abraham lincoln tour washington dc

Abraham Lincoln's Washington

Abraham Lincoln walking tour

Although downtown Washington, D.C. has retained little of its Civil War-era character, if you know where to look, the events of Abraham Lincoln ’s time in the city come to life, whether you are looking at a modern office building or a Victorian row house.

This walking tour steps back into Lincoln's time as U.S. president.

Washington, D.C. in Abraham Lincoln's day

The busy streets filled with Washingtonians going about their business and slow-moving, congested traffic are not that different today than they would have been in the 1860s, when the president himself strolled the city except that 21st-century Washingtonians benefit from sidewalks upon which to tread and paved thoroughfares on which to drive. In Lincoln’s day it would have been a muddy slog!

Not just another assasination tour

However you make your way, the climax of Lincoln’s Washington story was tragic: he was the first American leader to be assassinated just as the U.S. Civil War concluded. Honor his legacy during this walk that includes sites such as:

• St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square
• the site of the home of Lincoln's secretary of state, William H. Seward
• the White House
• New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
• Ford's Theatre

Reviews of our Abraham Lincoln-themed walking tour

"The guide was very knowledgeable and had some very interesting tidbits." — Goldstar reviewer

More Washington, D.C. walking tours you might like: The White House and Lafayette Park and Hamilton's D.C.

DAVID  traces his love of history to having grown up next to Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a recreated mid-19th century living history village on Long Island. He moved to the D.C. area in 2003 following a stint as a park ranger at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York City.

Available for private tour bookings. Email [email protected] for more information.

Available to book privately.  Please email us for a private tour quote.

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Perfect Private Abraham Lincoln Tour of Washington DC

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• Please be outside and waiting 30 minutes before the start of your tour unless there is inclement weather or otherwise instructed by a member of the Perfect Private Tours staff.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Lincoln Memorial Stop: 20 minutes See details
• 2 Ford's Theatre Stop: 2 hours See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• 554barryh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The best tour (and tour guide) in DC! Christopher was an amazing tour guide and was a wealth of knowledge on the history of DC. The additional details he shared about the stories and symbolism around the monuments we visited were fascinating. If you want a truly in depth tour of the city you must do this night-time option. I would highly recommend this service! Read more Written April 21, 2024
• S5369QRsandym 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A winning tour Christopher was a gracious and extremely informative guide for the evening. We had as much time at each memorial as we wanted. He made sure we saw the Vietnam Women’s Memorial since we just finished reading The Women by Kristin Hannah. Christopher has lived in DC all this life. He knows the city and history. I would definitely recommend this tour. I like the intimate small group format. It’s not a bus load of people and memorial drive by. Read more Written April 21, 2024
• stephaniedO315ZA 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Night tour Christopher was not only friendly but also highly knowledgeable. He personally made sure our family got the most out of our excursion. His tour packed a punch - we made it to numerous monuments in less than 3 hours. And his conversation was informative and personable. This was one of our trip highlights! Read more Written April 13, 2024
• Lozano310 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Do this tour We took this tour during our 4 days in DC. We took our two kids (6 and 8) and rode around with Nick. I highly recommend this tour if you are trying to hit as many spots as possible with a short amount of time. We got to all the major monuments and Nick had so many facts/knowledge about every thing we went to. He knew all the buildings and back stories of everything. I'm not exaggerating! This guy knew his history and made it fun and easy to understand for the kids. It was just us in the SUV so we did not have to deal with annoying people in a tour and Nick knew all the backstreets, shortcuts, and parking spots to get in-and-out avoiding the lines and traffic. This tour is worth the money and the customer service we recieved from Nick and Chris (owner) were above and beyond. Read more Written April 1, 2024
• GoPlaces26169 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Must-Do for your D.C. Visit What a wonderful evening seeing the sights of D.C. at night! Christopher is an amazing guide, and my husband, 10 yr old daughter, and I all had a great time. Seeing the monuments with a knowledgable, fun, and engaging personal guide is a tough experience to beat. This truly is the PERFECT private night tour, and it is an absolute MUST DO for your visit to our nation's capital. Read more Written March 25, 2024
• C9355SGwaynek 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Monument tour Great night. Christopher did a great job. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. Best money we spent seeing monuments in DC. Read more Written March 12, 2024
• Kacie B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect way for family to see the sights! Christopher was amazing! I can’t believe how much we saw and learned in 1 night! Our boys are 9 & 11 and they said to give him 10 stars! The monuments at night are truly spectacular. He did a great job giving us a lot of information, moving along so we never felt bored or rushed, answering silly questions from my little one, all while entertaining my history-buff husband. Should win an award for all the roles he played! Read more Written March 5, 2024
• jonathanfN6822TC 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect for a family Amazing tour customized and well narrated…this is the way to see DC at night….all the best monuments and memorials could not ask for more Read more Written February 26, 2024
• Cathy W B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Lives up to its name! We took a night tour with our guide, Christopher. We had two of our grandchildren with us. We accidentally left our booster seat. When I contacted Christopher, he went out of his way to make sure my grandchild had what he needed. This guide was amazing! His knowledge of DC was incredible. He took us to everything we wanted to see and gave us some tips on what to do during the rest of our vacation. Some guides take you to a spot and drop you off to walk on your own. Christopher made sure our steps were well lit, and he walked with us at every stop, pointing our amazing facts. My grandchildren had a wonderful time. Everything was perfect and I highly recommend this tour. Read more Written February 22, 2024
• 838susanq 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Washington DC monument night tour Great tour. Christopher was , knowledgeable, professional and fun. Touring the monuments at night is just beautiful and not having to wait for others on the bus tour is great. Read more Written February 16, 2024
• mayfieldhalls 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun, Affordable, & Educational Chris was awesome. At one point I asked him a random question just to see if he knew the answer. He did. He didn't rush us (even my extra minutes for some time lapse photography). Do this tour. It was fun, affordable and educational. Chris even helped us with our plans for the next day. Read more Written February 11, 2024
• miriammQ7802SW 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing night tour, amazing tour guide My friends and I had the best time on our tour tonight. DC has a different vibe at night, and it's hauntingly beautiful. Our ride was quite comfortable, the monuments and other sights were incomparable, and Christopher was professional, knowledgeable, personable, and very kind. We learned cool facts and shared laughter and great conversation. I recommend his tours without hesitation. Read more Written February 8, 2024
• Dream800876 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Astonishing! Astonishing and educational. So glad we arranged this tour for our family. Christopher told us inside historical stories of the people and places that really brought it to life! Read more Written February 3, 2024
• Curiosity18091978378 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A++ DC Tour This was such a wonderful trip. Christopher has so much knowledge, a great personality, and politeness. He's fab! Read more Written January 12, 2024
• 274loriw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Tour! We are a family of four. We had plenty of room in the large SUV on this private tour! Christopher was very knowledgeable. He passed on lots of information in a very entertaining way. We all really enjoyed the tour with him! So glad we booked with him! Read more Written December 30, 2023

