Grant Hall
Grant Hall was the site of the military tribunal where those involved in the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln were tried
Grant Hall is part of the former Federal Penitentiary and the location of the military tribunal where eight suspects in the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln were tried. The trial was held from May to June, 1865. The courtroom is on the third floor of Grant Hall, up two flights of stairs. (There is no elevator due to the historic nature of the building.) Once a quarter Grant Hall is opened to the public with reenactors and exhibits depicting the trial.
The original penitentiary and gallows have been torn down, but the courtroom was restored based on drawings of the tribunal and written descriptions from the time. Although the courtroom has been renovated to appear as it did at this time, most of what you see is not original. The room itself feels smaller than drawings of it during the trial. It’s not hard to imagine it feeling cramped and stuffy when full of reporters, spectators, and court officials.
The use of a military tribunal to try civilians was controversial even at the time, but President Johnson agreed with his Attorney General that the assassination was a war crime since it happened prior to the end of the Civil War. Ultimately one conspirator (Edmund Spangler) was sentenced to six years in prison, three conspirators (Samuel Mudd, Samuel Arnold, and Michael O’Laughlen) were sentenced to life in prison, and four (George Atzerodt, David Herold, Lewis Powell, and Mary Surratt) were sentenced to death by hanging. Mary was the first woman to be executed by the federal government. The gallows were constructed in the penitentiary courtyard, where the tennis courts stand today. The executed conspirators were then buried in a grassy spot next to 3rd Avenue in front of the tennis courts; a plaque shows the location. They were disinterred two years later and returned to their families for reburial. Check out the historic photos in exhibit rooms that allow you to look out the windows and see where the gallows and penitentiary would have been located in 1865.
Some say Mary’s ghost still haunts Grant Hall, but I did not witness anything spectral on the sunny afternoon of my visit. Many of the props on display are from the 2010 movie The Conspirator, which focuses on the story of Mary Surratt.
Since Grant Hall is located on a military installation, there are increased security measures for visitors. When you arrive through the 2nd Street Gate, you will be asked to fill out visitor paperwork and show a valid photo ID. No backpacks or large bags are allowed, and adventurers arriving via car will have their vehicle searched. The security process can take up to 15 minutes without a line, which is included in the total time for this adventure.
Details about the quarterly open houses are posted on the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Facebook page. Look at their events to find the open house information, including a link for the required RSVP page.
I found my visit to Grant Hall to be a bit underwhelming. The exhibit feels temporary as there is little explanation about the trial or the restoration of the space. I don’t enjoy interacting with reenactors, who may have provided more information had I spoken with them. It is helpful to do some research ahead of time so you can appreciate and understand what you’re looking at.
Like this adventure? Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates with the latest adventures on the blog, ideas for things to do in DC, and tips for exploring the District.
Address
Fort McNair, P Street and 2nd Street SW
Metro Station
- Navy Yard-Ballpark (GR)
- Waterfront (GR)
Directions
Enter Fort McNair using the 2nd Street Gate, just past P Street. Grant Hall is in the same building as the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. After going through security, use this map of Fort McNair to locate Grant Hall. Adventurers arriving by car should follow the red line, and adventurers on foot should follow the blue line. Sidewalks are not available on the entire route indicated for vehicles, but pedestrians can cut through a parking lot to avoid walking on the road.
Cost
Free
Hours
Public Open Houses are held quarterly on the first Saturday of the second month of each quarter (February, May, August, and November) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Upcoming Open Houses:
- August 4, 2018
- November 3, 2018
- February 2, 2019
- May 4, 2019
Length of Adventure
1 hour
Website
https://www.army.mil/article/100383/Grant_Hall_renovations_complete
