LINCOLN'S ASSASSINATION TOURS: 

AMERICA'S DARK DAY

Where

Meet us in the middle of Lafayette Square at the statue of Andrew Jackson. The square is located on the North side of the White House at approximately 1600 H St. NW. 

Duration 

Our walking tour lasts approximately 2 hours. 

Price 

There is no fixed price. Our informative guides work on a tips-only basis, which guarantees a high quality experience. 

Metro Station

The closest metro station is McPherson Square on the Orange/Blue/Silver line. Metro's Trip Planner website will help you navigate your ride.  

Reservations

Reservations are required. Groups of 10 or more must schedule private tours.   

WHAT SIGHTS WILL YOU ENCOUNTER ON OUR TOUR?

NATIONAL THEATER 

The Grover's National Theatre invited the Lincolns to a performance of Aladdin on Thursday, April 14, 1865. The Lincolns decided to attend Ford Theater’s performance of Our American Cousin instead. 

FORD'S THEATER

Behold the theater where on April 14, 1865 Booth, a well-known actor, carried out the assassination of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Booth slipped into the box to fire a shot into the back of Lincoln’s head and leapt onto the stage to shout, “Sic semper tyrannis!” which means “Thus ever to tyrants!”

BAPTIST ALLEY

The alley behind Ford’s Theater was a part of Booth’s escape route. After leaping onto the stage, Booth exited the building from a small stage door, mounted his horse and galloped away down the alley.

PETERSON BOARDING HOUSE

After the shot, multiple soldiers carried Lincoln to a house across the street and placed him on a bed. After Lincoln was pronounced dead, the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton pronounced, “Now he belongs to the ages.” 

WHITE HOUSE 

After his death, the president was placed in a coffin, draped with a flag and escorted by armed cavalry to the White House. A public viewing in the White House and Capitol was followed by a 13-day train journey to his home in Illinois. 

LAFAYETTE SQUARE

Lewis Powell invaded the now demolished Rodgers House in Lafayette Square and repeatedly stabbed Secretary of State William Seward in the face. Seward survived the attack. 

VICE PRESIDENT JOHNSON'S HOTEL

The site of the now demolished hotel is where the attempted assassination of Vice President Johnson by George Atzerodt occurred.

STAR SALOON

Before the performance, Booth invited several of Ford's employees out for a drink at the Star Saloon. Afterwards, he practiced the route to the theater that he would use in the assassination. 

U.S. TREASURY BUILDING 

After the assassination of Lincoln, the Treasury provided a temporary office used by President Andrew Johnson. 

Tours For Humanity             P.O. Box 681, Arlington, VA 22216             Tel: (202) 780-4544