Ford's Theater Society Commemorates Lincoln's Assassination 4/14

The National Park Service and Ford's Theatre Society will commemorate the assassination date of Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 2009, with a 9:00 a.m. wreath-laying and special programming throughout the day, including a discussion and book-signing with Anthony Pitch, (author of "They Have Killed Papa Dead!"), Ranger-led living history presentations and interpretive talks, and performances of the Society's one-act play "One Destiny." The theatre and Petersen House (the house where Lincoln died) will be open to the general public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Entry to Ford's Theatre is free, but does require a ticket for all visitors ages two and older. Tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting fords.org. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367. A limited number of same-day tickets will be available at the Ford's Theatre Box Office beginning at 8:30 a.m. Final entry to the theatre is 4:15 p.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009

8:30 a.m.

Box Office opens

9:00 a.m.

Wreath-laying by the National Park Service in front of the historic Ford's Theatre

9:15 a.m, and 10:00 a.m. Ranger-led interpretive talk

National Park Service Rangers will present an interpretive talk about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Performance of "One Destiny"

Written by playwright Richard Hellesen, "One Destiny" tells the story of Lincoln's last night through the voices of the men who worked in the theatre. This two-character play is set shortly after the Lincoln assassination at Ford's Theatre. The play revisits the events of April 14, 1865, from the point of view of Harry Ford, one of three brothers who owned Ford's Theatre, and the great comic actor Harry Hawk, who was performing on stage on the night of the assassination. The performance lasts approximately 45 minutes.

2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Ranger-led living history program

National Park Service Rangers in period dress will present living history programs about the American Civil War and the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

4:00 p.m.

Author Anthony Pitch discusses "They Have Killed Papa Dead!"

Author Anthony Pitch will lead a 30-minute discussion about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and his new book "They Have Killed Papa Dead!" The program concludes with an audience question-and-answer session. Pitch will sign copies of his book in the Ford's Theatre lobby from 5-6:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Book signing with Anthony Pitch

Author Anthony Pitch will sign copies of his book "They Have Killed Papa Dead!" in the lobby of Ford's Theatre.

Since its reopening in 1968, more than a hundred years after the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site has been one of the most visited sites in the nation's capital. Operated through a partnership with the Ford's Theatre Society and the National Park Service, Ford's Theatre has enthralled visitors because of its unique place in United States history, and its mission to celebrate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and explore the American experience through theatre and education.

Ford's Theatre Society works to present the Theatre's nearly one million visitors each year with a high quality historical and cultural experience, enhancing the vibrancy of this historic site, an important tool for promoting the ideals of leadership, humanity and wisdom espoused by Abraham Lincoln.

For more information on Ford's Theatre and the Ford's Theatre Society, please visit www.fords.org.

For information on the National Park Service and the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, please visit www.nps.gov/foth.