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brtmchl · 09-09-2013, 10:39 AM

(08-30-2013 08:34 PM)chrishunter Wrote: The box is a very enclosed space. By modern standards you would be tripping over each other. I don't know enough about how it was rebuilt in the 1960's but the furniture in the current configuration is close together. If I were to rush in suddenly I would bump into something. So I am not an expert on these things, but it feels possible that box could've been bigger in it's original state.

(08-29-2013 07:49 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote: The Garrett farm site was also used by the army as a dumping ground when they tore down the civilian buildings that were on Ft. A.P.Hill. You could build a mansion out of all the "chimney bricks" recovered from the Garrett site.

(08-28-2013 02:35 PM)Cliff Roberts Wrote: When Ford's Theater was restored, they couldn't find the original construction plans for the building, so designers had to estimate critical measurements using 1865 photographs and sketches of the interior of the theater for guidance. I haven't had a chance to visit the theater since it's restoration, but from photographs, it looks like they did an excellent job - except for one thing: The presidential box. From various present-day photos of the interior of the box, it appears too small in size to accomodate all the people we know were in the box at one time, not to speak of the various pieces of furniture (the rocker, the sofa and at least three chairs) plus the partition. The far wall (the one facing backstage) seems cut at too severe an angle, making the interior of the box more narrow than it was originally, and the entry hallway seems like it should have been located about a foot or so further right, leaving more room for Lincoln's rocker. At least that's the way it appears from the photos. I'm sure many of you have seen the restored box in person. What do you think? Is the box too small, or are the photos misleading?

Maybe Chris Hunter can chime in on the size of the box. I think he is probably the most recent person on the symposium to have been in the box. Chris, how stuffed would the box have been with all the furniture, and people?

It amazes me every time I see a photo of the box. When I imagine it in my mind it is always much bigger and more open. I can't believe that Booth would have been able to get through there so easily. Even without Rathbone to slow him down, I would imagine maneuvering through that dimly lit box, with all of the furniture sitting at different angles would have been difficult by itself. It seems to me that even the slightest altercation could have trapped him easily. Possibly knocking him over a piece of furniture. He must have been very athletic. A very daring plan indeed.