As you probably know by now, I’m part of a monthly blog circle with about 15 other photographers from around the world. We each take 30 minutes out of our month to document something unique. Most photograph their kids/families or communities; I prefer to choose a quirky tourist site (which I can breeze through in about a half an hour) wherever I find myself that month, as I travel quite often for work and fun. Please feel free to visit our group’s website here! And don’t forget to click on the next photographer’s link at the end of this post!
——————————————————–
This month I found myself in Washington, DC for a few days, and I decided to visit Ford’s Theatre & The Peterson House — the site where President Lincoln was assassinated and then died in 1865. I vaguely remember touring this site when I was in DC for my 8th grade class trip, but I’m pretty sure I was probably paying more attention to the cute boy I had a crush on than the historic site 😉
I started out in the basement of the theatre where they had some educational information, as well as the actual gun that John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln with. Then I went upstairs to the theatre where a Ranger gave a great little speech about the theatre, why Booth decided to murder the president, and how he *almost* got away with it. (Did you know he didn’t have Secret Service agents at the entrance to his balcony suite? That’s how Booth snuck right up behind him. Crazy).
My ticket was also good for touring the Peterson House across the street — a boarding house two doctors from the audience carried President Lincoln so he could die in peace, in a bed and not on the floor of the theatre. They cleverly planned the exit from this house through their large gift shop, which I quickly bypassed, however was amazed with their awesome 4 story circular staircase surrounding a literal tower of every book ever written about Lincoln. Pretty impressive!
Psst! Now that you’ve finished exploring Ford’s Theatre and The Peterson House, go check out the next photographer in our group’s take on the “30 minutes” project! She’s a wonderful photographer all the way from Naples, Italy: Amanda Voelker
I love this – I really enjoy history so I am thinking this may be a place I would like to visit. But oh my gosh, that book tower is like my idea of heaven. That is incredible. I love your pictures this month. Thank you for sharing a new place to visit.
Looks like a really great place to visit. I’m pretty close to DC and I am going to have to add this spot to my “go to” locations next time I visit DC. I LOVE the staircase! I can’t believe that many books were written about Lincoln! I really liked how you told the story in the beginning, it definitely drew me in to looking forward to the pictures to come.
the book shot is amazing…my husband would love this place.
I am close to DC also! What beautiful historic images! I love the book shot. Very cool.
Colleen, Love your unique posts every month and your appreciation for history and culture shown in them. I always feel like I’ve walked through the museum for a bit with you after I see them. Great shots! xo
Wow…what rich history. Kind of crazy to think you can be in the same room where Lincoln died. Really enjoyed this tour!