01/01/2009 - 12/31/2009

Tours of President Lincoln’s Cottage explore Lincoln’s country home and work place where he spent a quarter of his presidency. “Historical voices” and images illuminate the compelling stories of Lincoln as a father, husband and commander-in-chief. The words of Lincoln’s contemporaries bring the struggle of wartime decisions to life. Daily 10am - 4pm (Mon-Sat.) & 12pm - 4pm (Sun.) Metrorail: Georgia Ave-Petworth, Metrobus: H8, 60

President Lincoln’s Cottage
Upshur Street at Rock Creek Church Road, NW
Washington, DC
202-829-0436
http://www.lincolncottage.org

01/24/2009 - 04/15/2009

Washington National Cathedral abounds with symbols and stories in its sculpture, stained glass and needlework relating to faith, American history, and personalities. As we celebrate the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, join an experienced docent to discover references to Abraham Lincoln, his time, his values and his faith through the Cathedral’s art. Lincoln’s great knowledge of the Bible influenced his rhetoric and approach to governing. Discover this lesser known aspect of Lincoln and his presidency in the majestic space of the Cathedral. Saturday, January 24, 1:30 pm; Wednesday, February 11, 2:30 pm; Wednesday, April 15, 2:30 pm Metrorail: Tenleytown-AU, Metrobus: 31, 32, 36, 37, 96, X3

Washington National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
202-537-6200
http://www.nationalcathedral.org

02/01/2009 - 04/30/2009

A Monday night speakers series celebrating Abraham Lincoln. Begins in February and continues throughout the Bicentennial celebration season Metrorail: Metro Center, Metrobus: D1, D3, D6

Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com

02/01/2009 - 02/01/2011

A two person play about the events surrounding the assassination of President Lincoln. 11:15am and 1:15pm Metrorail: Metro Center, Metrobus: D1, D3, D6

Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com

02/03/2009 - 03/08/2009

Written by James Still, Directed by Stephen Rayne. A commissioned play that explores the innermost reaches of Lincoln’s mind as he struggles with the loss of his son and the decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation Metrorail: Metro Center, Metrobus: D1, D3, D6

Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com

02/11/2009

Invitation only.

Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com

02/12/2009

Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com

02/12/2009 - 05/09/2009
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

The Library of Congress will mount the national Lincoln bicentennial exhibition, with a focus on the man and his words. Companions include an online exhibit, the book “In Lincoln’s Hand,” teacher institutes and materials, and a March 14 symposium. On its opening day, Thursday Feb. 12th, hours are 5pm-9pm. Normal visitor hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, recommence the following day on Feb. 13. Metrorail: Capitol South, Metrobus: A11, N22, 96

Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave Se
Washington, DC

02/13/2009 - 05/31/2009

This new, original exhibition created by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington explores Jewish life in the Washington area during the Civil War. The exhibition will look at the ways in which local Jews interacted with President Lincoln and the myriad of ways they contributed to the war effort. JHSGW has created specialized lesson plans for teachers and will offer guided tours for students and adults. Dr. Melvin Urofsky, author of numerous history books detailing 19th century history, will speak at the exhibition Metrorail: Tenleytown-AU, Metrobus: N3, N4, N6, N8

Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
3539 Macomb Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-789-0900
http://www.jhsgw.org

02/13/2009

This new, original exhibition created by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington explores Jewish life in the Washington area during the Civil War. The exhibition will look at the ways in which local Jews interacted with President Lincoln and the myriad of ways they contributed to the war effort. JHSGW has created specialized lesson plans for teachers and will offer guided tours for students and adults. Dr. Melvin Urofsky, author of numerous history books detailing 19th century history, will speak at the exhibition 32 Bus NW Wisconsin Ave & NW Macomb Street stop

Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
3539 Macomb Street, NW
Washington, DC
(202) 789-0900
http://www.jhsgw.org

