For a historical take on the inauguration hoopla flooding D.C., visit “American Treasures” at the Library of Congress. Within this permanent exhibition is a special installation dedicated to inaugural materials representing eighteen former presidents.

Among the highlights of “I Do Solemnly Swear…” is a ten-page manuscript of Washington’s first inaugural address, given on April 30,1789 in then-capital New York City. Sheet music from Jefferson’s inauguration — the first held in Washington, D.C., and the first for a previous president to be absent from (John Adams)–is also featured in the exhibition. A photo of Lincoln’s Inauguration on March 4, 1861,
courtesy of the Library of Congress, is shown at right.

If you can’t visit the exhibit you can learn more about selected objects on display online.
The exhibit is on view through April 30, 2005.