Collection Highlights
Ulysses S. Grant at Cold Harbor
Date:
1864
Object Number:
PR.052.56.GrantUniform.Photos.
Medium:
Photograph
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Armchair
Object Number:
1916.7
Date:
1785-1789
Medium:
Mahogany; pine, poplar
Dimensions:
Overall: 37 3/4 x 24 1/2 x 21 in. ( 95.9 x 62.2 x 53.3 cm )
Marks:
Label: brass plaque on crest rail (left) inscribed "USED BY PRESIDENT U.S. GRANT/ AT HIS INAUGURATION MARCH 4, 1873"
Label: brass plaque on crest rail (center) inscribed "CHAIR USED AT THE INAUGURATION OF/ GEORGE WASHINGTON/ AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITE
Description:
Mahogany Federal-style armchair; tri-lobed crest rail, straight stiles, and pierced slat with interlacing design with a central four-leaf flower with bellflowers below; serpentine arms; square seat upholstered over the rail with serpentine front rail and brass tacks at lower edge; square molded legs with side, rear, and medial stretchers; brass plaques affixed beneath seat rail describes use of chair in inaugurations of Washington, Grant, and Garfield; seat reupholstered.
Gallery Label:
After being sworn in as president of the United States on the balcony of New York City's Federal Hall on April 30, 1789, George Washington sat in this armchair in the Senate chamber, where he delivered his inaugural address to members of Congress. The chair was subsequently used for the inaugurations of Ulysses S. Grant in 1873 and James A. Garfield in 1881.
Bibliography:
Bach, Debra Schmidt. "Witness to history: Furniture and historic relics." The Magazine Antiques 167 (2005): 162-167.
Credit Line:
Gift of Edmund B. Southwick
Provenance:
Federal Hall, New York City; to William Coventry Henry Waddell (1802-1844); to his descendant Edmund B. Southwick
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
