Rotunda of the U.S. National Museum Decorated for Garfield Inaugural Ball

Summary

The southeast corner of the Rotunda of the new United States National Museum building, now the Arts and Industries Building, decorated for President James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur's Inaugural Ball, March 4, 1881. This was the first event held in the building. Buntings and flags decorated the walls and a wooden floor was laid for the event. The image shows the southeast balcony. On each side of the opening are carved plaques. A spiral staircase leads up to the balcony.

Subject

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

Category

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Contained within

Smithsonian Institution Archives Record Unit 562 Box 1 Folder A&I History of

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

March 4, 1881

Restrictions & Rights

No restrictions

Topic

• Staircases
• Inaugurations
• Openings
• Balconies
• Inaugural Balls
• Museum openings
• Stencil work
• Bunting (Cloth)
• Plaques, plaquettes
• Rotundas
• Garfield Inaugural Ball
• Presidents
• Event

Form/Genre

• Photographic print
• Interior
• Event

ID Number

SIA2009-0159 or 7037

Physical description

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

Full Record

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