Rendering of the future flexible event space for larger on-site dinners, receptions and expanded public programming. Large empty room with recessed overhead lighting, carpeted floors and a wall featuring a floor to ceiling Abraham Lincoln portrait.
Rendering courtesy of OTJ Architects.

Campaign Progress

With the addition of the Frances and Craig Lindner Center for Culture and Leadership, the building across the street from Ford’s historic theatre and adjacent to our Center for Education and Leadership, Ford’s Theatre will unlock new possibilities for our entire campus and create a dynamic space that will embody Lincoln’s approach to learning and leadership through humility, empathy, creativity and courage. 

This $52 million campaign and campus expansion will allow us to connect with visitors in new and more engaging ways, enhance the theatre and history-interpreted experiences we offer audiences and accommodate more students and educators than ever before.  

Special Message from Ford’s Theatre Society Director

Under the direction of Paul R. Tetreault since 2004, Ford’s Theatre has grown into a premier performing arts theatre and educational center in our nation’s capital.

Lincoln’s Legacy, Our Legacy will provide resources for Ford’s to have an even greater impact for our community and our nation.

We invite you to watch Paul’s message to learn more about Lincoln’s Legacy, Our Legacy and join us in transforming Ford’s into a vibrant, visible and accessible destination dedicated to bringing President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy to current and future generations.

Why I Support Lincoln’s Legacy, Our Legacy

Ford’s Theatre Advisory Council member, Lincoln Medal recipient and Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin has a special message about her deep appreciation for President Abraham Lincoln, his example of leadership and the importance of supporting Ford’s Lincoln’s Legacy, Our Legacy campaign.

Ford’s has received a generous grant from The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation that will match your gift today, dollar-for-dollar, up to $250,000. Going twice as far to help advance “the unfinished work” of President Lincoln.

Join Ford’s Theatre and Doris Kearns Goodwin in commemorating President Lincoln’s Legacy by making a tax-deductible donation to our Campaign. Every gift helps move our mission forward.

Donate Today

Progress to Goal

Thanks to our generous donors we have reached 71% of our $52 million goal having secured gifts and commitments of $36.7 million to date.

Progress Photo Gallery

Photo of a roof construction site. A room with steel girders and no walls fills up most of the space.

Building out what will be the Merrill Family Foundation Terrace connecting the new event space overlooking the historic Ford’s Theatre. Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction.

Three people in hardhats works to build a concrete staircase at a construction site.

Progress on the stairs from the second floor to the third floor of the Frances and Craig Lindner Center for Culture and Leadership. Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction.

A man and a woman wearing yellow construction hats look across the street at the exterior of Ford's Theatre. Their backs are to the camera.

Photo by Jennifer Thomas.

Four construction workers stand in the middle of an active construction site, next to a red boom lift.

Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction.

Photo of the interior of a construction site.

Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction.