Grant and Lincoln's invitation

[RJNorton]

Scott, from the Historic Structure Report - Restoration of Ford's Theatre:

"Thus this total figure of 1,700 for the theatre's seating capacity, aside from the boxes, is based on the statement of John T. Ford published in the Washington Post of June 11, 1893, and the unpublished doctoral dissertation of John Ford Sollers referred to in the main body of this report. This figure of 1,700 appears to be more realistic than contemporary newspaper accounts of 1865 which stated the seating capacity to be between 2,000 and 3,000 persons."