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U.S. National Museum Decorated for Garfield Inaugural Ball

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
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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
Standard number
44173 or MAH-44173
Restrictions & Rights
No restrictions
Type
Photographic print
Interior
Event
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
Record ID
siris_sic_9252
Metadata Usage (text)
Usage conditions apply

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