Ford’s Theatre stands at 511 10th Street NW in downtown Washington, D.C., between E and F Streets, and it is the site where President Abraham Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865. The National Park Service and the Ford’s Theatre Society run the site together, and it welcomes more than 650,000 visitors a year with timed entry every half hour.
Where is Ford’s Theatre in US?
Ford’s Theatre sits in downtown Washington, D.C., on 10th Street NW, about two blocks off the National Mall and one block off Pennsylvania Avenue. Most people know it as the place where John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. It is also a working playhouse with a full season of plays and musicals. The National Park Service protects the building as a National Historic Site, and the Ford’s Theatre Society runs the stage.
The site holds more than an auditorium. Guests tour a museum on the lower level, cross the street to the Petersen House where Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865, and read the Aftermath exhibits beside it. Every visitor needs a ticket, and the box office hands out same-day tickets from 8:30 a.m. The sections below give you the address, the timeline, the numbers and the 2026 calendar in one place.
Interesting Facts About Ford’s Theatre in 2026
MILESTONE YEARS (each block = 3 years after 1860)
1863 █ Opens as Ford’s New Theatre
1865 ██ Lincoln shot
1893 ███████████ Floors collapse
1933 ████████████████████████ National Park Service acquires site
1968 ████████████████████████████████████ Restored theatre reopens
2009 ██████████████████████████████████████████████████ Renovated theatre reopens
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 511 10th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004 |
| Original theatre opened | August 27, 1863 |
| Lincoln shot | April 14, 1865, about 10:15 p.m. |
| Lincoln died | April 15, 1865, at 7:22 a.m. |
| Restored theatre reopened | January 30, 1968 |
| Seating capacity | 665 |
| Owner and operator | National Park Service and Ford’s Theatre Society |
| Society visitor estimate | More than 650,000 a year |
| Advance ticket fee | $5 per ticket |
Source: National Park Service; Ford’s Theatre Society; Library of Congress.
The address, 511 10th Street NW, places Ford’s Theatre in the 20004 ZIP code in downtown Washington. The original playhouse opened on August 27, 1863, and Lincoln attended shows there at least 10 times as president. Booth shot him on April 14, 1865, at about 10:15 p.m. Lincoln died the next morning at 7:22 a.m. in the Petersen House across the street.
The restored theatre reopened on January 30, 1968, after more than a century without performances. It seats 665 people today. The National Park Service owns the building, and the Ford’s Theatre Society operates it. The Society reports more than 650,000 visitors a year. Reserving a ticket ahead adds a $5 fee, while same-day tickets at the box office cost nothing.
Where Is Ford’s Theatre Located in Washington DC in 2026?
WALK TIME TO FORD’S THEATRE (minutes)
Metro Center (11th and G exit) ███ 3
Gallery Place-Chinatown █████ 5
| Location Detail | 2026 Information |
|---|---|
| Street address | 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 |
| Cross streets | Between E and F Streets NW |
| Metro Center lines | Red, Blue, Orange and Silver |
| Gallery Place-Chinatown lines | Red, Yellow and Green |
| Walk from Metro Center | 3 minutes |
| Walk from Gallery Place | 5 minutes |
| On-site parking | None |
| Weekend garage rate | $22.70 flat |
Source: National Park Service; Ford’s Theatre Society.
The address is 511 10th Street NW, and the theatre sits between E and F Streets, one block from the FBI Building. Two Metro stations serve it. From Metro Center on the Red, Blue, Orange and Silver lines, the walk from the 11th and G Streets exit takes about 3 minutes. From Gallery Place-Chinatown on the Red, Yellow and Green lines, it takes about 5 minutes.
Ford’s Theatre has no parking lot of its own. The closest garage sits on 10th Street just south of F Street, with an elevator to the theatre lobby. It charges a weekend flat rate of $22.70, and the theatre does not validate it. Metered street spots are scarce. Riding Metro solves most of the trouble.
