 Smithsonian Castle |
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Barack Obama
44th President of the United States
Barack Obama made history on November 4, 2008, when he became the first African American elected President of the United States.
The official theme for the 56th Presidential Inauguration, "Renewing America's Promise," is a vision that underscores the President-elect and Vice President-elect's commitment to restoring opportunity and possibility for all and re-establishing America's standing as a beacon of hope around the world.
"At this moment of great challenge and great change, renewing the promise of America begins with renewing the idea that in America, we rise or fall as one nation and one people," said President-elect Obama. "That sense of unity and shared purpose is what this inauguration will reflect."
During his inauguration President-elect Barack Obama will place his hand on the historic bible that was used by Abraham Lincoln in his first presidential inauguration 147 years ago and take the Oath of Office administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
The formal swearing-in program will begin at 11:30 a.m. on January 20, 2009, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building. |
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Smithsonian Celebrates the 2009 Presidential Inauguration with Exhibits and Programs
In celebration of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, the Smithsonian will feature exhibitions and public programs related to the presidency from Saturday, Jan. 17, through Tuesday, Jan. 20. The museums and programs are free and open to the public every day. The seven museums on the Mall are open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including inauguration day. The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Jan. 20, the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Castle will open early at 8 a.m. |
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Smithsonian National Mall Museum Events and Featured Exhibitions
See Inaugural broadcasts live on screens in the National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of the American Indian.
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- Renewing America's Promise January 17-19
Actors portraying American presidents will perform throughout the museum. In addition, there will be gallery talks, music, book signings and interpreters to help visitors appreciate the exhibits. Special programs will focus on Martin Luther King Jr. with speeches and other related programming.
- Featured exhibitions: First Ladies at the Smithsonian; Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life; America's New Birth of Freedom: Documents from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden; The Star-Spangled Banner; The Price of Freedom: Americans at War; and the Greensboro Lunch Counter.
- Book signings: Author Jim Bendat signs his book Democracy's Big Day January 18 1-3 p.m. and author Deborah Willis signs her book Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs January 19 and 20, 1-3 p.m.
- First Inaugural Debate Series, presented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture in association with the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Six debate teams are featured. Among them: Fayetteville State University vs. Voorhees College, two historically black institutions. The event celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first debates between historically black colleges. Monday, January 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Baird Auditorium.
- Out of Many: A Multicultural Festival of Music, Dance, and Story January 17-19, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., featuring music, dancing, and storytelling from a variety of cultural traditions including American Indian, African and African American, Asian and Asian Pacific American, Central and South American and European American.
- Featured exhibition: A Century Ago... "They Came as Sovereign Leaders"
Visitors are invited to write wishes for the future and attach them to Yoko Ono's Wish Tree in the museum's sculpture garden, January 18-20.
- Smithsonian Information Center
- Giving Voice to Hope,
the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and the National Museum of African American History and Culture offer storytelling performances addressing the journeys taken by African Americans and the meaning and importance of hope in this historic moment of our nation. Featured performers are Onawumi Jean Moss and Mitch Capel. January 18 and January 19, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Castle Commons.
- Presidential Film Festival, January 18-19 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Featured exhibitions: Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956-1968 and After 1968: Contemporary Artists and the Civil Rights Legacy, presented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture. January 19, Open House, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guided tour, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Celebrate African Music, live performances and films, January 18-19
- Special exhibitions and lectures will celebrate African leadership arts.
- Celebrate Asia in America! January 18-20, Artists' workshops for children and families, performances, and stories of Asian and Asian American celebratory traditions.
Off the Mall
- A large-scale, mixed media stenciled collage, by Shepard Fairey, depicting Barack Obama above the word "hope" will be on view by January 20. This iconic work was the central image for the Obama campaign. The collage will be on view just after the museum opens to the public January 17. It will be located on the first floor in the exhibition titled New Arrivals.
- Featured exhibitions: Presidents in Waiting (opens January 20); America's Presidents; One Life: The Mask of Lincoln
- Inauguration tours highlight works with an inaugural theme Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 at 12:30, 2 and 4 p.m.
- Featured exhibition: The Honor of Your Company Is Requested: President Lincoln's Inaugural Ball
Free shuttle bus service departs from the Smithsonian Castle on the Mall, January 17-19 at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Bus departs the Anacostia Community Museum at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to return to the Castle.
- Book signing by authors Deborah Willis and Kevin Merida: Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs January 17, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
- Featured exhibition: Jubilee: African American Celebration
- Inauguration Celebration Family Festival, January 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Special Inaugural Stamp Cancellation available January 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Featured exhibition: Abraham Lincoln Certified Plate Proofs
Smithsonian Museums on the Mall will be open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Exceptions
American History, January 20—open 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Smithsonian Castle—daily 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., January 20 open 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Anacostia Community Museum—open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum—11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Renwick Gallery—closed January 20.
The Constitution Ave. entrance at both the American History Museum and Natural History Museum will be closed on Tuesday, January 20. No wheelchair access at the Natural History Museum on the 20th.
Information subject to change
Metro
On January 20 the Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter and Smithsonian Metrorail stations will be closed all day.
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Helen Taft’s 1909 inaugural gown.
Photo Credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Six Indian chiefs passing in review before President Theodore
Roosevelt during his 1905 Inaugural parade.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Library of Congress, #LC-USZ62-560009.
National Portrait Gallery, Barack Obama by Shepard Fairey © Shepard Fairey/ObeyGiant.com
Abraham Lincoln by Alexander Gardner Albumen silver print 1865. This rarely displayed image was one of the last formal portraits of Lincoln, taken in February 1865.
Photo Credit: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
President Abraham Lincoln held his second inaugural ball in what is now the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery on March 6, 1865.
Unknown artist, Wood engraving on paper from Illustrated London News, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Reproduction
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