The site of the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre holds a unique place in United States history. It is operated by the National Park Service and the theatre has attracted millions of visitors since its reopening in 1968. It is one of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital.
Meanwhile downstairs is a museum with exhibits telling the story of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, from his arrival in Washington in 1861 to the legacy he left. The exhibits also paint a picture of Washington, D.C., and the United States during Lincoln’s presidency. It features a remarkable collection of historic artifacts, including the deringer that John Wilkes Booth used, as well as the clothing and boots that President Lincoln wore the night of his assassination.
Here is one of my colleagues Julie, making this exhibit interactive. The figure on the left is checking his pocket watch while Julie is showing him her cell phone. I'm guessing the timepiece was as essential in Lincoln's day as the cell is today.
