U.S. National Museum Decorated for Garfield Inaugural Ball

U.S. National Museum Decorated for Garfield Inaugural Ball

Description: The rotunda of the new United States National Museum (USNM), now the Arts and Industries Building (A&I), decorated for President James A. Garfield's and Chester A. Arthur's Inaugural Ball, March 4, 1881. This was the first event held in the new building. Electric lights were strung along the ceiling and the "Statue of America" in the rotunda held an electric lamp in her hand. Buntings and flags decorated the walls and a wooden floor was laid for the event. In this view of the rotunda, men are sitting at the base of the statue (center) and on the balcony (upper left). Creator/Photographer: Unidentified photographer Medium: Black and white photographic print Dimensions: 10 in x 8 in Date: 1881 Persistent URL: http://photography.si.edu/SearchImage.aspx?id=5677 Repository: Smithsonian Institution Archives Accession number: 37715A Image by Smithsonian Institution