More to explore in Washington DC

Perfect Private Abraham Lincoln Tour of Washington DC provided by Perfect Private Tours and Transportation

• Ford’s Shop

Ford’s Theatre explores the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and celebrates the American experience through theatre and education.

In April 14, 1865, Lincoln and his wife decided to visit the theatre to see the comedy  Our American Cousin . John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, snuck into the President’s Box and shot Lincoln with a single-shot Deringer pistol. Booth fled into the night, and Lincoln died the next morning in the Petersen House, a boarding house located just across the street from the theatre. 

Historic Site

Visit Ford’s Theatre and step back in time. While at our historic site, you will learn about the events of April 14, 1865, and the lasting impact of Lincoln’s assassination on our nation. We are a popular Washington, D.C., tourist destination and welcome more than 650,000 visitors a year.

Explore exhibits on Lincoln’s presidency, Civil War milestones and the assassination conspiracy led by John Wilkes Booth.

Go inside the historic theatre and learn about the night of the assassination.

Peterson House

See the house where President Lincoln died and learn about the people who gathered around him that fateful night.

Aftermath Exhibits

Learn about the hunt for John Wilkes Booth, follow Lincoln’s funeral train and witness a nation in mourning.

Group Visits to the Historic Site

Bring your group of 20 or more to visit Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.

Plan Your Visit

Information to help you plan your visit.

Site Activities

History on Foot

A walking tour that brings history to life!

On the night of April 14, 1865, Detective James McDevitt was on duty at the Washington Metropolitan Police headquarters, a half-block from Ford’s Theatre.

One Destiny

A one-act play about the Lincoln assassination

Learn about President Lincoln’s assassination from two men who were there. Actor Harry Hawk and Ford’s Theatre co-owner Harry Ford revisit the events of April 14, 1865. 

