right next to the theatre, but getting out of there was a real hassle. It took almost 30 minutes waiting in a single file line as the garage attendants slowly processed each ticket. Hopefully they'll fix that little glitch on performance nights. Otherwise, park somewhere else.
Okay duh, it's Ford's Theatre, it's awesome. But other people have told you all about it, so I shall simply vent about a detail which has always bugged the bejeebus out of me (ah, Yelp, therapy):
In the basement there is a display listing "coincidences" between the Lincoln and Kennedy assassinations.
Dear Department of Theatres where US Presidents Were Assassinated, what were you guys thinking?
Little kids come through this place, and they want to learn about... what was it called again? Oh yeah, REALITY.
If you're President, everybody and their Aunt Gertrude wants to be "connected" to you in some way, and they go to great lengths to find some way to document that connection... so it's not even a tiny bit surprising that names and whatnot line up from the lives of Lincoln and Kennedy.
There, I feel better.
Lovely building.
I find myself distracted at performances, re-enacting the assasination in my head. And then I wonder about Mary Todd, and how she went a little batty. Poor Mary.
I have never seen a show here- I can only speak about Ford's as a historical site and as a museum.
The theatre itself is cool to visit-- the most recent time I was there, only the balcony was open as a show was teching. The first time I was there, I heard a talk about the events of Good Friday many many many years ago that was informative if not entiring scintillating.
The box where Lincoln was shot remains intact...which is eerie and awesome.
The museum-- the museum! AMAZING. I can't recommend it enough. There is a wealth of stuff about Lincoln and Booth, about the assassination, about everything that happened that night and during Booth's flight from the theatre--and it's all supported by actual objects. Lincoln's torn coat, the board Booth used to jam the door, Major Rathbone's gloves, opera glasses that may have belonged to Mary Todd Lincoln...tons and tons of amazing things.
There's also a nice, small book/gift shop in the museum with a lot of the kinds of things you can get at the Lincoln Memorial.
Actual Ford's Theater renovated to its original state. President Lincoln's box is furnished exactly as it is during that fateful night.
Wonderful museum in the basement with many of President Lincoln's personal items and the derringer used by John Wilkes Booth for the assassination.
You live history here.
ps: answer to trivia question as to what play was being performed when Lincoln was shot?
A:
Our American Cousin
Ford's Theater is very cool. It is also located right in the center of downtown making it easily accessible to tourists and me.
Growing up in Illinois, you hear all of the stories of President Lincoln. He's our man! It was cool to visit this historic site when I moved to DC. It is overwhelmed with tourists in the summer. If you are a local, save your trip for the fall or winter.
Be sure to check out the museum in the basement to see many great artifacts from the fateful night John Wilkes-Booth shot Lincoln.
Recalls the (awful) joke, "Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the show?"
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/7/2006
I was particularly moved by the glassed-off booth where Lincoln and his party sat, which is still… Read more »
I've seen a lot of performance at the Ford's theater.
It's always entertaining!
Last night I went to see musical Meet Jon Doe!
Fantastic performance!
Definitely worth to see!
Beautiful voices from the main actress and actor!
A sassy jazzy broadway musicals completes with an intrique politics!
The story that had place in NY!
An excellent performance and act!
Well done!
Several additions and substantial renovations have contributed to the dramatic alteration of the original appearance of the theater, which opened a mere three years before it unfortunately took its place in American history. The on-site museum features exhibits focusing on Abraham Lincoln's life, political career, and assassination, as well as the derringer John Wilkes Booth used to kill him. In addition to its historical significance, the building continues to function as a legitimate theater.
High-quality performances in one of the most famous theaters in the world with the absolute most uncomfortable seats they could find. I deduct one star for the diamond-hard seats (don't let the cushion fool you) and the 7:30 pm curtains (I like sipping my wine slowly at dinner - please Ford's, please start your shows at 8 like civilized people!!)
No visit to DC is complete without visiting Ford's Theatre. I could spend three days here and I still would want to come back. All the neat artifacts would intrigue any youngster into wanting to learn more about Abe.
Every American should visit this theater once in their life. I went and saw A Christmas Carol. The performance was entertaining enough, but the historical aspect of the theater is definitely what makes it worthwhile. It still has that really old feel to it, despite being renovated. I always try to bring people here when they come to visit. You can get half price tickets to any show if you go to the box office the morning of the performance.
What a neat place. A great stop for anyone who has interest in history or Lincoln. The museum is excellent. Just a really neat theater.
This place is closed until November, so I didn't get to go, which is sad, because I'm a big Lincoln fan. I'm still giving it five stars because the nice lady did inform me though that the house where Lincoln died was still open, right across the street.
this is another one of those places you go and suddenly it hits you that the history you read about in 7th grade ACTUALLY happened here! years ago i saw a play here, and i was looking forward to showing my hawaiian friend the theater where lincoln was shot but right now ford's is closed for renovations until 2009! tears.
