Ford’s Theatre was built in 1861 by John T. Ford and was a popular venue for plays, operas, and other performances. On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was attending a performance of “Our American Cousin” at the theater when he was shot by John Wilkes Booth. The theater was closed for several years after the assassination but was eventually restored and reopened in 1968 as a living history museum and performing arts venue.

Today, Ford’s Theatre is a National Historic Site and is open to the public for tours. Visitors can see the Presidential Box where Lincoln was shot, as well as exhibits about the history of the theater and the events of that fateful night. The theater also hosts performances of plays and musicals, many of which are related to the Civil War era.