Chapter 3. Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre seen from along 10th St NW. Taken at ISO 3200, f/4 1/40 second with a 50mm lens.
Why It's Worth a Photograph
Originally known as Ford's Athenaeum, this theater in downtown Washington, D.C., is remembered for a singular tragic event — the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor and staunch supporter of slavery and the Confederacy, shot President Lincoln in the back of his head during a play at Ford's Theatre. President Lincoln died the next morning at 7 a.m. in the Petersen House across the street.
The Petersen House is preserved and furnished with artifacts from the time. It's a small, narrow space where you can see the home's parlor, living area, and the room in which President Lincoln died.
Figure 3.1. The best locations from which to photograph Ford's Theatre: (A) interior of Ford's Theatre, (B) exterior of Ford's Theatre on 10th St. NW, and (C) interior of Petersen House. Nearby photo ops: (10) National Archives, (11) National Mall, (14) Old Post Office, (27) Washington Monument, and (28) White House and President's Park.
Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
You can get great photos of Ford's Theatre both inside and out. For capturing images of the room where Lincoln died, visit Petersen House across ...
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