THEME: A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM

The Presidential Inauguration of 2009 took place as the nation prepared to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The President-elect took the oath of office and addressed the nation from the West Front of the United States Capitol, looking across the National Mall toward the Lincoln Memorial, where many of the sixteenth President’s immortal words are inscribed. Although some inaugural traditions have changed since Lincoln’s time, the swearing-in ceremony continues to symbolize the ideals of renewal, continuity, and unity that he so often expressed.

LUNCHEON MENU

FIRST COURSE:
Seafood Stew

SECOND COURSE:
Brace of American Birds, Sour Cherry Chutney, Molasses Sweet Potatoes

THIRD COURSE:
Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake, Sweet Cream Glacé

ABOUT THE INAUGURAL PAINTING

View of the Yosemite Valley, by Thomas Hill, reflects the majestic landscape of the American West and the dawn of a new era. As the country struggled to emerge from the turmoil of the Civil War, many Americans looked to the West for hope and inspiration. Artists such as Hill painted the vast, open Western landscape with a beauty and grandeur that eloquently evoked America’s future: a land of opportunity, optimism, and freedom.

Thomas Hill (1829-1908) appears to have first visited the Yosemite Valley in August 1865. He explored uncharted areas, making numerous oil sketches that he used to create his monumental vistas on canvas. His paintings struck a chord with Americans, and he became one of the most popular landscape artists of the nineteenth century.

Presidential and Vice Presidential Gifts

During the Inaugural Luncheon it is traditional for the President and Vice President to be presented with gifts by the Congress on behalf of the American people. The President and Vice President will each be presented with a framed official photograph taken of their swearing-in ceremony by a Senate photographer, as well as flags flown over the U.S. Capitol during the inaugural ceremonies.

The President and Vice President will also receive one-of-a-kind engraved crystal bowls, created by the Lenox Company of Lawrenceville, NJ. President Obama will receive a bowl depicting the White House on a crystal base inscribed with “Barack H. Obama, January 20, 2009, The Presidential Inaugural.” Vice President Biden will receive a bowl depicting the United States Capitol, on a crystal base inscribed with “Joseph R. Biden, Jr., January 20, 2009, The Vice Presidential Inaugural.” The bowls were designed by Timothy Carder and hand-cut by master glass-cutter Peter O’Rourke.

ENTERTAINMENT

Smithsonian Chamber Players

The Smithsonian Chamber Players have provided music for the inaugural luncheon since 1981. Directed by Kenneth Slowik, the group specializes in performing historical masterworks of the seventeenth through early twentieth centuries. The music they performed was a mixture of American repertoire pieces written for early nineteenth-century presidents, as well as some of the European compositions found in the extensive music library of Thomas Jefferson.