Washington, D.C.—The National Park Service and Ford’s Theatre Society will commemorate the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on April 14 and 15, 2010. Events include a wreath-laying ceremony, National Park Service’s interpretive talks, performances of the Society’s one-act play One Destiny, History on Foot walking tours chronicling the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy, and a discussion and book-signing event with author James Swanson. The Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site will be open to the general public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Petersen House (the house where Lincoln died) closes at 5:30 p.m.

Ford’s Theatre is also working with President Lincoln’s Cottage to develop an interactive quiz that will educate visitors about Lincoln and his legacy. The quiz will be available at Ford’s Theatre and President Lincoln’s Cottage from April 14 to April 26.

Tickets
Entry to Ford’s Theatre is free, but does require a ticket for all visitors ages two and older. A visit to the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site may include visiting the redesigned museum, experiencing an interpretive Park Ranger program, and visiting the Petersen House (the House Where Lincoln Died). Tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting fords.org. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367. A limited number of same-day tickets will be available at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Tickets to One Destiny
Performance tickets for One Destiny are $6.50 in advance or $5.00 the day of the performance. Tickets can be reserved through TicketMaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting fords.org. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367.

Tickets for History on Foot
Tickets for History on Foot walking tours are $12 for individuals and $10 for groups of 20 or more. Individual tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting fords.org. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010
8:30 a.m.
Box Office opens

9:00 a.m.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Ranger Program.

9:30 a.m.
Ranger-led interpretive talk
National Park Service rangers and volunteers will present an interpretive program about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

Petersen House opens.

10 a.m.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Entry

10:30 a.m.
Performance of One Destiny
Written by playwright Richard Hellesen, One Destiny tells the story of Lincoln’s last night through the voices of the men who worked in the theatre. This two-character play is set shortly after the Lincoln assassination at Ford’s Theatre. The play revisits the events of April 14, 1865, from the point of view of Harry Ford, one of three brothers who owned Ford’s Theatre, and the great comic actor Harry Hawk, who was performing on stage on the night of the assassination. The performance lasts approximately 30 minutes.

11:30 a.m.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Entry

Noon
Performance of One Destiny
Written by playwright Richard Hellesen, One Destiny tells the story of Lincoln’s last night through the voices of the men who worked in the theatre. This two-character play is set shortly after the Lincoln assassination at Ford’s Theatre. The play revisits the events of April 14, 1865, from the point of view of Harry Ford, one of three brothers who owned Ford’s Theatre, and the great comic actor Harry Hawk, who was performing on stage on the night of the assassination. The performance lasts approximately 30 minutes.

1 p.m.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Ranger Program.

1:30 p.m.
Ranger Program
A National Park Service ranger or volunteer will present an interpretive talk about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum

2 p.m.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Ranger Program.

2:30 p.m.
Ranger Program
National Park Service rangers and volunteers will present an interpretive program about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

3 p.m.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Ranger Program.
A National Park Service ranger or volunteer will present an interpretive talk about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum

4 p.m.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Entry.

4:30 p.m.
Reading with Historian James Swanson
James Swanson will read excerpts and lead a discussion about his New York Times bestseller Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer, a fascinating hour-by-hour account of the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth.

5 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Book Signing with Historian James Swanson
Author James Swanson will sign copies of his book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer in the lobby of Ford’s Theatre.

6:30 p.m.
History on Foot Walking Tour
Investigation: Detective McDevitt
written by Richard Hellesen; directed by Mark Ramont
Join Detective James McDevitt as he revisits and reexamines the sites and clues from the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy. Tour begins outside of the historic Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street NW) and continues through downtown Washington, D.C. Investigation: Detective McDevitt lasts approximately 2 hours and makes at least eight stops. The distance walked is approximately 1.4 miles from Ford’s Theatre to the White House. Wear comfortable shoes.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010
8:30 a.m.
Box Office opens

8:45 a.m.
National Park staff will lay a wreath at the Petersen House (the House where Lincoln died).
 
9:00 a.m.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Entry. Ticket includes entry to Theatre for Ranger Program.

9:30 a.m.
Ranger-led interpretive talk
A National Park Service ranger or volunteer will present an interpretive talk about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

10:15 a.m.
History on Foot Walking Tour
Investigation: Detective McDevitt
written by Richard Hellesen; directed by Mark Ramont
Join Detective James McDevitt as he revisits and reexamines the sites and clues from the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy. Tour begins outside of the historic Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street NW) and continues through downtown Washington, D.C. Investigation: Detective McDevitt lasts approximately 2 hours and makes at least eight stops. The distance walked is approximately 1.4 miles from Ford’s Theatre to the White House.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Theatre and Museum will be closed for matinee performance of Little Shop of Horrors. The Petersen House will be open during this time.

3:30 p.m.
Ranger-led interpretive talk
A National Park Service ranger or volunteer will present an interpretive talk about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Ticket does not include access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum

4 p.m.
Museum and Theatre walk-through only. No ranger program scheduled.

4:30 p.m.
Theatre walk-though only. No museum access.

6:30 p.m.
History on Foot Walking Tour
Investigation: Detective McDevitt
written by Richard Hellesen; directed by Mark Ramont
Join Detective James McDevitt as he revisits and reexamines the sites and clues from the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy. Tour begins outside of the historic Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street NW) and continues through downtown Washington, D.C. Investigation: Detective McDevitt lasts approximately 2 hours and makes at least eight stops. The distance walked is approximately 1.4 miles from Ford’s Theatre to the White House.

National Park Service and Ford’s Theatre Society Partnership
Since its reopening in 1968, more than a hundred years after the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site has been one of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital. Operated through a partnership with the National Park Service and the Ford’s Theatre Society, Ford’s Theatre has enthralled visitors because of its unique place in United States history, and its mission to celebrate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and explore the American experience through theatre and education. The National Park Service and Ford’s Theatre Society work together to present the Theatre’s nearly one million visitors each year with a high quality historical and cultural experience.

For more information on Ford’s Theatre and the Ford’s Theatre Society, please visit www.fords.org.

For information on the National Park Service and the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, please visit www.nps.gov/foth.