Petersen House, at 516 10th St NW in Washington, DC, is the boarding house where Abraham Lincoln died after being shot at Ford’s Theatre across the street. The restored rooms include the bedroom where he spent his final hours, with a replica of the bed. You can also see rooms associated with Mary Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, then follow the exhibits on the assassination and its aftermath. A four-story tower of books about Lincoln is a striking feature of the connected museum.
The house across from Ford’s Theatre
Petersen House is a 19th-century brick row house at 516 10th Street NW, across from Ford’s Theatre. Built around 1849, it served as a residence and boarding house. After Lincoln was shot at the theatre on the evening of April 14, 1865, he was carried across the street and taken into the house. He died there the following morning.
The building is now part of Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site. A visit connects the events at the theatre with the hours that followed inside the boarding house. The rooms are arranged to give a sense of the house’s role that night, rather than to present it as a large museum of objects.
Rooms tied to the night of Lincoln’s death
Three rooms on the main floor give the visit its focus. The front room is associated with Mary Lincoln, who spent the night grieving. Edwin Stanton, then secretary of war, temporarily led the federal government from the middle room. In the small rear bedroom, Lincoln lay unconscious until his death; a replica of the bed helps visitors understand the room’s central place in the story.
The house was full that night, which made it difficult to find space for the wounded president. The displays and room arrangement bring that practical detail into view alongside the larger national events. Some display areas may have few objects, so the rooms are best understood through their historical context and the accompanying interpretation.
The connected museum
The museum linked to the house adds context about the assassination and its aftermath. It is a useful extension of a visit to Ford’s Theatre, particularly if you want to follow the story beyond the shooting and see how events unfolded in the hours after Lincoln was brought across the street.
One distinctive feature is a tower of books about Abraham Lincoln that runs through several floors toward the gift shop. The house tour is brief compared with time spent in the museum, so allow about an hour for the museum if you want to explore its material at a measured pace.
Planning access
Petersen House is visited in connection with Ford’s Theatre, directly across the street. Check your ticket details and time slot before you go, since access to the house may need to be included in the booking. Tickets are picked up at the theatre’s box office, according to the visit information provided.
The house has onsite services and a wheelchair-accessible entrance. The visit is largely self-guided, with staff briefly involved at points during entry. Families can visit, and advance ticket planning is recommended.
FAQ
Where is Petersen House?
It is at 516 10th Street NW in Washington, DC, across the street from Ford’s Theatre.
What happened at Petersen House?
Abraham Lincoln was brought to the boarding house after being shot at Ford’s Theatre. He died there the following morning.
Does a Ford’s Theatre ticket include Petersen House?
Check the ticket details and time slot to confirm that access to Petersen House is included.
How much time should I allow?
Allow about an hour for the connected museum, plus time to see the house.
