Restoration of Ford's Theatre - Book

[Gene C]

I'm not sure if the link to this book has been posted before.
I tried a quick search but didn't find it.
Some very interesting photos and illustrations.

I haven't read it, just looked at the pictures

https://archive.org/details/restorationo...ew=theater

[AussieMick]

(03-20-2025 06:29 AM)Gene C Wrote:  I'm not sure if the link to this book has been posted before.
I tried a quick search but didn't find it.
Some very interesting photos and illustrations.

I haven't read it, just looked at the pictures

https://archive.org/details/restorationo...ew=theater

Spooky photo at page 40, 42 of Dress Circle..

[J. Beckert]

That's a GREAT book filled with lots of interesting details. Ford's was a little different in 1865 and the book explains it well - the connection to the Star Saloon building and the access doors to the lounge and apartments was very interesting.

Sad to know that the only original parts left are the 10th. St. facade and the side walls. Everything else was gutted years before.

[Joe Di Cola]

(03-20-2025 06:29 AM)Gene C Wrote:  I'm not sure if the link to this book has been posted before.
I tried a quick search but didn't find it.
Some very interesting photos and illustrations.

I haven't read it, just looked at the pictures

https://archive.org/details/restorationo...ew=theater

I purchased that book in 1963 and sill have it on my shelves. It isw very informative and well-illustrated. It also has details that many people might not know concerning the history of the theatre, apart from its place in the Lincoln assassination.

[jbarry]

Agreed, this book is a great resource on Ford's Theatre. My main takeaway is on pages 37 and 39 indicating the seating capacity was approximately 1624 (Orchestra: 602, Dress Circle: 422, Family Circle: 600). Given multiple sources saying attendance was not at capacity that night, and some eyewitnesses mentioned relocating to different seats, I take that to suggest 1500+ attendees that night. Of note, when I visited Ford's Theatre in 2023, the guide stated 1700 were in attendance.

[RJNorton]

I have read as little as 1,000, but I have no clue where I read that.

[Dennis Urban]

I also have a copy of the 1963 publication by the National Park Service (NPS). The front cover contains a $1.00 stamp which must have been the price at that time. Clearly, all the information in the book is quite fascinating. However I've spotted a possible error and a sure error.
Page 59 says Booth entered the box through the box 7 door which was immediately behind Lincoln's rocker. Given that the doors opened inward, this hardly seems possible. If the door creaked upon opening, history might be quite different. Recent published research indicates it is most likely that Booth entered through the open door of box 8. Additionally on the top of page 61 it is stated that Booth broke his right leg; clearly an error. It does state correctly that was the tibia that was broken.
It is not my intention to be critical of the 1963 publication or of the NPS, however as I study the minutiae of the assassination, exactness is important.

[jbarry]

(03-21-2025 03:12 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  I have read as little as 1,000, but I have no clue where I read that.

Entirely possible. However, the prospect of seeing President Lincoln and U.S. Grant (since most didn't realize he had cancelled) probably led to a healthy audience that night. Admittedly, "not full capacity" allows for a fairly wide range. That would probably mean a sparsely populated family circle, but a more crowded orchestra and dress circle audience.