Ford’s Theatre History Timeline in 2026: From Church to National Historic Site
1893 COLLAPSE: PEOPLE AFFECTED (each block = 2 people)
Killed ███████████ 22
Injured ██████████████████████████████████ 68
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1833–34 | First Baptist Church built on the site |
| 1861 | John T. Ford leases the church for a music hall |
| March 19, 1862 | Ford’s Athenaeum opens |
| December 30, 1862 | Fire destroys the Athenaeum |
| August 27, 1863 | Ford’s New Theatre opens |
| 1865 | War Department takes control after the assassination |
| 1893 | Floors collapse: 22 dead, 68 injured |
| 1933 | National Park Service acquires the theatre |
| January 30, 1968 | Restored theatre reopens |
| February 12, 2009 | Renovated theatre reopens |
Source: National Park Service; National Parks Traveler; Google Arts & Culture.
The building began as the First Baptist Church, built in 1833–34. John T. Ford leased it in 1861 and turned it into a music hall. Ford’s Athenaeum opened on March 19, 1862. A faulty gas meter started a fire on December 30, 1862 that destroyed it. Ford rebuilt on a grander scale, and Ford’s New Theatre opened on August 27, 1863.
The War Department took control in 1865, and the government later split the building into offices. In 1893, a basement dig caused three floors to collapse, killing 22 people and injuring 68. The National Park Service acquired the site in 1933. Crews restored the theatre, and it reopened on January 30, 1968. A second renovation reopened it on February 12, 2009, the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.
Lincoln Assassination Timeline at Ford’s Theatre in 2026
FATE OF THE 8 TRIED CONSPIRATORS (people)
Hanged (July 7, 1865) ████ 4
Life sentences ███ 3
Six-year sentence █ 1
| Date and Time | What Happened |
|---|---|
| April 14, 1865, about 10:15 p.m. | Booth shoots Lincoln during Our American Cousin |
| April 14, 1865, night | Doctors carry Lincoln to the Petersen House |
| April 15, 1865, 7:22 a.m. | Lincoln dies |
| April 21, 1865 | Lincoln’s funeral train leaves Washington |
| April 26, 1865 | Federal troops kill Booth in Virginia |
| July 7, 1865 | Four conspirators are hanged |
Source: National Park Service; Library of Congress.
Lincoln attended Our American Cousin with his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, Major Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris. At about 10:15 p.m. on April 14, 1865, Booth entered the presidential box and shot Lincoln in the back of the head. Doctors carried Lincoln across the street to the Petersen House. He died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, about 9 hours later. His funeral train left Washington on April 21.
Booth ran for 12 days. Federal troops cornered him at the Garrett farm on April 26, 1865, and he died there. A military tribunal tried 8 conspirators. 4 were hanged on July 7, 1865: Lewis Powell, David Herold, George Atzerodt and Mary Surratt. 3 received life terms, and 1 received 6 years of hard labor.
Ford’s Theatre Museum, Petersen House and Tour Guide 2026
TIME NEEDED
Museum only ███ 30 minutes
Full site, low end ████████████ 120 minutes
Full site, high end ██████████████████ 180 minutes
| Site Component | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Museum | Self-guided, about 30 minutes, covering Lincoln’s presidency, the Civil War and the conspiracy |
| Artifacts | Booth’s Deringer pistol and the suit Lincoln wore |
| Theatre | Interior restored to its April 1865 look; the President’s Box interior stays closed |
| Petersen House | House where Lincoln died; the government bought it in 1896 |
| Aftermath Exhibits | The hunt for Booth, Lincoln’s funeral and his legacy |
| Full site visit | About 2 to 3 hours |
Source: Ford’s Theatre Society; National Park Service.
The museum sits under the theatre and takes about 30 minutes. It tells the story of Lincoln’s presidency, the Civil War and the plot against him. Its artifacts include Booth’s Deringer pistol and the suit Lincoln wore that night. Upstairs, the theatre interior matches its 1865 look. A ranger answers questions, and the interior of the President’s Box stays closed to protect it.
