Ford’s Theatre – Washington, DC
One of the most famous sites of 19th century American history, this theater was built in 1863 by John Ford. On the night of April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln during the performance of Our American Cousin. This was the last theatrical performance in the building until 1968. Lincoln was taken across the street to the Peterson House, where he was treated but died the next morning.
A year after the tragedy, the Federal government purchased the building and used it as office. Tragedy struck again in 1893 when part of the building collapsed, killing 22 federal employees. Today the theater and Peterson House are operated by the National Park Service to memorialize the death of President Lincoln.
During a guided tour a NPS ranger explains how the theater was reconstructed after going through various incarnations including an office building. None of the materials are original.
The infamous chair that Lincoln sat on is in the collection of The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.