02/18/2009
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

***DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR FEB. 25 AT 2PM*** A one-hour guided tour of the U.S. Navy Museum and Washington Navy Yard highlighting Lincoln’s unique relationship with the U.S. Navy. This tour will take place both inside and outside, please dress appropriately. Metro: Navy Yard & Eastern Market

National Museum of the United States Navy
736 Sicard Street, SE, Washington Navy Yard
Washington, DC
202-433-6897
http://www.history.navy.mil

03/01/2009

Investigation: Detective James McDevitt (Begins March - ongoing). A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckley (Begins May - ongoing) Metro: Metro Center - 11th St

Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com

03/08/2009
8:00 AM to 6:30 PM

Following the Union victory at Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862, President Lincoln issued his preliminary emancipation proclamation, announcing that if the Confederacy was still in rebellion, slaves in designated areas of the country would hence forward and forever be free. Mr. Lincoln traveled to Harpers Ferry and Antietam to visit the Army of the Potomac during the first week of October. Many of the sights of Lincoln’s time remain at both Antietam and Harpers Ferry. You can see them and learn about them on this full-day study tour with historian Ed Bearss. At Harpers Ferry, visit Camp Hill (where both Union and Confederate forces encamped), locations associated with John Brown’s Raid, and museums that interpret these critical days in our history. At Antietam, go to Grove Farm, where Lincoln and McClellan met and discussed the nation and the army’s future. Visit sites where Lincoln viewed the troops, assessed the political and military situation, and reflected on what his preliminary emancipation proclamation portended. Lunch is included at the Cliffside Inn in Harpers Ferry. Resident Members $117; Gen. Admission $163 Metro: Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Associates
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW #3077
Washington, DC
202-633-3030
http://www.smithsonianassociates.org

03/27/2009 - 05/25/2009

The voices of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass resonate throughout this moving song cycle, richly portraying both the famous and lesser known persons so deeply affected by the Civil War. Music by Frank Wildhorn. Book and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn, Gregory Boyd and Jack Murphy. Directed by Jack Calhoun. Metrorail: Metrocenter, Metrobus: D1, D3, D6

Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-638-2941
http://www.fords.com

03/29/2009
8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

This full-day program with Civil War historian Ed Bearss during the bicentennial year of Lincoln’s birth lets you walk in the footsteps of the Great Emancipator during his hours in Gettysburg on Nov. 19, 1863. The newly opened Gettysburg Military Park Museum and Visitors Center describes Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg and his immortal address. Of the 12 galleries in the new museum, 11 are based on phrases from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and organized to help visitors understand the museum’s themes. The restored David Wills house, scheduled to open Feb. 19, is where he spent the night of Nov. 18, 1863, and edited his speech. In addition to the sights of Gettysburg, the tour visits the restored railroad depot where he boarded the train. Before day’s end, sit in Gettysburg Presbyterian Church - where on the afternoon of the 19th, Lincoln talked briefly with John Burns, a local Civil War hero – and stand in Evergreen Cemetery (right next to National Cemetery), where he addressed the crowd. Lunch is included at the Farnsworth House Inn, parts of which date to before the Civil War. Resident Members $125; Gen. Admission $171 Metro: Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Associates
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW #3077
Washington, DC
202-633-3030
http://www.smithsonianassociates.org

04/11/2009 - 04/26/2009

One hundred forty-three years after President Lincoln was assassinated, take a walk that commemorates one of the saddest moments in American history. From the White House, where Lincoln gave his last speech, to the posh Lafayette Square homes of the army major who struggled with the assassin and the secretary of state who was stabbed by a co-conspirator, the walk continues to the replica of the church where Lincoln worshiped. Other notable sites include those where Lincoln stayed as president-elect, where his son watched a theater performance the night of the murder, and where Vice President Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the new chief executive. The route continues to the front of Ford’s Theatre, where the young assassin struck, and the boarding house where the revered 16th president died; it stops in front of “the nest where the egg was hatched,” the brick boarding house in today’s Chinatown where conspirators plotted the crime of the century. Author Anthony S. Pitch leads this two-hour anecdotal history walk based on his book, They Have Killed Papa Dead! The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, to be published this month. All tours are two hours long and meet at the Andrew Jackson equestrian statue in the center of Lafayette Square, 16th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Sat., April 11 at 10am and 1pm; Sun., April 26 at 10am and 1pm Resident Members $23; Gen. Admission $31 All tours are the same; register for only one.