• What to Expect
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About President Lincoln’s Cottage

Welcome to the home for brave ideas. President Lincoln’s Cottage is a historic site and museum situated on a beautiful campus in Northwest Washington, D.C. Opened to the public in 2008, we bring President Lincoln’s nation-changing story to life through innovative guided tours, engaging exhibits, and interactive programs. Learn more about our history, mission, and impact.

Our Mission

President lincoln’s cottage works to preserve this place to connect people to the true spirit of the lincolns, build empathy, and inspire them to act upon their own ideas for social justice., our history.

For more than a quarter of his presidency, Abraham Lincoln lived at what we now call President Lincoln’s Cottage. Here he made some of his most critical decisions about freedom, the Union, and the presidency. Lincoln’s experiences at the Cottage provided him and those he influenced with new and diverse perspectives on issues of freedom, justice, and humility. Learn more about the site’s unique history.

The Cottage was built as a private home for banker George W. Riggs.

Riggs sold the Cottage and surrounding estate to the Federal Government for the purpose of building a home for veteran soldiers.  The funds to procure the property were war booty set aside by General Winfield Scott.

The Soldiers’ Home Board of Commissioners invited President Buchanan to summer on the grounds (research suggests he lived in Quarters 1, a house adjacent to the Cottage).

Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th President of the United States of America.

Abraham and Mary Lincoln each visit the Soldiers’ Home a few days after Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration. Mary Lincoln writes to a friend that they anticipate relocating from the Executive Mansion to the Soldier’s Home in the coming weeks.

The Lincolns relocate their family to the Cottage for their first season in residence; President Lincoln began drafting and later issued the Preliminary  Emancipation Proclamation that summer. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton also stayed on the grounds.

The Lincoln family once again relocated to the Cottage for the hot season, staying until the end of October, just a few weeks prior to Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address.

President Lincoln and his family move to the Soldiers’ Home on July 4, 1864.  Later that summer, they were evacuated to the Executive Mansion, which was deemed safer, when nearby Fort Stevens came under Confederate attack. Abraham Lincoln wins reelection.

Abraham Lincoln visited the Soldiers’ Home for the last time on April 13, 1865, the day before he was shot by John Wilkes Booth.  He died on April 15th. Mary Lincoln would later write to a friend about how dearly she loved the Soldiers’ Home and how far removed from it she felt.

Presidents Hayes and Arthur spent portions of their presidencies in residence at the Cottage.

The Cottage is named Anderson Cottage in honor of one of the founding forces behind the Soldiers’ Home, Major Robert Anderson.

1900s-1990s

The Cottage was also used as an infirmary, a dormitory for the Soldiers’ Home band, the first dormitory for women veterans and more. Anna Harrison Chase, a formerly enslaved woman who escaped to DC after the DC Emancipation Act, visited the Cottage in her old age to see where Lincoln developed the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Cottage, Quarters 1, Quarters 2, and Sherman Building (formerly Scott Building) are declared a National Historic Landmark in recognition of the national significance of the site. The property was not open to the general public.

President William J. Clinton declared the Cottage and 2.3 acres of surrounding landscape the President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home National Monument. The cottage is renamed President Lincoln’s Cottage.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation undertook an eight-year, $15 million capital project to preserve President Lincoln’s Cottage, restore the landscape, and sustainably rehabilitate (LEED Gold) a nearly 100-year old Beaux-Arts style building adjacent to the Cottage to serve as the  Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center museum and event space.

President Lincoln’s Cottage opened to the public on President’s Day.

On January 1st, President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home became an independent 501(c)(3), assuming governance and operations through cooperative agreements with the non-profit National Trust for Historic Preservation and federal Armed Forces Retirement Home.

A Home for Brave Ideas

We don’t just educate — we inspire. While living here, Lincoln made nation-changing decisions about the Union, freedom, and the presidency, most notably when he developed the Emancipation Proclamation. Each day, we’re reminded of President Lincoln’s legacy and the many individuals and communities who challenged him and influenced his thinking. We believe the world still needs a Home for Brave Ideas. Our commitment is to be that place.

More About President Lincoln’s Cottage

President Lincoln’s Cottage is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity, and is the only National Monument in the country that does not receive federal operating support. The site is designated a National Monument, a National Historic Landmark, and a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As a private organization, this national treasure would not be preserved and available to the public without the ongoing support of our generous patrons. 

