FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…

INTERSTATE PROVIDES MOVING AND STORAGE TO LINCOLN MEMORABILIA FOR FORD'S THEATRE RENOVATION

SPRINGFIELD, VA, – Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services is proud to announce Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC entrusted Interstate to provide the packing and moving of 142-year old historical clothing and artifacts during the 18 month renovation at the Ford's Theatre. Interstate was honored to handle the clothing that Abraham Lincoln wore on April 14, 1865, as well as the derringer pistol used by actor John Wilkes Booth who shot Lincoln in the head and killing him.

Interstates contract includes carefully packing Lincoln's bloodstained garments and 400 of Lincoln objects – including the diary and original door to the president's box, as well as the hoods worn by the conspirators when they were hanged. Interstate used it's uniquely patented UltraPak™ method which entailed wrapping and padding the irreplaceable antiques onsite at the Ford's Theatre before being moved to provide maximum protection to these irreplaceable antiques. These items were on display in the Theatre's basement Lincoln Museum since 1932 before they were transported by Interstate, led by a police escort, to a National Park Service storage center in Maryland for storage.

While wearing white cotton gloves and meticulously removing Lincoln's bloodstained clothing from the mannequin in the Lincoln Museum's display case, Gloria Swift, a Civil War expert and curator of the Ford's Theatre Museum, said, "It is really neat to get the clothing off and really look at it." Of Lincoln's black broadcloth pants, she said, "I didn't notice, we've got some bloodstains here on the knees, and I never noticed that, as it was in the [display] case." Swift added, "There are bloodstains also on the black, double-breasted frockcoat he wore that evening." The coat was made for Lincoln's second inauguration and his clothing is linked to one of the most tragic moments in American history.

"It's almost indescribable," Swift said of touching Lincoln's clothing. "It is very chilling in some cases, knowing what you're handling, it's also very exciting," She added, "Because to me the objects are a true connection to the past…They're not just things. These are real items [linked] to a real story."

Ford's Theatre personnel weren't the only shocked and awed members associated with this historically significant packing, moving and storage project. Marius Horgos, a member of the moving crew from Interstate Worldwide Relocation and a native of Romania said, "My palms were sweaty as I watched the clothing being carefully unboxed." He added, "I've traveled a great deal in Europe and in the United States, but Abraham Lincoln is a very special figure to me. He freed the African American people. Even my voice is shaking." Another member of the Interstate moving crew, Thomas Blickard, said, "I have two grandsons, and I will now be able to tell them both that I've seen Lincoln's 142-year old, bloodstained clothes with my own two eyes." He concluded, "This is quite an honor for me personally and for my employer [Interstate Worldwide Relocation] to be trusted to handle this very tedious and historically significant project."

About Ford's Theatre
In the fall of 1861, John T. Ford came to Washington, DC and leased the First Baptist Church in which he set about turning into a music hall. After a long run of success, a fire destroyed the building on December 30, 1862. Undaunted, Ford raised money for new construction and reopened its doors February 28, 1863. In the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination Ford's Theatre closed and in 1866 the theater was bought from Ford by the Federal Government.

Ford's Theatre again reopened its doors in 1968, more than a hundred years after the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford's Theatre has been one of the most visited sites in the nation's capital. Ford's Theatre has enthralled visitors because of its unique place in United States history, and its mission to celebrate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and explore the American experience through theatre and education. Ford's Theatre Society works with the National Park Service in a rare and successful public-private partnership to present the Theatre's nearly one million visitors each year with a high quality historic and cultural experience. Together, both organizations work to enhance the vibrancy of the historic site, an important tool for promoting the ideals of leadership, humanity and wisdom espoused by Abraham Lincoln.

Interstate Worldwide Relocation

Established in 1943 and recognized for Top Hat Service, Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services is part of the Interstate family of companies encompassing a worldwide group of relocation management, transportation, and logistics management solutions serving government, corporate, and individual clients. Interstate is a $100+ million dollar enterprise employing more than 300 people, maintaining a fleet of over 300 vehicles, and consisting of over 1,000 global service partners. Interstate distinguishes itself with key industry certifications, including ISO 9001:2008 for all entities and facilities, FAIM-ISO for International business, and numerous prestigious awards including the unprecedented 6th Department of Defense SDDC Quality Award, nine 1st Place Fleet Safety awards from the American Moving and Storage Association, the National Capital Business Ethics award, as well as the Blue Diamond Quality First award. Interstate has a long history of community and philanthropic generosity including 17 years supporting the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. For more information about the Interstate group of global companies, please call 800.745.6683, email info@invan.com.