Museum

Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site is currently closed for renovations.  Visit our Virtual Tour section of the Web site for a first person tour of both the building and the amazing artifacts collected and preserved by the National Park Service.  In this section, you will find a number of notable artifacts relating to the assassination of our 16^th President, Abraham Lincoln and the events surrounding his death.

The Derringer – this is the gun used by John Wilkes Booth to kill President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre.

Boot/Spur - As Booth jumped from the Presidential Box and landed on the stage at Ford’s Theatre, he caught his spur on the flag and broke a bone in his ankle.  The boot had to be cut off his leg in order to treat the injury.  This is John Wilkes Booth’s boot with the slice in the boot made by Dr. Mudd.

John Wilkes Booth Diary – This is the diary of assassin John Wilkes Booth kept in a date book and recovered after his 12 days on the run following the assassination of the president.

Knife – This knife was used by John Wilkes Booth to stab Major Rathbone before jumping out of the Presidential Box and onto the stage at Ford’s Theatre.

Wanted Poster – This wanted poster listing a reward for information or the capture of John Wilkes Booth is a symbol of what was at the time, the largest manhunt in American history.

Compass – This compass belonged to John Wilkes Booth and was found on his body after his capture.

Medical kit – This is the medical kit used by Dr. Mudd.