Tower of Books provides insight to volumes written about Lincoln

How many books have been written about President Abraham Lincoln?

A 35-foot-high Tower of Books constructed near Washington’s Ford’s Theatre provides a good idea.

The 15,000 titles written about the Civil War president stands inside a giant stairwell at the theatre’s Center for Education and Leadership. Constructed from 6,800 “aluminum” books, 205 authentic book covers were used to create the tower. The structure is part of a $60 million regeneration project at the theatre where Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.

Renovations to Ford's Theatre began in July 2010 and the Center for Education and Leadership officially opened to the public on Feb. 17. The Center is located opposite the theatre. The theatre itself was re-opened in 1968 after falling into a state of disrepair.

Actor John Wilkes Booth shot the 16th president of the United States in the head while he watched a performance of “Our American Cousin” on April 14, 1865.

At the time of the assassination, the Civil War was drawing to a close and days earlier Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee had officially surrendered.

After the murder, Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, fled on horseback and went into hiding with fellow conspirator David Herold. The fugitives were tracked to a barn in northern Virginia by Union soldiers 12 days later.

Booth was shot dead after refusing to surrender, but Herold gave himself up, was sentenced to death on July 6 and was hanged.

For more than 40 years, visitors have traveled to Ford’s Theatre from all over the world, according to theatre director Paul Tetreault, noting their eagerness to learn more about Lincoln and his presidency.

“With the addition of the Center for Education and Leadership, learners of all ages can delve deeper into our American history through new exhibits, engaging videos and creative programming,” Tetreault added. “We are thrilled to usher in this new chapter in the history of Ford's Theatre and to showcase how Lincoln's leadership and legacy resonates in our world today.”