U.S. National Museum Decorated for Garfield Inaugural Ball

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Object Details

Author: Unknown
Subject: Garfield, James A (James Abram) 1831-1881; Arthur, Chester Alan 1829-1886; United States National Museum; Arts and Industries Building; United States President (1881 : Garfield)

Category: Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Summary: The United States National Museum (USNM) Building decorated for the March 4, 1881, inaugural ball of James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur, the first public use of the museum building. A broadside for the inaugural (neg # 72-1115) describes the decorations as "artistic, munificent, and attractive, embellished by the coats-of-arms of the different States, handsomely festooned with State flags and seals. In the central rotunda is the colossal 'Statue of America,' illustrative of peace, justice, and liberty; grasping in her uplifted hand an electric light, indicative of the skill, genius, progress, and civilization of the 19th century."
Contained within: Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 32, Folder: 10
Contact information: Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

1881

Physical description: Color: Black and White; Size: 10w x 8h; Type of Image: Interior; Event; Medium: Photographic print

Smithsonian Archives - History Div

Topic: Garfield Inaugural Ball; Event; Interiors; Buildings, Openings; Presidents; Inaugurations; Statue of America (Statue); Museum buildings; Bunting (Cloth); Statues; Rotundas; Electric lighting; Inaugural Balls; United States--Presidents; Electricity; Stencil work