By the Numbers

cottage visitors since 2008

awards won, including a Presidential Medal

invested in caring for the historic buildings and landscape

countries tune in to our Q&Abe Podcast

students and 7,800+ teachers served since 2010

miles traveled by Students Opposing Slavery program members since 2013

Lincoln’s Cottage is DC’s best kept secret.

The visit to Lincoln’s Cottage changed my thinking about the way that important decisions were made by our 16th president.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Lincoln’s Cottage on two occasions and in doing so, the man became human to me instead of a distant, unknowable icon.

Anyone interested in American history should visit this site.

The story you tell is so important.

The history learned from just one visit could make up for a whole semester of classes.

There is a sacredness to this place that transcends time, religion, and politics. It is both humble in its appointments and mighty in its history.

June 15th - June 19th

Lincoln's toughest decisions: a juneteenth edition, april 21, 2024, tombs and tomes book festival 2024, preservation month behind-the-scenes experience, saturday, march 16 - saturday, june 8, music class with mr. rob, february 23, commemoration of black history month with carlos walker, experience president lincoln’s legacy for yourself. learn more about our tours, programs, and exhibits, and get your tickets today..

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Get Involved

President Lincoln’s Cottage is a 501(c)(3) historic site and museum located in Northwest Washington, D.C. We provide interactive tours and exhibits, and host public and private events using Lincoln’s example to inspire visitors in their own path to greatness. Join us in learning and sharing brave ideas.

Sunday-Saturday 

9:30am – 4:30pm

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140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW, Washington, DC 20011

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3 Days Following President Lincoln's Footsteps in Washington, DC

Explore president abraham lincoln’s washington, dc with this itinerary, including where he stayed before moving into the white house, how he spent his final days and much more..

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Day 1: From the Lincoln Memorial to Ford's Theatre

@abpanphoto

Start your day at the  Lincoln Memorial . Lincoln’s statue gazes out across Memorial Bridge to  Arlington National Cemetery , which was home to Robert E. Lee’s former estate. Hop into a cab to visit  President Lincoln’s Cottage . Lincoln spent his summers here in 1862, 1863 and 1864, and drafted the parts of the Emancipation Proclamation there.

Have a late lunch in bustling  Penn Quarter , then explore the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery . The 16th president celebrated his second inaugural ball in the grand space known as the Lincoln Gallery. The Portrait Gallery’s collection of presidential portraits includes the last photograph taken of Lincoln.

From there, it’s a quick walk to  Ford’s Theatre . The underground museum illustrates the events leading up to Lincoln’s assassination. Catch an evening performance of an American classic.

Day 2: Continue in the 16th President's Footsteps

National Museum of American History

Take in the treasures at the  National Museum of American History , including Lincoln’s top hat. Civil War buffs can also spy the chairs that Grant and Lee sat in during the surrender at Appomattox.

Pause for a photo outside the White House, then have lunch at the  Willard InterContinental , where Lincoln stayed before moving into the White House in 1861. There’s a copy of his bill on display in the hotel’s history gallery.

Willard InterContinental Washington

Pay a visit to New York Avenue Presbyterian Church , just two blocks away; it's where Lincoln worshipped. Emulate Lincoln’s love for Shakespeare with an evening production at the  Shakespeare Theatre Company  or  Folger Shakespeare Theatre .

Day 3: Capitol Hill & More

BKL via Flickr

Begin your day at the National Museum of Health & Medicine , which houses a fascinating collection of artifacts, including the bullet that took Lincoln’s life and fragments from his skull.

From there, head to Fort Stephens. Part of the fort system erected to defend Washington, DC, it was the site of the only battle to take place within the District, where Lincoln was famously under fire.

Spend the afternoon on  Capitol Hill . Explore the fascinating collections of Civil War photographs at the  Library of Congress , then unwind in Lincoln Park  - it’s home to the original memorial to Lincoln, paid for by newly freed slaves.

Looking for more ideas for your visit to Washington, DC? Explore  even more adventures and itineraries  here.

Virtual Tour of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site

By Lincoln Home National Historic Site, National Park Service

Lincoln Home Exterior with Osborn Oldroyd out Front. Original Source: http://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/liho/exb/memorabilia/8317-LiHo-with-Oldroyd.html

On behalf of the National Park Service, welcome to Lincoln Home National Historic Site. After living the first twenty-eight years of his life in small log cabins, Mr. Lincoln moved to Springfield, IL to become an attorney in 1837. Within a few years, Mr. Lincoln became very successful and was able to purchase his own home on the corner of Eight and Jackson Streets in Springfield. He initially spent $1,500.00 on the home, but he would eventually remodel it several times adding to its cost.

