Due to the government shutdown, the Ford’s Theatre Museum and Petersen House are closed. The Aftermath Exhibits, Atlantic Lobby and Penny Café and Gift Shop will remain open. More info.

Our professional development programs help educators learn how to use oratory and performance as strategies for teaching history. Our professional development programs help educators learn how to use oratory and performance as strategies for teaching history. Ford’s Theatre is dedicated to providing professional development to teachers. Our Education Department helps educators learn how to use oratory and performance in their classrooms as teaching strategies for public speaking and history. These programs provided experiential learning opportunities for teachers, enhancing their lessons. They also create a community of educators who are committed to teaching Lincoln’s legacy. It is not often that young people understand how much can be learned from those who came before us, but we did. We learned to mine the words of great leaders of our past so that we can be better and understand our present. We also learned that we can harness the power of our unique voices in order to create a better today and tomorrow. Paige Teleford The words of student orator Paige Teleford truly illustrate the power and impact our education programs have on students and teachers. Your donations allow us to continue to empower and support educators and directly impact the lives of students across the country.
Photo by Gary Erskine.

Rhetorical Triangle

Teach students to recognize and deploy the three key elements of persuasion.