The National Park Service and Ford's Theatre Society announced that Abraham Lincoln's wool overcoat, currently on display in the Ford's Theatre lobby, will be replaced by its replica on November 12, 2009. Following several months in conservation storage, the original Brooks Brothers coat will return to the Ford's Theatre lobby in February 2010 where it will remain on display until June 2010.
The National Park Service with the support of Ford's Theatre Society have agreed to display the Lincoln coat for six months annually in an effort to balance conservation of and public access to the historic artifact worn by Abraham Lincoln on the night he was shot at Ford's Theatre. The coat has been on display in the Ford's Theatre lobby since February 2009 when the theatre and adjoining lobby opened to the public following a $25 million renovation. "As stewards of America's treasures, the National Park Service is committed to preserving and protecting the artifacts entrusted to our care. We are equally committed to balancing the public exhibition of this iconic artifact in accordance to museum standards," said Kym Elder, Park Superintendent, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site."We are pleased that we have been able to display this historic artifact to the American public during our reopening and the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth," said Paul Tetreault, Director Ford's Theatre Society. "Together, the Ford's Theatre Society and National Park Service have found a way to share this artifact with our visitors while also ensuring its presentation for future generations."
