Ford’s Theatre Society Announces Free Open Houses, 2/12 & 20

Ford's Theatre Society will celebrate Lincoln's Birthday on February 12 and Presidents' Day on February 20 with free open houses featuring programming and activities.

On each day, visitors can attend author discussions, ranger talks and one-act play performances exploring Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Visitors can also view the exhibits at the new Center for Education and Leadership, participate in workshops with the Education Department and enjoy scavenger hunts and prize drawings. The Ford's Theatre Museum will be open for visits on the hour beginning at 9 a.m.

Tickets are free and available at the box office beginning at 8:30 a.m. on February 12 for Lincoln's Birthday and at 8:30 a.m. on February 20 for Presidents' Day. Groups of 20 or more may reserve in advance by contacting Group Sales at (202) 638-2367 or groups@fords.org.

The opening events of the Center for Education and Leadership are sponsored in part by AT&T. Washington Flyer serves as media partner for the opening of the Center for Education and Leadership.

Center for Education and Leadership

Opening in February 2012, the new Center for Education and Leadership will bring the values and ideals of Lincoln from the past into the present, examining the immediate aftermath of Lincoln's death and his multi-faceted legacy through permanent and special exhibits, workshops, seminars and speakers, as well as community outreach programs. Housed in a building directly across the street from Ford's Theatre and acquired by the Ford's Theatre Society in 2007, the Center features two floors of permanent exhibits addressing the immediate aftermath of Lincoln's death and the evolution of Lincoln's legacy; a Leadership Gallery floor to be used for rotating exhibits, lecture and reception space; two floors of education studios to house pre- and post-visit workshops, after-school programs and teacher professional development; and a distance-learning lab outfitted with state-of-the-art technology that will allow Ford's to engage students and teachers nationwide and around the world. Like the historic theatre across the street, the Center will be an essential destination for local and national visitors-from schoolchildren to scholars, from curious tourists to Washingtonians seeking a thought-provoking experience.

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