The Petersen House is where Lincoln died. The federal government bought it in 1896. The Aftermath Exhibits beside it follow the hunt for Booth, the funeral and Lincoln’s legacy. Budget 2 to 3 hours for the full site. Timed tickets do not always include the theatre on show days, so check your entry before you book.
Ford’s Theatre Visitor Numbers by Year in 2026
NPS RECREATION VISITS
1940 ███ 58,400
1950 ██████ 113,647
1960 ██████████████████ 357,500
1970 ███████████████████████ 459,600
2020 ███ 56,058
2025 ████████████████████ 393,700
| Year or Measure | Recreation Visits |
|---|---|
| 1940 | 58,400 |
| 1950 | 113,647 |
| 1960 | 357,500 |
| 1970 | 459,600 |
| 2020 | 56,058 |
| 2025 | 393,700 |
| Society annual estimate | More than 650,000 |
| All NPS sites, 2025 | 323,014,305 |
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics; Ford’s Theatre Society.
The National Park Service counted 58,400 recreation visits in 1940 and 113,647 in 1950. The count reached 357,500 in 1960 and 459,600 in 1970. The pandemic year 2020 fell to 56,058. The 2025 count stands at 393,700, close to the levels of the 1960s and 1970s.
The Ford’s Theatre Society uses a different yardstick and reports more than 650,000 visitors a year. Treat the NPS numbers as the official federal count and the Society figure as its own estimate. For scale, all NPS sites logged 323,014,305 visits in 2025. Rules for reaching federal buildings change often, as the report on White House press access shows, and Ford’s Theatre handles its crowds with timed entry.
Ford’s Theatre Tickets, Hours and Costs in 2026
TICKET AND ADD-ON COSTS (each block = $0.50)
Same-day ticket 0 $0
Advance reservation ██████████ $5
Group fee (20+) █████████ $4.50
Audio guide ██████████ $5
| Item | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Timed entry | Every half hour from 9 a.m. |
| Box office opens | 8:30 a.m. |
| Same-day ticket | $0, first come, first served |
| Advance fee | $5 per ticket |
| Group fee (20+) | $4.50 per ticket |
| Audio guide | $5 |
| Tickets on sale through | May 15, 2027 |
| Closed | Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day |
Source: Ford’s Theatre Society; National Park Service.
Timed entry runs every half hour from 9 a.m., and the box office opens at 8:30 a.m. Same-day tickets cost $0, but supply runs short. In the March to June rush, they often vanish by 9 a.m. Advance tickets are on sale through May 15, 2027. The site closes on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Reserving ahead adds a $5 fee per ticket, or $4.50 for groups of 20 or more. An audio guide costs $5. Public gatherings in Washington drew fresh security scrutiny after the April 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting. Ford’s Theatre keeps its own rules: no luggage or oversized bags, no storage on site, and bottled water only inside the exhibits.
Ford’s Theatre Events and 2026–27 Season Schedule
SEASON CALENDAR (SEP 2026 – MAY 2027)
Month S O N D J F M A M
Come From Away █ █ . . . . . . .
A Christmas Carol . . █ █ . . . . .
A First Look . . . . █ . . . .
Spelling Bee . . . . . . █ █ █
| Production | Dates | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Come From Away | Sept 10–Oct 18, 2026 | 1 hour 45 minutes; ages 10+; tickets $25–$65 |
| A Christmas Carol | Nov 19–Dec 31, 2026 | 2 hours with intermission; ages 5+ |
| A First Look | January 2027 | Free ticketed festival of new plays |
| The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | March 12–May 15, 2027 | Directed by Alan Paul |
Source: Ford’s Theatre Society; DC Theater Arts; Downtown DC BID.
The 2026–27 season opens with Come From Away, running September 10 to October 18, 2026. The musical lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, suits ages 10 and up, and tickets range from $25 to $65. A sensory-friendly show plays October 17. A Christmas Carol follows from November 19 to December 31, 2026. It runs 2 hours with an intermission and suits ages 5 and up. Its sensory-friendly show is November 22.
