The author’s husband, Hal Marzell, in Ford’s Theatre, standing before the balcony where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865

I’m sure that many teachers would agree that one of the best methods of experiential learning is travel. And one of the most rewarding destinations for travel is Washington, DC, our nation’s capital city. There are many worthwhile museums and historical sites to visit in the city, and one of the most interesting is Ford’s Theatre.

Students of history will recall that Ford’s Theatre is the scene of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. Lincoln was there watching a performance of the play Our American Cousin, when the actor John Wilkes Booth slipped into the president’s box, aimed his gun, and fired. Booth was a Confederate sympathizer, and was incensed at the surrender of the Confederacy just a few days before. The assassin then leaped from the box down to the stage and escaped through a rear door. The mortally wounded president was carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he died the following morning.

Today, both the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site and the Petersen House are part of the National Park Service. More than 650,000 visitors visit the site each year. Located within, students can view the Presidential Box where the assassination occurred, restored to the way it was on that fateful night. Visitors can also explore museum exhibits that depict Lincoln’s presidency, Civil War milestones, the events that led up to the assassination, and the aftermath. Students can also take at look at significant historic artifacts, including the pistol used to kill the president, the clothes he was wearing on the night he was assassinated, and Lincoln’s life masks.

Students and teachers who are unable to travel to Washington, DC, could learn more about this important historical site by examining the Ford’s Theatre website. You could also examine the Ford’s Theatre virtual tour. There are also some terrific resources for teachers available on the website.

Whether you visit Ford’s Theatre in person or online, I bid you happy learning!

Most educators agree that travel is one of the best methods of experiential learning. And one of the most rewarding destinations for travel for both American students and international travelers is our nation’s capital city, Washington, DC. There are many worthwhile museums and historical sites to visit in the city, but the most famous is undoubtedly the White House. This historic structure serves as both the residence and the office of the President of the United States.

On our recent trip to Washington, Dc, my husband and I were fortunate enough to take a tour of the White House. While there, we were able to view many of the beautiful rooms of this historic museum house. On the bottom floor, we toured the Garden Room, the East Colonnade, and the Family Theater. We also saw the Vermeil room, the China Room, and the Library. One floor up, we were allowed to stroll through the appropriately named Green Room, Blue Room, and Red Room. In addition, we got a look at the State Dining Room. Then we viewed the stately Entrance Hall, and finally we exited the house through the famous North Portico.

I would definitely recommend the effort required for educators and students to visit this historic mansion. As you might guess, a visit to the White House requires a good deal of advance planning. A request for a public tour must be submitted through your Congressman. Make the request up to three months ahead, but no less than three weeks prior, to your visit to Washington, DC. Tours are self-guided, and are usually available Tuesday through Saturday, except on Federal holidays. Public tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. A limited number of spaces are available, so don’t wait too long! Be prepared for security checks prior to your admission to the building. Like most museums in the capital city, admission is free.

If you and your students are unable to travel to Washington, DC, you can take an unofficial virtual tour of the White House by clicking on the You Tube video below. Either way, happy touring!