Field Trips
Plan a historic site visit to learn about the events of April 14, 1865, and the lasting impact of Lincoln’s assassination on our nation.
During a field trip to Ford’s Theatre, students can
- Tour the historic theatre and museum
- See the box where President Lincoln was shot
- Illuminate personal stories of many individuals in and around Civil War Washington
- Reveal the fate of the assassination conspirators, and the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth
- Explore Lincoln’s complex legacy
Free Field Trip Program
To qualify for the Free Field Trip Program, your school must be a:
- D.C. Public School, D.C. Chartered Public School; or
- D.C., Maryland and Virginia Title 1 school or school with 40% or more student eligible for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs); or
- Title 1 school or school with 40% or more students eligible for FARMS outside the D.C. metro area
To receive free bus transportation, schools must:
- Be eligible for free group tickets (see above) and
- Be located within the 495 Capital Beltway
Lincoln’s Garden Field Trip
Available to request on Wednesdays in September, October, December and January.
Lincoln’s Garden is a modified field trip to the historic site offering a 40 minute guided tour of the museum theatre, directly followed by a 40 minute craft activity. This field trip is appropriate for grades K-2 and for special education classes that may benefit from an interactive, hands-on craft activity as an alternative to a traditional tour experience.
President Lincoln once said, “I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”
Students consider a selection of character traits President Lincoln embodied during his life: he was kind; a good listener; loved to learn; a good helper; brave. They are invited to select and craft a character trait in the form of paper flowers. They’ll then plant these flowers in a class flowerpot, which you will take back to school.
Don’t Qualify for the Free Field Trip Program? Discounted tickets are available through Group Sales.
Visit Ford’s Virtually
Request a live, interactive Virtual Field Trip to bring Ford’s Theatre’s many stories into your classroom wherever you are.
School Field Trip
Things to Do
Explore These Topics
Explore Museum
In our museum, explore exhibits about the Civil War and Lincoln’s presidency. View artifacts from the assassination conspiracy.
Historic Theatre
Inside the historic theatre, see the President’s Box and learn about the night of the assassination.
Petersen House
In the Petersen House, learn about who surrounded Lincoln during his final hours.
Aftermath Exhibits
In the Aftermath Exhibits, you can see how the nation mourned Lincoln, follow the hunt for John Wilkes Booth and discover the lasting impact of Lincoln’s legacy.
Before You Visit Resources
Teacher Dialogic Toolkit
Resource
This toolkit is intended to be used by teachers to get their students thinking and talking about some of the things they will see at Ford’s.
Virtual Tour
Take an interactive virtual tour of Ford’s Theatre to explore exhibitions about the Lincoln assassination conspirators, the historic theatre and the Petersen House.
Student Led Museum Tour
The Ford’s Theatre Museum combines a remarkable collection of historic artifacts with a variety of exhibits to tell the story of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. Explore Lincoln’s Presidential cabinet, what life was like in the Lincoln White House, the road to emancipation, and the assassination conspiracy.
Video Series with a Historian
Follow Dr. Matthew Pinsker, Professor at Dickinson College, in this nine-part video series as he shows you around the museum, theatre, Petersen House and Aftermath Exhibits. Learn more about the events of April 14, 1865, to prepare for your trip.
Teaching Lincoln’s Assassination and Legacy
Lesson Plans
Explore the life, leadership, death and legacy of Abraham Lincoln through primary sources and ready to use lesson plans developed by our education department and master teachers.
Historic Site Visit Guidelines
We are implementing the following measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.