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Historical Events

Ford’s Theatre Playbill for April 14, 1865

The playbill for Our American Cousin lists the cast and ticket prices for the performance during which Lincoln was shot.

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The assassination of President Lincoln: at Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C., April 14th, 1865
The assassination of President Lincoln: at Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C., April 14th, 1865 Source: Library of Congress

April 14, 1865 at Ford’s Theater began with a showing of Our American Cousin, and ended with an assassinated President Lincoln. The Library of Congress has the program from that evening. Pretty incredible to think that people in the audience that night came in ready for an enjoyable night out, and got details about the night’s production on this piece of paper.

You can see a list of all the characters and actors in the play.

The price list for tickets is also available. A private box would have cost $6-$10, which would be anywhere from about $80-$140 today.

Our American Cousin Playbill
Our American Cousin Playbill – Source Library of Congress
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Filed underHistorical Events

Topics1860s · Abraham Lincoln · Ford's Theatre

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