Washington, D.C.—Ford’s Theatre announced the spring 2009 schedule for its popular History on Foot walking tours, which are guided by actors playing characters from Civil War Washington. The theatre will premiere a new walking tour this spring titled Mrs. Lincoln’s Confidante: Elizabeth Keckly written by Ford’s Theatre Artistic Programming Advisor Jennifer L. Nelson. The theatre also will continue the walking tour Investigation: Detective McDevitt, which premiered in 2008. Investigation: Detective McDevitt will restart in March 2009. Mrs. Lincoln’s Confidante: Elizabeth Keckly will premiere in May 2009.

For Immediate Release Lauren Beyea
March 13, 2009 (202)434-9543/lbeyea@fords.org

FORD’S THEATRE ANNOUNCES
HISTORY ON FOOT WALKING TOURS
FOR SPRING 2009

Washington, D.C.—Ford’s Theatre announced the spring 2009 schedule for its popular History on Foot walking tours, which are guided by actors playing characters from Civil War Washington. The theatre will premiere a new walking tour this spring titled Mrs. Lincoln’s Confidante: Elizabeth Keckly written by Ford’s Theatre Artistic Programming Advisor Jennifer L. Nelson. The theatre also will continue the walking tour Investigation: Detective McDevitt, which premiered in 2008. Investigation: Detective McDevitt will restart in March 2009. Mrs. Lincoln’s Confidante: Elizabeth Keckly will premiere in May 2009.

Mrs. Lincoln’s Confidante: Elizabeth Keckly written by Jennifer L. Nelson
Join Elizabeth Keckly, free black woman and confidante to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, as she tells the story of her friendship with the Lincoln family and of her efforts to help former slaves find their way in newly free Washington City. This tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and the distance walked is about 1.5 miles. Tours are Wednesdays May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15 and 22; Fridays June 12, 26, July 10, 17 and 24; and Saturdays May 2, 16, 30, June 13, 27, July 11, 18 and 25. Tickets are on sale beginning March 15, 2009.

Investigation: Detective McDevitt written by Richard Hellesen
Join Detective James McDevitt as he revisits and reexamines the sites and clues from the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy. This tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and makes at least eight stops. The distance walked is approximately 1.4 miles from Ford’s Theatre to the White House. Tours are Wednesdays March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 29, May 6,13, 20, 27, June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19 and 26; Fridays June 5, 12, 26, July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14, 21and 28; and Saturdays March 14, 28, April 25, June 20, July 11, August 1, 8, 15 and 22. Tickets on sale December 15, 2008.

Tickets
Tickets for History on Foot are $12 for individuals and $10 for groups of 20 or more. Once tickets go on sale, individual tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting www.fords.org. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367.

Ford’s Theatre Society
Since it reopened its doors in 1968, more than a hundred years after the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre has been one of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital. Ford’s Theatre has enthralled visitors because of its unique place in United States history, and its mission to celebrate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and explore the American experience through theatre and education. For its accomplishments, the organization was honored in 2008 with the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given by the U.S. government to artists, arts institutions and arts patrons.

Ford’s Theatre reopened in February 2009 after an 18-month renovation. The Ford’s Theatre Museum will reopen in spring 2009. The renovations are part of The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign, a $50 million capital campaign that supports the renovation of the theatre and museum as well as the building of the new Center for Education and Leadership, an education center focused on the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

Ford’s Theatre Society works to present the Theatre’s nearly one million visitors each year with a high quality historical and cultural experience, enhancing the vibrancy of this historic site, an important tool for promoting the ideals of leadership, humanity and wisdom espoused by Abraham Lincoln.

Since the arrival of Paul R. Tetreault as Director, Ford’s Theatre Society has been recognized by the critics and theatergoing public for the superior quality of its artistic programming. With works from the nationally acclaimed Big River to the regional premiere of Trying and world premiere of Meet John Doe, Ford’s Theatre has undoubtedly begun to make its mark on the American theatre landscape.

In addition, through the leadership of Wayne R. Reynolds, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the mission of Ford’s Theatre Society has recently been expanded to include education as a central pillar of the organization, equal to that of producing theatre of the highest quality. As Ford’s Theatre looks to the future, the health of the organization will be defined and determined not only by the quality of the productions on the stage but also by the success of its educational programming in teaching about the life, Presidency and lessons of leadership of Abraham Lincoln.

For more information on Ford’s Theatre and the Ford’s Theatre Society, please visit www.fords.org.