“I Do Solemnly Swear...” Inaugural Materials from the Collections of the Library of Congress
Overview

“I Do Solemnly Swear...” Inaugural Materials from the Collections of the Library of Congress
Currier and Ives. Washington's reception by the Ladies, on Passing the Bridge at Trenton, N.J., April, 1789: on his way to New York to be inaugurated first President of the United States. New York: N. Currier, ca. 1845

Currier and Ives. Washington's reception by the Ladies, on Passing the Bridge at Trenton, N.J., April, 1789: on his way to New York to be inaugurated first President of the United States. New York: N. Currier, ca. 1845

The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest and most comprehensive presidential library. The Library has in its custody the papers of twenty-three presidents, including those men who founded the nation and led it through some of its greatest crises. Among these papers are key documents relating to the early presidential inaugurations.

A special installation within the American Treasures exhibition presents more than forty of these items including photographs, manuscripts, campaign posters, letters, broadsides, and inaugural speeches. This unique selection of items offers a glimpse into the history of American presidential inaugurations. Eighteen presidents will be featured in the display--George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, William Harrison, James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

The physical exhibit will be on view at the Library through May 7, 2005.