His home appears today as it did in 1860 and stands as a solid symbol of the American Dream that Mr. Lincoln achieved. It is also a reminder of the dreams that he wanted to ensure the rest of America could achieve regardless of the color of our skin, whether we are male or female, or what country we come from.

Front Parlor The Formal Parlors were the fancy and expensive side of the home used mostly to entertain guests. Mr. Lincoln received many important visitors in this room. It was in the formal parlors on May 19, 1860 that Mr. Lincoln was given the formal offer by the Republican National Committee to be their party’s candidate for President in the coming election. Four days later, Mr. Lincoln accepted their nomination by letter, so his journey to Washington D.C. began in this room.

Rear Parlor After growing up in a one-room log cabin, Abraham Lincoln may have never dreamed that someday he would own a home where two rooms, the Front and Rear Parlor, were reserved just for guests and entertainment. The Lincoln boys were generally not allowed in the formal parlors because they may have caused too many problems with the expensive furnishings. They could, however, go to the other side of the home, the Sitting Room, which was where family and close friends would come together.

Dining Room Originally what is now the Dining Room and kitchen was one large kitchen. The dividing wall was added to reflect Mr. Lincoln’s status as a rising politician and successful attorney, because Mrs. Lincoln felt that a proper Victorian home should have separate rooms for separate purposes. She also insisted that the family gather for meals together in the dining room where the boys could practice their manners. Mrs. Lincoln enjoyed entertaining and also hosted formal dinners in this room for family and friends.

The Sitting Room The Sitting Room was the side of the home where the family could gather. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln enjoyed reading poetry and literature aloud while the boys would often play games such as chess or checkers. The Lincoln boys might have overheard their parents discussing current issues such as slavery and Mr. Lincoln’s place in politics.

As more and more guests came to visit Mr. Lincoln as the new President-Elect, they did not always fit in the formal parlor and began to gather in the family side also. The downstairs was a very public area in the home, while the upstairs would remain more private. In an effort to seek a little privacy, the family could go to their bedrooms.

At the top of the stairs is a small foyer where Mrs. Lincoln could sew or read by the front window. To the left is the Lincoln’s guestroom and to the right is Mr. Lincoln’s side of the Master Suite.

Guest Room By the mid 1850’s the Lincoln’s were fortunate enough to have a room just for the guests to be comfortable in for long periods of time such as weeks or even months. The oldest son, Robert, would often sleep in the Guest Room when he visited home from prep school, and later, college.

Mr. Lincoln's Bedroom When the Lincoln’s remodeled their home the final time in 1856, they were prosperous enough to afford a bedroom suite, separate bedrooms for Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, which was the common practice for affluent couples in those times. After living in small cabins for most of his life, Mr. Lincoln probably enjoyed the luxury having individual bedrooms rather than sharing one with the whole family.

Mr. Lincoln's Bedroom Mr. Lincoln’s Bedroom could be used not just for sleeping, but also as a place to work on speeches and letters on the desk that is in the room. It is even possible that his “House Divided” speech was written on that desk.

Mrs. Lincoln's Bedroom Having private bedrooms also allowed Mr. Lincoln to stay up late and catch up on his work. A separate bedroom allowed Mrs. Lincoln to have the privacy that a lady needed for dressing and washing. The two youngest boys sleeping in a trundle shared Mrs. Lincoln’s Bedroom with her until the oldest son, Robert, left for prep school. Then Willie and Tad moved into his room across the hall.

Boys' Room This is the Boys’ Room. In 1860, the oldest son, Robert, was studying at Harvard. Just before his fourth birthday in 1850, the second son, Edward, had died from Tuberculosis. The two younger boys, Willie and Tad, were nine and seven and sharing this room when their dad was elected President. Willie and Tad were able to experience their father’s American Dream also. After the presidential election, they took a train all the way to Washington D.C. to live in the White House as the President’s children.

Boys' Room Unfortunately, Willie died in the White House less than a year after they moved in from symptoms of Typhoid Fever. Tad was 12 when Mr. Lincoln was assassinated, but when he was 18, he died in Chicago from pneumonia. Robert lived a very successful life and in 1926 he died a week before his 83rd birthday.

