Inaugurations

Robert M. Walker and Joe Yasbeck, Jr. work on a papier-mache figure that became a hammer-swinging Uncle Sam on a railroad organization's Inaugural Parade float.

Actor Phil Harris served as a Master of Ceremony and performed with Actress Alice Faye at the Inaugural Gala held January 19, 1949.

Actor Phil Harris served as a Master of Ceremony and performed with actress Alice Faye at the Inaugural Gala held January 19, 1949.

Conductor Sam Jack Kaufman directed the Loew's Capitol Theatre Orchestra which performed at the Inaugural Gala held January 19, 1949.

The United States Navy Band, led by Charles Brendler and Richard E. Townsend, performed at the Inaugural Gala held January 19, 1949. The are posed before the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Photograph of the Medallion featuring President Harry S. Truman and an eagle, created by sculptor Julio Kilenyi, which was given out at a Democratic National Finance Committee inaugural luncheon held January 19, 1949.

Floatbuilder Earl Hargrove constructed paper-mache animals at the Washington, D.C. National Guard Armory for Inaugural Parade floats. The longhorn appeared on the Texas float, the eagle served as bowpiece on the Missouri Float, and the other cattle pictured were placed on various Kentucky floats.

Paul Riedel and Earl Hargrove discuss an artist's sketch from which they constructed floats for the Inaugural Parade. On the wall are sketches for floats for (top, left to right) North Carolina and Kentucky, (center) Communications Workers of America and an early Kentucky sketch, (bottom) Missouri and Texas. Partially blocked by Riedel's hat is another Kentucky float sketch.

Design for the Missouri Inaugural Parade Float drawn by Frank B. Nuderscher of St. Louis, Missouri. The Missouri float, constructed at the Washington, D.C. National Guard Armory, led all other floats in the Inaugural Parade held January 20, 1949.

Conductor Richard E. Townsend served as Assistant Leader for the United States Navy Band which performed at the Inaugural Gala held January 19, 1949.