The Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service have planned activities to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln was mortally wounded by Confederate sympathizer and actor John Wilkes Booth during a showing of “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in the District. Lincoln died on the morning of April 15, 1865, at the Petersen House across the street from the theater.
On Monday, the Ford’s Theatre Society will offer a virtual field trip over Zoom for students in fifth grade and higher, and the Petersen House will host house tours every 30 minutes from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, at 7:22 a.m., the time that Lincoln died, the National Park Service will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at the Petersen House.
Other events will take place on Monday and Tuesday. At 2 p.m. each day, park service rangers will offer 35-minute walking tours of the neighborhood around the theater.
Another walking tour by the Ford’s Theatre Society focuses on the investigation of the assassination and will be available throughout April and May.
A play about the assassination, “One Destiny,” resumed showings at Ford’s Theatre. The 40-minute production will be performed on Monday and Tuesday and will have other showings through May 17.
In addition, PBS and the Ford’s Theatre Society have partnered to create a three-part video series on the assassination, with episodes airing Monday, April 14, April 22 and April 29.
Tickets for the virtual field trip, investigation walking tour and “One Destiny” shows, as well as video-on-demand streaming of the play, can be bought on the Ford’s Theatre website. Tickets for visiting the Ford’s Theatre historic site and museum are available for dates through May 26.
“At Ford’s, we take very seriously the responsibility to inspire the next generation of leaders. Commemorating the assassination of Abraham Lincoln provides the opportunity to explore how the tragic event impacted our nation and examine Lincoln’s continued legacy, in addition to celebrating the life of a great American leader,” Ford’s Theatre Director Paul Tetreault said in a release.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.