Hired Girl's Room The Hired Girl, who slept in this room, would have been a busy teenage girl. She was responsible for cleaning the house, helping with the cooking, and keeping an eye on the boys. It was not uncommon for a household of this stature to have 2 or 3 female servants to do the daily tasks required in maintaining a home, so the hired girl was very helpful to Mrs. Lincoln.

Hired Girl's Room Having a hired girl freed the Lincoln boys from doing chores like their father had when he was a boy. This gave them the opportunity for a better education and, as Mr. Lincoln would have said, it allowed the boys to be boys.

Kitchen Mrs. Lincoln grew up in a wealthy household in Kentucky where most everything had been done for her. She had to learn how to cook when she married Mr. Lincoln, but she became very good at it. Mary spent a great deal of time in the Kitchen preparing meals for the family. It may seem like a very small kitchen, but it is only slightly smaller than the entire log cabin that Mr. Lincoln was born in.

Mr. Lincoln probably reflected on the rise in life that he had achieved from a small one room log cabin to this fine upper-middle class home. He was proud of the success he had with his limited opportunities and hard work. As a politician, he knew others had even fewer opportunities than he did simply because of the color of their skin. He was determined to see America become a place where everyone could have an equal opportunity to improve their economic and social conditions if they wanted to work as hard as he had.

Abraham Lincoln and the 1860 Election

Lincoln home national historic site, national park service, free soil and free men: abraham lincoln's 1860 campaign, making a house a home: an inside look at abraham lincoln's home, the lincolns' interests.

Lincoln’s Whistle-Stop Trip to Washington

On the way to his inauguration, President-elect Lincoln met many of his supporters and narrowly avoided an assassination attempt

Brian Wolly

Digital Editorial Director

In February, 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln traveled from Springfield to Washington, visiting his supporters and finding his voice on his way to taking the oath of office on March 4.

TRANSCRIPT BELOW:

Monday, February 11, 1861

• Lincoln Home At approximately 7:30 a.m., President-elect Abraham Lincoln leaves for the railway station without his wife, who will join him later.

• Springfield Train Station As Lincoln boards the train at Springfield's Great Western Railroad depot, he says to the crowd, “To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything... I now leave.. with a task before me greater than that which rested upon [George] Washington.”

• Decatur Train Depot

• Tolono Train Station

• Vermilion Country Train Depot

• State Line City, Indiana

• Lafayette, Indiana After being joined by a committee of Indiana politicians in State Line City, Lincoln speaks before a crowd in Lafayette, “While some of us may differ in political opinions, still we are all united in one feeling for the Union. We all believe in the maintenance of the Union, of every star and every stripe of the glorious flag, and permit me to express the sentiment that upon the union of the States, there shall be between us no difference. “

• Thorntown, Indiana

• Lebanon, Indiana

• Zionsville, Indiana

• Indianapolis, Indiana Lincoln arrives at 5 p.m., welcomed by Gov. Oliver Morton and a 34-gun salute. He joins a procession of 20,000 state legislators, public employees, soldiers, firemen and others. For the first time in his journey, he temporarily loses his copies of his Inaugural address. With Mrs. Lincoln alongside him, he boards the train en route to Cincinnati at 11 a.m. the following morning.

Tuesday, February 12, 1861

• Shelbyville, Indiana

• Greensburg, Indiana

• Morris, Indiana

• Lawrenceburg, Indiana

• Cincinnati, Ohio At a public reception held by the German Industrial Association, Lincoln says, “I deem it my duty...that I should wait until the last moment, for a development of the present national difficulties before I express myself decidedly what course I shall pursue.” His reluctance to make definitive public statements on the secession crisis was an ongoing theme in his remarks on this journey. Escorted by members of the Ohio legislature, Lincoln departed on the Little Miami Railroad at 9 a.m. the following morning.

Wednesday, February 13, 1861

• Milford, Ohio

• Miamiville, Ohio

• Loveland, Ohio

• Morrow, Ohio

• Corwin, Ohio

• Xenia, Ohio

• London, Ohio

• Columbus, Ohio A crowd of 60,000 greets Lincoln in Columbus, where he speaks to the public from the steps of the state capitol, but his address is curiously out of touch with reality. “It is a consoling circumstance that when we look out there is nothing that really hurts anybody, Lincoln says. We entertain different views upon political questions, but nobody is suffering anything.” He leaves shortly before 8 a.m. the next morning on a rainy day to Pittsburgh.

