Ford's Theatre Announces History on Foot Tours for Fall 2009

Ford's Theatre Society announced the fall 2009 schedule for its popular History on Foot walking tours, which are guided by actors playing characters from Civil War Washington. The tours begin outside of the historic Ford's Theatre and continue through downtown Washington, D.C. In May 2009, the Ford's Theatre Society premiered the new walking tour A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckly written by Ford's Theatre Artistic Programming Advisor Jennifer L. Nelson. The walking tour Investigation: Detective McDevitt, which premiered in 2008, restarted in March 2009. Beginning September 12, 2009, the Ford's Theatre Society will offer both walking tours on Saturday mornings through October.

Funding for the Elizabeth Keckly tours is provided in part by the Humanities Council of Washington, D.C.

A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckly written by Jennifer L. Nelson

Join Elizabeth Keckly, free black woman and confidante to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, as she tells the story of her friendship with the Lincoln family and of her efforts to help former slaves find their way in newly free Washington City. This tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and the distance walked is about 1.5 miles. Tours are offered at 11:15 a.m. on the following Saturdays: September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17 and 24. Tickets for September and October dates are on sale beginning July 27, 2009.

Investigation: Detective McDevitt written by Richard Hellesen

Join Detective James McDevitt as he revisits and reexamines the sites and clues from the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy. This tour lasts approximately 2 hours and makes at least eight stops. The distance walked is approximately 1.4 miles from Ford's Theatre to the White House. Tours are offered at 10:15 a.m. on the following Saturdays: September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17 and 24. Tickets for September and October dates are on sale beginning July 27, 2009.

Ford's Theatre Society partners with the National Museum of Crime & Punishment for a special October 31st promotion. Patrons can take a McDevitt walking tour on Saturday, October 31, at 10:15 a.m., followed by an exploration the history of crime in America through an interactive, entertaining and educational experience at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment. Tickets are only $22 and include the McDevitt walking tour and access to the National Museum of Crime & Punishment. Tickets go on sale July 27. Tickets to the National Museum of Crime & Punishment, purchased in conjunction with the walking tour, are valid for up to seven days after the tour.

Tickets

Tickets for History on Foot are $12 for individuals and $10 for groups of 20 or more. Once tickets go on sale, individual tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting www.fords.org. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367.

Ford's Theatre Society

Since it reopened its doors in 1968, more than a hundred years after the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford's Theatre has been one of the most visited sites in the nation's capital. 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. For its accomplishments, the organization was honored in 2008 with the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given by the U.S. government to artists, arts institutions and arts patrons.

Ford's Theatre reopened in February 2009 after an 18-month renovation. The Ford's Theatre Museum reopened in July 2009. The renovations are part of The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign, a $50+ million capital campaign that supports the renovation of the theatre and museum as well as the building of the new Center for Education and Leadership, an education center focused on the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

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.

Since the arrival of Paul R. Tetreault as Director, Ford's Theatre Society has been recognized by the critics and theatergoing public for the superior quality of its artistic programming. With works from the nationally acclaimed Big River to the regional premiere of Trying and world premiere of Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre has undoubtedly begun to make its mark on the American theatre landscape.

In addition, through the leadership of Wayne R. Reynolds, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the mission of Ford's Theatre Society has recently been expanded to include education as a central pillar of the organization, equal to that of producing theatre of the highest quality. As Ford's Theatre looks to the future, the health of the organization will be defined and determined not only by the quality of the productions on the stage but also by the success of its educational programming in teaching about the life, Presidency and lessons of leadership of Abraham Lincoln.

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