Petersen House facts for kids
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Petersen House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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February 2012
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 Location in the United States
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| Location | 516 10th St., N.W. (between E and F Sts.) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Area | 0.29 acres (1,200 m2) |
| Built | 1849 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| Visitation | 856,079 (2005) |
| Part of | Ford's Theatre National Historic Site (ID66000034) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated CP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHS | February 12, 2017 |
The Petersen House is a historic building in Washington, D.C.. It is a 19th-century house built in the Federal style. You can find it at 516 10th Street NW, not far from the White House. This house is famous because President Abraham Lincoln died here. He passed away on April 15, 1865, after being shot the night before. The shooting happened at Ford's Theatre, which is right across the street.
William A. Petersen, a German tailor, built the house in 1849. Later, in 1852, John C. Breckinridge rented it. He would later become a vice-president. In 1865, the house was a boarding house, where people could rent rooms. Since the 1930s, it has been a museum. The National Park Service now takes care of it.
The Night Lincoln Died
On the evening of April 14, 1865, President Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, were watching a play. The play was called Our American Cousin. They were at Ford's Theatre. Suddenly, John Wilkes Booth, an actor who supported the South, entered their private box. He shot President Lincoln in the back of the head.
Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were also with the Lincolns. Rathbone was badly hurt trying to stop Booth from getting away. Doctors, including Charles Leale, quickly checked on Lincoln. They decided to carry him across the street to the Petersen House. A boarder named Henry Safford showed them inside.
Doctors worked through the night to help Lincoln. Many important people came to see the President. These included members of Lincoln's Cabinet and generals. Guards stood outside to keep crowds away.
Abraham Lincoln died in the house on April 15, 1865. It was 7:22 in the morning. He was 56 years old. His son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was there. Also present were Senator Charles Sumner and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Booth was found in Virginia two weeks later. He was shot by a Union soldier and died soon after.
Petersen House Today
Since 1933, the National Park Service has managed the Petersen House. It is now a historical museum. The museum shows what the house looked like when Lincoln died there. The original bed Lincoln used and other items from the room were bought by a collector. They are now at the Chicago History Museum.
However, the Petersen House has replicas of these items. This helps visitors imagine the scene. The bloodstained pillow and pillowcases are the actual ones used by Lincoln. The museum also has many books about Lincoln.
The Petersen House is part of the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site. It is usually open to visitors every day. You can visit from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no charge to get in, but you need a timed ticket.
Images for kids
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Lincoln on his deathbed
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Lincoln's deathbed
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Room in the Petersen House where Abraham Lincoln died
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The pillow Abraham Lincoln died on
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Petersen House circa 1918. The commemorative plaque, seen later in the 1925 photo, had not yet been installed.
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Modern recreation of the bedroom
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Front parlor