The Smithsonian Associates
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW #3077
Washington, DC
202-633-3030
http://www.smithsonianassociates.org

04/18/2009
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Tracing President Lincoln’s last day with stories from his valet, secretary, physicians who treated him, the bartender who served drinks to Booth before the assassination, and the trial of the conspirators. Metro: Potomac Ave or Stadium Armory

Historic Congressional Cemetary
1801 E Street, SE
Washington, DC
202-543-0539
http://www.congressionalcemetery.org/

04/19/2009
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Join historian Ed Bearss on a closer look at Lincoln through a full-day exploration of the city and its environs. Many of the sites, located near Lafayette Square and the White House, are brought to life on a morning walking tour lasting close to 3 hours. Following an included lunch, visit the Navy Yard, where Lincoln came to know and appreciate Admiral John Dahlgren, the commandant there. Travel to the Lincoln Cottage on the grounds of the Soldiers’ Home, where the Lincolns spent the hot months of July through October during three of the wartime years. At the battle at Fort Stevens (now part of Rock Creek Park), the President came under hostile fire and Mary Lincoln fainted at the sight of blood on his clothes and his narrow escape. At the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, see the pew where Lincoln sat on a regular basis. Our last stop is at Ford’s Theatre, which has been recently renovated. 8 am to 8 pm by bus from the southeast corner of the Air and Space Museum, 4th St. & Independence Ave., S.W. Resident Members $128; Gen. Admission $174 Metro: Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Associates
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW #3077
Washington, DC
202-633-3030
http://www.smithsonianassociates.org

05/15/2009 - 06/07/2009
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Fleeing Ford’s Theatre on the night of April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth traveled through Maryland into Virginia, where, a few days later, he was found, shot, and died of his wounds. Civil War authority Ed Bearss retraces Booth’s escape route and reveals the personalities and intrigues surrounding the assassination. Stops include Ford’s Theatre; the house near Clinton, Maryland, whose owner was hanged for her involvement in the plot; and the house of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who set Booth’s broken leg. Enjoy a seafood lunch at Captain Billy’s Crab House at Pope’s Creek Landing, near where Booth and conspirator David Edgar Herold crossed the Potomac. In Virginia, visit sites where they contacted local sympathizers and where Booth was captured and died. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by bus from the southeast corner of the Air and Space Museum, 4th St. & Independence Ave., S.W. Fri., May 15 and Sun., Jun. 7 Resident Members $123; Gen. Admission $169 Metro: Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Associates
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW #3077
Washington, DC
202-633-3030
http://www.smithsonianassociates.org

06/07/2009
8:00 PM

This new, original exhibition created by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington explores Jewish life in the Washington area during the Civil War. The exhibition will look at the ways in which local Jews interacted with President Lincoln and the myriad of ways they contributed to the war effort. Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer will give a presentation as part of the opening program. Metro: Judiciary Square Metro

Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
701 4th Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC
202-789-0900
http://www.jhsgw.org

09/11/2009

This new, original exhibition created by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington explores Jewish life in the Washington area during the Civil War. The exhibition will look at the ways in which local Jews interacted with President Lincoln and the myriad ways they contributed to the war effort. Metro: Dash Bus 2 Seminary Rd & Ft. Williams Pkwy stop

Beth El Hebrew Congregation
3830 Seminary Road
Alexandria
202-789-0900
http://www.jhsgw.org