I spy Ford's Theatre

13th August 2013

A slower paced day today.

Anne took herself off to do some shopping so I went with the two Toms to visit some boys stuff. Mainly the International Spy Museum more of which in a moment.

Once again got the efficient Metro into the centre. As we walked towards the Spy Museum, Cousin Tom pointed out Ford’s Theatre where Lincoln was shot. I’d seen this on maps but had assumed it would be a case of a plaque on the wall of the building. But no, the theatre (and a house opposite where the dying Lincoln was taken) are owned by the National Parks Service.

So we went in and had a very interesting visit.

In the theatre itself one of the NPS rangers explained the events of the night of 14th April 1865. He really brought the story alive and it was strange to be seated in the Circle of the theatre looking across at the box, decked out as it would have been with flags and bunting.

In fact the theatre is a reconstruction as, following Lincoln’s death, the building fell into disuse before becoming government offices and government storage. It reopened as a historical site in 1968.
Across the street is the Peterson House. This was a boarding house at the time and Lincoln was taken here after he was shot as doctors felt he would not survive a carriage ride back to the White House. In the backroom of the house Lincoln died at 7.22am on 15th April 1865.

The NPS have set up an excellent museum next door to the Peterson House. And in the centre of the museum is a massive tower of books all written about Lincoln. Apparently there are over 15,000 books about him.

One slight jarring note. One display as you walk down the staircase past the tower of books shows people of influence since the time of Lincoln who were said to be inspired by him. These include Nelson Mandela, Churchill, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King. But amongst these is Charles DeGaulle. Really? Can’t think why he is thought to rank in the same league as those.

So on to the International Spy Museum. Tom and I had both read up about this and thought it sounded interesting. But it was very disappointing. It was trying to be a cool place for kids and at the same time informative. I’m not a kid so can’t speak authoritatively from that perspective, but it seemed to fail on both counts. Tom and I agreed the best part was included in a display on spying in the Civil War - An abridged version of Buster Keaton’s film The General.