Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-08


OR to speak correctly, the Arts and
Industries Building-has just passed
the fiftieth anniversary of its first
opening, March 4, 1881, upon which
occasion the Inaugural Ball of President James
A. Garfield was held there To do this, how
ever, it was found necessary to lay some Of
the floors on damp concrete, and a result
they rotted out in less than 10 years and had
to be replaced with cement.
For this purpose 1t is said the building was
electrically decorated with ropes of garlands
and bunting, and near the base of each Of
the 80 pillars contained in the building was
a coat of arms emblazoned on a shield, and
fringed with American flags, harmonizing with
the dark, painted pedestals and the soft laven-
der fresco tints above.
THE rotunda was beautiful" the description
goes ON to say; ''itS octagonal width of so feet
i.ses into window arched dome above, sheer
30 feet from the floor, while at the points of
Intersection of the four grand Railways were
rs many sub-balconies, little platforms about
IS or 20 feet above the heads of the company,
where IS or 80 could sit or stand under the
swelling arches. Passing to the right and to
The west from this brilliant center, the guests
went into the second great hall, where PreSi-
dent Garfield stood receiving the hosts who
surged up to him, took his hand, murmured
inaudibly, and were pressed on by those be-
hind. Above was Mrs. Garfield, who sat en-
throned in the large western balcony, literally
emblazoned with notices and State heraldry.
1.-THE receiving party arrived early and were
m their places promptly at the appointed hour,
which was O'Clock; and the incessant hand
shaking was kept up until IL, when the dancing
began. None Of the receiving party joined the
dancers Neither President Garfield and his
wife nor ex-President and Mrs Hayes have
ever been dancers, and as they were excessively
fatigued by the ceremonies of the day, they
only made a circuit Of the building and then
retired, the new President and his family re-
turning to the White House, and Gen. and
Mrs. Hayes to the residence of Senator and
Mrs. Sherman"
A MOTHER account says:
''The Inauguration BAH was held in the
National MuSeum-one of the handsomeSt
buildings in the country. 1t Is designed in the
form of a Greek cross, the arms radiating from
an octagonal center, capped by q dome In
the spaces between the arms are four large
square halls, their outlines defined by rows OF
pillars and arches, and beyond these are
spacious corridors. These halls and corridors
form a magnificent ball room. Five thousand
holders of tickets found admittance early. in
the evening The Presidents party arrived In
good season. and by half-past o'clock
most brilliant reception was under way Presi-
dent Garfield, in fun evening costume, received
with dignity, supported by Messrs. Evarts,
6churz Maynard Bancroft, Hazen Tin full uni.
FORM Waite, Devens, Stanley Matthews and
John Sherman.
~The bah was attended by the diplomatic
corps and by many distinguished citizens.
There was great brilliancy Of dress displayed by
the ladies, and the scene was one of unusual
splendor The President retired about IL
O'Clock, but the dancing went on into the small
hours"
How remarkable it is, when We stop TO re-
feet. Here was notable event in American
history, attended by the President and MRS.
Garfield and by ex-President Hayes and Mrs.
Hayes, and yet, apparently, there is nothing
tangible left to commemorate it unless 1t Is the
costume worn by Mrs. Garfield at the time,
and exhibited in the period costume collection,
along with the dresses Of the other wives OF
the Presidents.
A FTER the ball. the finishing touches to
4 the building were continued and by Oc-
tober of the same year it was occupied by the
employees and opened to visitors. Since then
@ number Of social events have taken place
there but none to be compared with Garfields
Inaugural BAH. Indeed, the writer has per-
sonal recolections Of several special exhibitions
held in this building around 40 or more years