Petersen House
516 10th St. NW, Washington DC, Washington DC, USA, 20004
The Petersen House was the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s death after assassin John Wilkes Booth shot him on April 14, 1865. A simple three-room boarding house, it’s located right across the street from Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was attacked. Today, the house is a museum administered by the National Park Service.
The basics
Until President Lincoln’s assassination, the Petersen House was a humble, family-run boarding house. But on the night of the incident, Lincoln was carried from Ford’s Theatre across the street to a back bedroom in the Petersen House. He passed away on the morning of April 15, forever inscribing the address in that tragic chapter of American history. Today, the building—part of the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site—features 1865-era artifacts and furnishings (including the pillow where Lincoln died), while on-site exhibition spaces chronicle the fallout from the president’s death and Lincoln’s legacy.
The Petersen House can be visited with Ford’s Theatre (joint tickets entitle visitors to access both sites). It can also be viewed during history-themed walking tours and self-guided audio tours.
Things to know before you go
- It’s recommended to book tickets to the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site online in advance of your visit; limited walk-up tickets are available.
- Owing to its historic architecture, only limited sections of the Petersen House are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The adjacent Ford’s Theatre Center for Education & Leadership provides access to the Petersen House and also contains a gift shop.
How to get there
The Petersen House is located at 516 10th Street NW, in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington DC. It is just minutes from several DC Metro stations, including Metro Center (served by the Blue, Orange, Red, and Silver lines) and Gallery-Pl Chinatown (served by the Green, Red, and Yellow lines). Numerous bus lines also frequent the area.
When to get there
The Petersen House is open daily, from morning until early evening, except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. While Petersen House is typically accessible, note that some areas of the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site—primarily the venue itself—can be closed for performances and other events. It’s advised to reserve entry in advance to avoid disappointment.
Ford’s Theatre
Located right across the street, Ford’s Theatre is an essential companion stop to the Petersen House. After a period of restoration, it reopened in 2009. Today, visitors can explore the various levels of the theater, discover artifacts, and learn more about its history in the Ford's Theatre Museum.
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