Ford restoration

[Cliff Roberts]

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?