A First Look, a free ticketed festival of new plays, returns in January 2027. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs March 12 to May 15, 2027. The Society also offers History on Foot walking tours and One Destiny, a spring and early summer show with costumed actors. First previews of Come From Away and the Spelling Bee go to a free TodayTix lottery.
Washington DC Tourism Numbers Around Ford’s Theatre in 2026
DC VISITORS (each block = 1 million)
2019 █████████████████████████ 25.1M
2020 █████████████ 13.4M
2023 ██████████████████████████ 25.95M
2024 ███████████████████████████ 27.2M
2025 ███████████████████████████ 27.2M
| Year or Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| 2019 visitors | 25.1 million |
| 2020 visitors | 13.4 million |
| 2023 visitors | 25.95 million |
| 2024 visitors | 27.2 million |
| 2025 visitors | 27.2 million |
| 2025 international visitors | 2.1 million, down 4% |
| 2025 visitor spending | $11.9 billion |
| 2025 jobs supported | 114,013 |
Source: Destination DC; U.S. Department of Commerce.
Washington welcomed 27.2 million visitors in 2024 and again in 2025, the third straight record year. That tops 25.1 million in 2019. The pandemic cut the count to 13.4 million in 2020, and 2023 brought 25.95 million. Visitors spent a record $11.9 billion in 2025, and that spending supported 114,013 jobs.
International visitors numbered 2.1 million in 2025, down 4% from 2024. Nationally, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported a 5.5% drop in international arrivals, so the capital held up better than the country. The global travel recovery has been uneven, and Ford’s Theatre draws mostly from the 25.1 million domestic travelers who make up the bulk of the crowd.
Ford’s Theatre FAQs 2026
Where is Ford’s Theatre located in Washington, D.C.?
Ford’s Theatre is at 511 10th Street NW, between E and F Streets, about 3 minutes on foot from Metro Center.
Is Ford’s Theatre open in 2026?
Yes. The site opens daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, with timed entry every half hour from 9 a.m. Parts of the theatre close for rehearsals or performances.
Do you need a ticket to visit Ford’s Theatre?
Yes. Every visitor needs a ticket, at any age. Same-day tickets are free at the box office from 8:30 a.m.
How much does Ford’s Theatre cost in 2026?
Same-day site tickets are free, and an advance ticket adds a $5 fee. Come From Away tickets range from $25 to $65.
How long does a visit to Ford’s Theatre take?
Plan for 2 to 3 hours for the full site. The museum alone takes about 30 minutes.
Can you see the box where Lincoln was shot?
You can view the President’s Box from the balcony on a theatre walkthrough. The interior of the box stays closed to protect it.
Who owns Ford’s Theatre?
The National Park Service owns the building. The Ford’s Theatre Society, founded in 1967 by Frankie Hewitt, operates the stage.
What play was Lincoln watching at Ford’s Theatre?
He watched the comedy Our American Cousin on April 14, 1865.
Where did Lincoln die after the shooting?
He died in the Petersen House, across from Ford’s Theatre, at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865.
Is Ford’s Theatre still a working theater?
Yes. Come From Away runs through October 18, 2026, and A Christmas Carol opens November 19, 2026.
Which Metro station is closest to Ford’s Theatre?
Metro Center is closest at about 3 minutes. Gallery Place-Chinatown is about 5 minutes away.
Is there parking at Ford’s Theatre?
No lot exists on site. A garage on 10th Street has an elevator to the lobby and a weekend rate of $22.70.
When did Ford’s Theatre reopen after the assassination?
The restored theatre reopened on January 30, 1968, about 103 years after Lincoln was shot.
What happened to John Wilkes Booth?
Federal troops found Booth at the Garrett farm on April 26, 1865, 12 days after the shooting. A soldier shot him dead.
How many people visit Ford’s Theatre each year?
The Society reports more than 650,000 visitors a year. The National Park Service counted 393,700 recreation visits in 2025.
Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.