Ford's Theatre interior

Ford's Theatre, site of the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on 14 April 1865.

Period image of Ford's Theatre, Washington, DC

Ford's Theatre interior

Ford's Theatre, site of the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on 14 April 1865.

Period image of Ford's Theatre, Washington, DC

John Wilkes Booth: Escape of Abe Lincoln's Assassin

Trace the escape route of John Wilkes Booth as he fled from Washington, DC after shooting President Abraham Lincoln.

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Robert E. Lee’s army of Northern Virginia had recently surrendered to Union forces, and the mending of America was just getting underway when John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC.

Day One: Lincoln’s Assassination at Ford’s Theatre

Ford’s Theatre

John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln here on 14 April 1865.  Booth, an actor, had previously performed in this theatre and leapt dramatically from the President’s box onto the stage after the shooting, breaking his leg.

Petersen’s Boarding House

Lincoln died here, across the street from Ford’s Theatre, while Booth fled on horseback.

Surratt House Museum

Inside Mrs. Mary Surratt’s tavern is where the assassination conspirators stored their supplies.

 

Day Two: Conspirators & Obstacles

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum

Dr. Mudd set Booth’s broken leg on 15 April 1865 and Booth spent the night here.

St. Mary’s Church and Cemetery

Booth and Dr. Mudd met here for the first time in November 1864, four months before Booth arrived at Mudd’s home with his injured leg. Dr. Mudd and family are buried in this cemetery.

Port Tobacco (Courthouse Museum)

This was the county seat during the Civil War and home to George Adzerodt, another assassination conspirator.

Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area

Booth and Herold had to circumvent this swamp, which is now a popular area for canoeists that is surrounded by bicycle trails.

 

Day Three: Surrender & Eventful End

Rich Hill

Booth and accomplice David Herold arrived at the home of Samuel Cox on 17 April 1865 and are taken to a nearby pine thicket, where they hide for several days, awaiting an opportunity to cross the Potomac River into Virginia.

Port Royal

Booth and Herold passed through this port town on their way to Garrett Farm.

Garrett Farm

Herold surrendered to U.S. Army troops on 26 April 1865, but Booth was shot, pulled from the burning barn and soon died on the porch of the nearby farmhouse.