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Presidential box: was it reassembled or reconstructed? - Juan Marrero - 05-25-2023 06:58 PM
"Soon after leasing the building, the government began the process of converting the interior of the theater into office space. This involved essentially gutting the building, and the presidential box was dismantled sometime in August 1865, about four months after the assassination."
https://lostnewengland.com/2023/04/presidential-box-at-fords-theatre-washington-dc
The article does not clarify if the disassembled materials were saved and reused a hundred years later to reconstruct the box. I was wondering which is the case--reassembly or reconstruction. Sound like post-1865 political terms.
RE: Presidential box: was it reassembled or reconstructed? - RJNorton - 05-26-2023 04:52 AM
Juan, Lincoln assassination expert, Dave Taylor, wrote the following paragraph:
"In truth though, that is not the box where Lincoln was shot. That specific box was destroyed long ago. Ford’s Theatre, as beautiful as it is, is a complete reconstruction except for its exterior walls. It was recreated to appear as it did in 1865 by a group of experts and historians in the 1960’s. While they thoroughly documented their work in this book, sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are some pictures of the inside of Ford’s when it was being rebuilt in the ’60’s:"
I am quoting from Dave's web page here:
https://lincolnconspirators.com/2013/08/25/reconstructing-fords-theatre/
Juan, for details on the entire restoration, I would refer you to Restoration of Ford's Theatre which is a .pdf file which can be downloaded here:
http://npshistory.com/publications/foth/hsr.pdf
RE: Presidential box: was it reassembled or reconstructed? - Juan Marrero - 05-26-2023 08:28 AM
(05-26-2023 04:52 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Juan, Lincoln assassination expert, Dave Taylor, wrote the following paragraph:
"In truth though, that is not the box where Lincoln was shot. That specific box was destroyed long ago. Ford’s Theatre, as beautiful as it is, is a complete reconstruction except for its exterior walls. It was recreated to appear as it did in 1865 by a group of experts and historians in the 1960’s. While they thoroughly documented their work in this book, sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are some pictures of the inside of Ford’s when it was being rebuilt in the ’60’s:"
I am quoting from Dave's web page here:
https://lincolnconspirators.com/2013/08/25/reconstructing-fords-theatre/
Juan, for details on the entire restoration, I would refer you to Restoration of Ford's Theatre which is a .pdf file which can be downloaded here:
http://npshistory.com/publications/foth/hsr.pdf
Thank you so much, Roger. I suspected that a total reconstruction was the most likely outcome. Completely unrealistic, perhaps the presidential box materials are in some warehouse waiting like Tutankhamun's tomb to be discovered. It's more likely that Booth's posthumous photograph will be located or additional pictures of AL lying in State would be found in a dusty library book.
This Symposium is such an incredible resource. Thank you too for the links. Dave Taylor is an impressive historian.
My interest in Ford's Theater was rekindled having just reread "Backstage at the Lincoln Assassination." Great book.
RE: Presidential box: was it reassembled or reconstructed? - Tom Bogar - 05-26-2023 11:10 AM
So glad Backstage played a role in rekindling your interest, Juan. Its always great to get positive feedback. And yes, I agree, Roger's board, and Dave's, are wonderful resources.
RE: Presidential box: was it reassembled or reconstructed? - Juan Marrero - 05-26-2023 11:55 AM
(05-26-2023 11:10 AM)Tom Bogar Wrote: So glad Backstage played a role in rekindling your interest, Juan. Its always great to get positive feedback. And yes, I agree, Roger's board, and Dave's, are wonderful resources.
Mr. Bogar, indeed your book is one of the most interesting and unique accounts I have ever read about that night in April 1865. What incredible research and depth.
It came as no surprise, but it still is a bit shocking to read how so many young people died back then of diseases we now associate with the old--strokes and heart attacks. Also, there sure were a lot of quick (or not so quick) visits to saloon. I would have expected more to succumb to liver disease!
You vividly portray the "secesh" culture among many found backstage. If President Lincoln had been less magnanimous than he was, perhaps, he might have avoided patronizing Ford's altogether on that account. Of course, that does not mean Booth wouldn't have found another venue.
By the way, I have a card signed by Harry Hawk. On the back he wrote, "I was the only one on stage the night President Lincoln was shot."
RE: Presidential box: was it reassembled or reconstructed? - Jim Garrett - 07-23-2023 04:19 PM
Recently, Heritage Auctions of Dallas Texas auctioned off the key to box 7. The provenance went back to about 1870 and originally came from the doorkeeper at Ford's (If memory serves me correctly). The pre-auction estimate was around $15,000. I went for over $400,000. This was in the same auction as many items from our good friend, Dr. Blaine Houmes, who we all miss greatly.