Few will even know what play was being performed when the US President was assassinated but it has a resonance for Our American Cousins and Lincoln.
The British half of me (in truth Scottish) will know that figuratively and diplomatically Britons and Americans are ‘Cousins’.
The Irish in me informs that Our American Cousins are real and close…
And have been the trigger for me schooling myself in American history and literature.
The play’s the thing
English playwright Tom Taylor’s Our American Cousin was the play performed before Abraham Lincoln this day 159 years ago.
At Ford’s theatre in Washington DC which despite devouring all the history I could on my last visit remains on the to do list.
It’s always wise to leave yourself something left to see so that you will return… and I have a long list.
Which also includes George Washington’s house in Mount Vernon, and The Exorcist steps in Georgetown.
For the ages
It is easy for history buffs to oversee, or run out of time, in DC when you’re mopping up Smithsonians.
But if you’re about DC today or would like to prepare yourself for next year’s 160th anniversary then Ford’s Theatre’s doors are open.
As they have been since 1968, putting on live performances, having been shut for 100 years.
With a full season each year from September to May.
Of course, as you’d expect, Lincoln is front and centre of many of those performances.
Although there are timeless classics too such as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol which runs from November 21-December 31.
Which covers my own birthday (hint!)
Your inner 1865 theatregoer
Now, this being America, they do visitors centres bigger and better.
And your visit will include the Ford’s Theatre Museum.
Where you can immerse yourself in exhibits on Lincoln’s presidency, Civil War milestones and the John Wilkes Booth plot.
While, of course, you will be able to channel your inner 1965 theatregoer in the playhouse.
Now the Ford’s Theatre experience is for the ages.
And you can pay tribute to The Great Deliverer where he died at Peterson House, the boarding rooms where he died.
All this too at just $3.50, taking in the museum, a Theatre: Ranger Talk and Peterson House with booking ahead advised.
It’s helpful, of course, when you have family out there and you have a landmark 60th birthday coming up, 100 years after Abe’s next year.
All of which makes us glad for our American Cousins and Lincoln.
How to get there
Now it’s always the Aers and Stripes for us particularly as Aer Lingus has pre-clearance.
And Ireland’s national airline carrier have a sample fare for September 14 for five days for €532.36.
And while we have our own digs sorted at our American Cousins we’d recommend you go to the Washington Hilton where Ronald Reagan was shot at $1,912.47 for five nights.
