A great Abraham Lincoln project for kids to bring history to life is a Ford’s Theatre shoebox diorama. You’ll also love my free War Between the States or American Civil War Unit Study and Lapbook page.
Instead of just reading about the events of April 14, 1865, kids can recreate the theater where one of the most important and tragic events in American history took place.
This project is simple enough to make with a shoebox and basic craft supplies, but it also provides plenty of opportunities to learn about Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, theater life in the 1860s, and what happened on that fateful night.
The building we know today as Ford’s Theatre did not actually begin as a theater. The building was originally constructed as the First Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. in the 1830s. The church eventually moved to another location, leaving the building vacant.
First, look at these books about Abraham Lincoln.
FUN BOOKS AND RESOURCES ABOUT ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I have some Abraham Lincoln facts, some great books, and resources to turn your topic into a unit study.
16th President Abraham Lincoln Books and Resources
Add some of these books and resources to make a learning day about Lincoln and his accomplishments to American history
It was this spirit they hoped to exemplify in their biography of young Abe as he grew into manhood against the backdrop of the wilderness of Kentucky, the deep woods of Indiana, and the prairies of Illinois. Camping for weeks in Lincoln country, the d'Aulaires imbibed the spirit of the man Lincoln as well as his humor and good will. From his days as a clerk, teaching himself law reading Blackstone, practicing law in Springfield, running unsuccessfully for office, debating Stephen Douglas over the issue of slavery, and ultimately becoming President of the United States, the d'Aulaires have written and beautifully illustrated the life of one of America's most remarkable citizens.
When President Lincoln died the next morning, the United States mourned as it had never mourned before. An assassin had killed the man who had led Americans through the bloody turmoil of the Civil War with an unswerving commitment to rebuilding a strong and united country.
This dramatic audiobook introduces young listeners to Abraham Lincoln’s life and explains his role in American history. Jim Weiss’ spirited narration will remind children and adults alike why Lincoln
holds a special place in American history and in our hearts. This audiobook includes vivid descriptions of Lee, Grant, Stephen Douglas, Mary Todd Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, the complete Gettysburg Address, and more.
The action begins in October of 1875, as Secret Service agents raid the Fulton, Illinois, workshop of master counterfeiter Ben Boyd. Soon after Boyd is hauled off to prison, members of his counterfeiting ring gather in the back room of a smoky Chicago saloon to discuss how to spring their ringleader. Their plan: grab Lincoln's body from its Springfield tomb, stash it in the sand dunes near Lake Michigan, and demand, as a ransom, the release of Ben Boyd - and $200,000 in cash.
From here, the action alternates between the conspirators, the Secret Service agents on their trail, and the undercover agent moving back and forth between the two groups. Along the way readers get glimpses into the inner workings of counterfeiting, grave robbing, detective work, and the early days of the Secret Service. The plot moves toward a wild climax as robbers and lawmen converge at Lincoln's tomb on election night: November 7, 1876.
A beautifully told story of young Abraham Lincoln’s coming-of-age. Drawn from the early chapters of Carl Sandburg’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years, this is the story of Abraham Lincoln’s childhood.
Growing up poor on the family farm, Abe did chores, helped his father cut down trees, and expertly skinned animals and cured hides. As a young man, he became an avid reader. When he witnessed a slave auction while on a flatboat trip down the Mississippi, he was forever changed—and so was the future of America. This is the remarkable story of Lincoln’s youth, early America, and the pioneer life that shaped one of our country’s greatest presidents.
Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography all about President Abraham Lincoln! The perfect introduction to nonfiction for preschoolers!
The heroes are depicted as children throughout, telling their life stories in first-person present tense, which keeps the books playful and accessible to young children. This book spotlights Abraham Lincoln who always spoke his mind and was unafraid to speak for others.This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big. Included in each book are:• A timeline of key events in the hero’s history • Photos that bring the story more fully to life • Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorable• Childhood moments that influenced the hero• Facts that make great conversation-starters• A virtue this person embodies: Abraham Lincoln's compassion made him a great leader.
