‘See Washington inaugurated amid a day of festivities’

   
It was on April 30, 1789 when George Washington was inaugurated president of these United States, and every year the Masonic brethren of New York re-enact that historic moment. This year is no exception, so get down to Federal Hall to witness the celebration. (If you’re familiar with the debate over whether the first president said “So help me God” at the end of his oath of office, click here for an argument in favor—unless I’ll see you at dinner that night, in which case you can listen to me explain it all.)

From the publicity:


Please join us April 30 at 11:45 a.m. as we proclaim our heritage and commemorate the inauguration of our first President George Washington and the Heroes of 1776, many of whom were Free and Accepted Masons.

Two hundred and twenty-nine years ago, on April 30, 1789, George Washington was sworn in as the nation’s first president and gave the first inaugural address. The American government was based in New York that year. Congress had met for the first time on March 4, 1789 in the city’s former city hall, at the corner of Wall Street and Nassau Street, which a year earlier had been redesigned by Pierre Charles L’Enfant in the Federal Architecture style—the first such building design in America—thus the building was renamed Federal Hall.

This event is sponsored by the George Washington Inauguration Reenactment Committee of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York.

A full luncheon will be served after the ceremony, in a private room upstairs, for $10 per person.


In addition, Federal Hall will have a daylong celebration of the historic event.

At 10 a.m., the Old Barracks Fifes and Drums will perform 18th century music on the front steps of Federal Hall.

At 10:30, see a debate—“Conflict and the Constitution”—between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

At 11:45 see the Washington inauguration re-enactment.

At 1:30 p.m., “George Washington’s journey from Virginia to the inauguration in New York City, presented by Norman Goben.

At 2:30, a presentation on John Jay, portrayed by Phil Webster.


On top of all that, Federal Hall offers a museum exhibit through the end of the month. From the publicity:

Many Faces of George Washington

Federal Hall is very excited to host a traveling exhibit from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History titled “The Many Faces of George Washington.”

The exhibit presents the many facets of Washington’s leadership through dazzling color graphics of paintings, photographs and iconic objects from the Mount Vernon Collection.

The exhibit will be on display on the second floor balcony until April 30. Stop by and check it out!


And of course the Rangers give tours of Federal Hall at 10 a.m., and 1, 2, and 3 p.m. every day.