Thursday, February 14, 1861

• Newark, Ohio

• Frazeysburg, Ohio

• Dresden, Ohio

• Coshocton, Ohio

• Newcomerstown, Ohio

• Uhrichsville, Ohio

• Cadiz Junction, Ohio

• Steubenville, Ohio

• Wellsville, Ohio

• Rochester, Pennsylvania

• Allegheny City, Pennsylvania On the trip to Pittsburgh, Lincoln is delayed two hours because of a broken-down freight train. He arrives in Allegheny City (now part of Pittsburgh) at 8 p.m. and takes a carriage across the river into the steel city.

• Monongahela House, Pittsburgh Lincoln is awestruck by the size and strength of the crowds greeting him on the streets of Pittsburgh. He says in the lobby of the Monongahela House, “I could not help thinking, my friends, as I traveled in the rain through your crowded streets, on my way here, that if all that people were in favor of the Union, it can certainly be in no great danger -- it will be preserved.”

Friday, February 15, 1861

• Alliance, Ohio His remarks in Alliance have a familiar ring, “I appear before you merely to greet you and say farewell... If I should make a speech at every town, I would not get to Washington until some time after the inauguration.” At other towns, he apologizes to the crowd for his hoarse voice. In Wellsville, he declines to make a speech as he had already done so when he stopped on his way to Pittsburgh.

• Ravenna, Ohio

• Hudson, Ohio

• Weddell House, Cleveland Amidst a snow storm, Lincoln arrives in Cleveland to another large crowd. In spite of his farewell comments in Springfield, he once again appears to underestimate the severity of the situation, telling the adulatory group, “The crisis, as it is called, is altogether an artificial crisis.” For the second time, Lincoln's inaugural address is thought to have been lost by Robert Lincoln. He departs town at 9 a.m. the following morning

Saturday, February 16, 1861

• Willoughby, Ohio

• Painesville, Ohio

• Madison, Ohio

• Geneva, Ohio

• Ashtabula, Ohio The crowds in Ashtabula call for Mrs. Lincoln to make an appearance from the train car, but the President-elect replies that he “should hardly hope to induce her to appear, as he had always found it very difficult to make her do what she did not want to.”

• Conneaut, Ohio

• Girard, Pennsylvania

• Erie, Pennsylvania

• North East, Pennsylvania

• Westfield, New York Legend meets lore when the now bearded Lincoln meets 12-year-old Grace Bedell, the young girl who “advised him to let [his] whiskers grow.” “Acting partly upon her suggestion, I have done so,” Lincoln said in Westfield. “And now, if she is here, I would like to see her.”

As a contemporary newspaper report said, the two meet and “he gives her several hearty kisses ... amid the yells of delight from the excited crowd.”

• Dunkirk, New York

• Silver Creek, New York

• Buffalo, New York Lincoln is greeted by former president Millard Fillmore and 10,000 supporters. He spends the night at the American House and observes the Sabbath the next day with Fillmore at a local Unitarian church. He leaves Buffalo at 5:45 in the morning on Monday, February 18 with newspaper man Horace Greeley onboard.

Monday, February 18, 1861

• Batavia, New York

• Rochester, New York

• Clyde, New York

• Syracuse, New York

• Utica, New York

• Little Falls, New York

• Fonda, New York

• Amsterdam, New York

• Schenectady, New York

• Albany, New York In spite of an enthusiastic welcome in the state capital, Mr and Mrs. Lincoln resolve never to return to Albany, as their trip was marred by political bickering between state legislators.

Tuesday, February 19, 1861

• Troy, New York

• Hudson, New York

• Rhinebeck, New York

• Poughkeepsie, New York

• Fishkill, New York

• Peekskill, New York

• Hudson River Railroad Company, New York City “I shall not easily forget the first time I ever saw Abraham Lincoln... From the top of an omnibus (driven up on side, close by, and blocked by the curbstone and the crowds) I had, I say, a capital view of it all and especially of Mr. Lincoln: his looks and gait; his perfect composure and coolness; his unusual and uncouth height; his dress of complete black, stovepipe hat pushed back on his head; dark-brown complexion; seamed and wrinkled yet canny-looking face; black, bush head of hair; disproportionately long neck; and his hands held behind, as he stood observing the people.” -- Walt Whitman

• Astor House, New York City An estimated 250,000 people watch Lincoln's 11-car procession to the Astor House, where me meets with William Cullen Bryant, editor of the New York Evening Post.

