Destination: Ford's Theater and Petersen House

Today's trip was to Ford's Theater and the Petersen House. Despite the rain, I had a healthy group of 14. Some had been to Ford's Theater before but I don't think anyone had been through the Petersen House previously. None of us (me included) had been through the new museum in the basement.

Thanks to Sarah Jencks and Jack Flack for securing tickets for our group! I picked them up from the box office while the kids got in line.

Once, in we followed the crowd down the stairs to the new museum. Those with Passports quickly took to stamping them...eager for two new stamps! :)

CJ did a little perusing and was instantly drawn to the larger black NPS Passport. He admitted that if he got that one he thought it would be harder to lose...

Once in the museum the kids disappeared into the gallery and the sea of tourists. I really liked the displays but it was difficult to heard everyone together. The kids kept running back to me to report things that they saw. Affrika found the Emancipation Proclamation replica which she was excited about since we discussed it last week for Emancipation Day.

Lamont found the gun that Booth used to shoot Lincoln.


The statue of Lincoln reading was a huge hit! First Jordan posed with him...


then Aliyah took her photo with a magazine she brought...

Kemry improvised on Aliyah's pose...

Affrika struck a pose...
CJ smiled...
Jahmeelah wanted to see what Lincoln was reading...

and Malik was impressed with what Lincoln was reading.

We headed upstairs to the theater itself. The kids were pretty excited and I was excited for them!

Unfortunately, there wasn't a sit down talk, but rather one where the we could take photos but had to keep moving. I stopped long enough to share a brief version of how Booth came in to Lincoln's box, where Lincoln and his wife were, how Booth broke his leg, about the play---the basics.

A ranger, whose name I didn't catch, came over and kindly took our group photo--much appreciated!

We went upstairs where we could take as much time and as many photos as we wanted to. Alando wanted a picture with Lincoln's box in the background.


And so did a few others...


Owen desperately wanted to enter the presidential box. Jordan and Owen tried the doorknob, tried to jimmy the door, and finally just knocked. Sadly, they could not get in...


We also had to take a photo by the bust of Lincoln.

We wormed our way downstairs and across the street to the Petersen House where Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865.




After our walk through we were back outside, taking another group shot.


The kids did a great job and I enjoyed sharing another DC National Park with them. :)

I must admit, it was rather daunting to be in uniform at Ford's Theater--especially since there were so many tourists. I didn't get asked any questions I couldn't answer, they were basic, basic questions---but I was also very quick to point out that I really don't work at this particular National Park. It was difficult to explain while in the uniform and gathering my students.

That's been the biggest thing to get used to being in uniform this week: being in the Nation's Capitol in uniform. When I was in uniform in Sulphur there was only one place I worked (it was assumed). Here in DC, there are sooo many more people, who are willing to ask so many more questions and have lots to share. Yesterday, coming back from Mary McLeod Bethune, as we were all on the subway, a gentleman asked me what Park I work at. I explained that I am actually an 8th grade History Teacher, but I worked at a National Park in Oklahoma this past summer. I explained the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program and shared that it is National Park Week, which is why I am in uniform and that we're visiting National Parks after school to celebrate. Then, we were at our stop. :) At least I was able to share that it's National Park Week with him...and that the smallest National Park is Thaddeus Kosciuszko's house in Philly. :)

I spoke to another man in line at Starbucks this morning---he used to live in Williamsport, MD which is along the C&O Canal. He was very interested in my story. :)

Every day is exciting and every day brings new stories. Can't wait to hear what tomorrow brings!