The Wandering Disciple

Within the walls of this popular DC theater, the history of our nation would change forever following the assassination of President Lincoln at the hands of John Wilkes Booth.  The First Family was enjoying a night at the theater when Booth stormed the box, shooting Lincoln.  Today the theater and the nearby Peterson House are preserved in memory of the fallen leader.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

The infamous Presidential Box of Ford's Theater where American History was changed forever.  It was at this spot where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by actor John Wilkes Booth during the play "Our American Cousin".  Today you can tour the theater on guided tours offered by the National Park Service.  (Photo: February 14, 2009) 

Washington, DC: Once one of the top production theaters in DC, Ford’s Theatre became the site of one of the darkest days in American history, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Built in 1833, the building was home to the First Baptist Church of Washington. The congregation eventually moved out and in 1861, John Ford purchased the building and turned it into a theater. The theater suffered a fire in 1862 and had to rebuild. The rebuilt theater was reopened in August of 1863. The theater continued to entertain the citizens of DC, packing the theater full for the presentation. The plays even attracted presidential appeal as President Abraham Lincoln saw the theater as an escape from the stresses of life. But history forever changed on the night of April 14, 1865. President Lincoln and his wife Mary decided to visit Ford’s Theatre to see the play “Our American Cousin”. The President tried to make a quiet entrance into the theater but when the orchestra saw him enter, th...