Pop-up pages trace the life of Abraham Lincoln,
Winner of the Lincoln Prize Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illuminates Abraham Lincoln's political genius in this highly original work, as the one-term congressman and prairie lawyer rises from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president.
In the early 1860s, a theater owner named John T. Ford leased the building and transformed it into a theater. The first theater on the site opened in 1862, but a fire caused extensive damage that same year.
It quickly became an important entertainment venue in Washington, D.C. and President Abraham Lincoln was a regular visitor. I imagine it was a relief from the tension right after the Civil War. By April 1865, the Civil War was finally coming to an end. On April 9, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.
ABOUT FORD THEATRE
Five days after that on the evening of April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, went to Ford’s Theatre to watch a comedy called Our American Cousin. They were joined by Major Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris.
The Lincolns were seated in a special box above the stage. This was known as the Presidential Box, or State Box. The box was decorated with American flags and a portrait of George Washington. (You may want to include these details in your diorama because they are some of the most recognizable features of the theater).
During the performance, actor John Wilkes Booth entered the presidential box and shot Lincoln. Booth was a Confederate sympathizer who opposed Lincoln.
A doctor named Charles Leale, who was attending the performance, rushed to help him. Because Lincoln’s injury was so serious, several men carefully carried him out of the theater and across the street to the Petersen Boarding House.
He died the following morning, April 15, 1865, at 7:22 a.m. at just 56 years old.
Ford’s Theatre did not continue operating after Lincoln’s assassination, it became a crime scene, and the government closed the building. Although John T. Ford tried to reopen the theater, public opposition prevented it from returning to normal operation.
Eventually, the federal government purchased the building. The inside was removed and the building was converted into government offices. Over the years, the building had several different uses and even suffered another terrible disaster when part of the building collapsed in 1893, killing 22 people.
Finally, Ford’s Theatre was restored. It reopened as a working theater in 1968, more than 100 years after Lincoln’s assassination.
Today, Ford’s Theatre is a National Historic Site where visitors can learn about Lincoln, the Civil War, the assassination, and the history of the theater.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN PROJECTS FOR KIDS
- 16th President Abraham Lincoln Crafts and Facts | Cute Lincoln Toilet Paper Roll
- Paper Bag Craft: 3D Lincoln Log Cabin Instructions
- Abraham Lincoln Paper Plate Craft: How To Make For Fun Mask
- How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA
- Lincoln’s Cookies | Recipes from American History
- Don’t forget my huge free Civil War Lapbook.
- How to Draw Abe Lincoln: Easy Step-by-Step Art Lesson for Kids
HOW TO MAKE A FORD’S THEATER DIORAMA
For our project, we used a shoebox to create a miniature Ford’s Theatre. You can have your child make their theater as simple or detailed as you would have them do it.
We used this site for inspiration and referencing how the theater looked back then.
You will need:
- A shoebox with a lid
- Colorful construction paper
- scissors/straight edge cutter
- Glue
We used the top of the shoe box to create the stage. First we drew the shape of a rounded stage.
Then cut it out leaving the edges of the box long so that we could wrap them around the top, tape down and have sides.
Finish it off by covering it in brown construction paper and add wood grain details if you like.
Cover the bottom of your box with red construction paper for the carpet and secure with glue.
Glue the stage in place at one end of the box.
Next, create the presidential box seats layering white for the framework, yellow for curtains, brown seats, and a red wall background.
You can make tiny figures of Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, Major Rathbone, and Clara Harris sitting inside the box.
Draw or make a flag swag out of scrap paper to hang over the edge.
Ford’s Theatre had rows of seats facing the stage. Make miniature seats by cutting small ovals of brown paper and folding them in half.
Glue your rows of seats down to the base.
Add white strips vertically and horizontally to create the balcony and supports around the back of the theater.
Finish off your stage with stage curtains in red.
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