The Death of Abraham Lincoln at the Petersen House

he Petersen House (House Where Lincoln Died) at 516 10th street was the home of William and Anna Petersen. On the night of April 14 1865 the mortally wounded president was carried to a back bedroom in this house. The Petersen family aided as they could although on this night their home was no longer their own. Over 90 people would come and go through the house to pay their last respects to the dying president. Soldiers stood guard at the front door and were posted on the roof to keep the growing crowds at bay. While doctors cared for the president the Petersen family and some of the boarders spent the night in the basement. At 722 am April 15 1865 Abraham Lincoln died in the back bedroom of this humble house.