President Garfield's Inaugural Ball

This is an engraving of President James Garfield's inaugural ball held on March 4, 1881 for the first time in a Smithsonian building. Garfield and his wife, First Lady Lucretia Garfield, are seen in the foreground greeting guests. The columns are decorated with shields framed by flags. On the back wall are the initials of Garfield and Vice President Chester Arthur, and to the very back is a statue entitled "The Statue of the American" with electric torch.