Did you know that the theatre that President Lincoln was assassinated in is located in DC? Not only that, but that it is a functional theatre that puts on musicals and plays and a museum on the history of President Lincoln and how the background of the assassination conspiracy led by John Wilkes Booth? Come visit the Ford’s Theatre among other unpopular museums and historical sites in DC!
Most tourists know about the popular museums part of the Smithsonian Institution, the zoo, the National Gallery of Art, and even the National Portrait Gallery as it houses the Presidential Portraits. However, DC is home to more than 50 museums exploring various topics that may interest you and your children. This article lists a few unpopular museums that have created engaging spaces for children. The best part about visiting some of these unpopular museums is that they do not tend to be that busy, which means no super long lines or insane crowds to navigate.
Ford’s Theatre- Ford’s Theatre is always at the top of my list of historical sites tourists should visit with their children when they come to DC. The theatre is the site where John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln on April 14, 1865. The theatre that stands today is a reconstruction of the site as it looked in 1865, down to the decorations around the booth seats that he and his wife Martha sat in that night. The main part of the museum is located in the basement with exhibitions on President Lincoln’s life, Civil War milestones, and the assassination conspiracy led by John Wilkes Booth. It is self-guided and takes about 30 minutes to get through. The main floor houses the theatre, which visitors can see when no play or musical performance occurs. That’s right! The theatre is functional and has A Christmas Carol during the holiday season and a new musical every spring. This site is not on everyone’s list; however, if your child is learning about President Lincoln or enjoys participating in musicals and plays, this could be an exciting museum to break up the larger and more popular museums on your list.
Tudor Place Historic House and Garden- The Tudor Place Historic House and Garen is a museum that explores the stories of six generations of descendants of Martha Washington and the enslaved and free people who lived and worked at this Georgetown landmark for nearly two centuries. The museum’s website states, “by examining their legacy, we challenge ourselves and our visitors to celebrate the triumphs and to confront the complexities of the past.” Tudor Place is a unique site as the exhibitions focus on the historical significance of ancestral timelines. They also have virtual and onsite programs that explore this concept regarding US history and one’s personal history. The museum has an ongoing series of child events titled Tudor Tots that allow children to engage with the museum’s content in a way they understand and is relevant to their ancestral timeline. The next one includes a craft and a story time that explains the topic of a family tree. The museum is guided tours of groups of 10 people, including children, that are approximately 50 minutes long.
The International Spy Museum- The International Spy Museum is home to the “largest collection of international espionage artifacts on public display” (website). Every visitor also gets the chance to create a spy profile for an undercover mission. They can move through the museum’s exhibitions with their badge and pen to unlock different parts of the mission. The International Spy Museum staff creates exhibits and interactive galleries with children in mind, but who doesn’t like the chance to create their spy profile and go through a museum to unlock an undercover mission as they learn about the history of espionage? I know that I do! When entering the museum, you are guided to the second floor to create your profiles for the secret mission; however, after that, the rest of the time is self-guided and can take about two hours to get through.
Unfortunately, there is a stigma that the only museums worth visiting in DC are the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, the Zoo, the National Museum of Air and Space, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Portrait Gallery. DC has many interesting museums and historical sites that could be geared more toward you and your child’s interests than the more popular museums. Look out for other articles in this series dedicated to more unpopular museums in DC to help make your next trip more enjoyable!
-Lindsay Guarnieri
Junior Girl, Curtorial
Girl Museum