Wednesday, February 20, 1861

• Academy of Music, New York City Earlier in the day, Mrs. Lincoln and her children visit P.T. Barnum's museum. That evening, President-elect Lincoln heads to the Academy of Music to take in a new Verdi opera. After the first act, the entire audience and cast sings “The Star Spangled Banner” in honor of the special guest.

• City Hall, New York City Before leaving for City Hall, Lincoln meets with Joshua Dewey, 94, who voted in every presidential election since George Washington's. At City Hall, he tells Mayor Fernando Wood and the city council, “There is nothing that can ever bring me willingly to consent to the destruction of this Union.”

• Astor House

Thursday, February 21, 1861

• Cortland St. Ferry

• Jersey City, New Jersey

• Newark, New Jersey

• Elizabeth, New Jersey

• Rahway, New Jersey

• New Brunswick, New Jersey

• New Jersey State House, Trenton “This body is composed of a majority of gentlemen who, in the exercise of their best judgment in the choice of a Chief Magistrate, did not think I was the man... Nevertheless...they came forward here to greet me as the constitutional President of the United States ... the representative man of the nation, united by a purpose to perpetuate the Union and liberties of the people.” -- Abraham Lincoln

• Bristol, Pennsylvania

• Kensington Depot, Philadelphia

• Continental Hotel Lincoln rides to the Continental Hotel and speaks to 100,000 supporters. An observer remarks, “We are confident that not one person in the crowd below heard one word of Lincoln's speech.” That evening, Frederick W. Seward delivers a letter from his father, Sen. William Seward, that discusses a plot uncovered to assassinate Lincoln in Baltimore. The railroad company's detectives support this intelligence. He pledges to consider altering his schedule, but insists on fulfilling his engagements in Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

Friday, February 22, 1861

• Independence Hall Lincoln goes by carriage to Independence Hall, where, inspired by his surroundings, he says, “I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodies in the Declaration of Independence.” Before leaving, he raises a new flag of 34 stars (Kansas had just been admitted three weeks earlier on January 29, 1861) over Independence Hall.

• Philadelphia Train Station With Detective Allen Pinkerton accompanying, Lincoln leaves for Washington, via Baltimore. Telegraph lines out of the city are cut to prevent word of the trip from spreading south.

• Leaman Place, Pennsylvania

• Lancaster, Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania State House, Harrisburg, PA As per his schedule, Lincoln appears before the state legislature and Gov. Andrew J. Curtin and says, “It shall be my endeavor to preserve the peace of this country.” New plans have been drawn up for Lincoln's arrival into Washington. His initial response: “Unless there are some other reasons besides ridicule, I am disposed to carry out Judd's plan.” He boards a special train headed back to Philadelphia, where he will connect with an 11 p.m. train to the nation's capital.

Saturday, February 23, 1861

• President Street Station, Baltimore, MD

• Washington, DC Lincoln has breakfast with Sen. Seward, telegraphs his wife with news of his safe arrival, and sits for Mathew Brady, photographer.

The President-elect was widely ridiculed for his secretive entrance into Washington. Both newspapers and the general public were worried they had once again elected a weak, indecisive commander-in-chief. Fortunately for the Union, the fears were unfounded.

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Brian Wolly is the digital editor of Smithsonian.com

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Alerts in effect, abraham lincoln's legacy lives.

April 14, 1865. President Lincoln is assassinated at Ford’s Theatre. Discover how a nation handled grief and loss, how everyday people experienced a national tragedy, and how we have remembered a fallen leader. Today, in partnership with Ford’s Theatre Society, live dramatic productions highlight Lincoln’s love of the theatre, and the power of stories to connect us to ourselves and our history.

Explore Frequently Asked Questions on the assassination, John Wilkes Booth, Ford's Theatre, and the Petersen House.

Join Ranger Eric for a video walkthrough of the events of the Lincoln assassination inside the state box and on the stage at Ford's Theatre.

Discover the trailblazing adventurous life of Laura Keene as an actress, theatre manager, mother, and entrepreneur.

Ranger Dani honors the talented and inspiring women who were performing at Ford's Theatre the night President Lincoln was assassinated.

Plan your visit to Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, the Ford's Museum, and the Petersen House.

Check out videos of Park Rangers reading selected children’s books all about the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

Learn about the people, places, stories, and the museum collection at Ford's Theatre National Historic site.

Last updated: March 22, 2022

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