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Inauguration 1889 - A Starting Point
Album Description
This idea for an album began with a single inauguration photo and a little bit of curiosity. The stereoscopic image includes the words "Entered according to act of Congress in the year of 1889 by E.W. Kilburn in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D.C."
I asked myself, "Who was inaugurated as United States President in 1889?" A quick search identified Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President. What do our students know about Benjamin Harrison? Or about any president other than the big names, for that matter?
My idea is to start with an image of any inauguration and ask students to examine it for clues or to build some knowledge based on the bibliographic information. How else might they begin to accumulate information about the president who was inaugurated in the year of the photo?
I think this research is pretty simple and fact-based, but when a student knows nothing about a president, it's a start. By following individual research paths, they can also learn about the inauguration ceremonies of their presidents.
This album will focus on Benjamin Harrison, and anyone is welcome to add resources. I would also like to see more suggested teaching strategies for any inauguration and any president - especially less familiar ones.
What else will students find at loc.gov once they have chosen a president?
3 - 5 6 - 8 9 - 12 Social Studies/History U.S. Presidents Inaugurations Presidential Elections
Hurrah! Inauguration Day, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Teaching Notes
Closely study the stereographic photograph. What details do you see? Make a class list of details you have observed.
What do the words tell you? Can you learn the name of the president who was inaugurated in 1889?
Why do you think these people are gathered together on Inauguration Day?
What do you know about Inauguration Day?
Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/2023636802/
Reference note
Summary
- Boys and men stand on a sidewalk waving papers and looking at the photographer. Includes African American and white people.
Created / Published
- Littleton, N.H. : Photographed and published by Kilburn Brothers, c1889.
Genre
- Portrait photographs--1880-1890
- Group portraits--1880-1890
- Stereographs--1880-1890
- Photographic prints--1880-1890
Notes
- - 14074-U U.S. Copyright Office.
- - Title transcribed from item.
- - No. 5055.
Digital Id
- stereo 1s06078 https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/stereo.1s06078
Wyoming Becomes a State
Teaching Notes
On July 4, 1890, the territory of Wyoming entered the Union as the forty-fourth state. Almost thirty years prior, in 1868, the Wyoming Territory was formed from parts of Nebraska, Dakota, Idaho, and Utah. The advent of railroad transportation allowed Wyoming to become a ranching hub. Livestock were raised and grazed on Wyoming prairies and, when the time came, shipped off to market via rail.
Also in 1890, Wyoming became the first U.S. state to extend suffrage to women, thirty years prior to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.
from https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/mapping-a-growing-nation/online-exhibition.html#obj36
Rand McNally & Co. Wyoming. Chicago: Rand McNally & Co., 1891. Printed map. Geography and Map Division, Library of Congress (036.00.00)
//www.loc.gov/exhibits/mapping-a-growing-nation/images/buell0036_enlarge.jpg
Benjamin Harrison Papers
Teaching Notes
The Library of Congress has a collection of the papers of Benjamin Harrison.
What are some examples from this collection that interest you? Why?
What can you learn from the Articles and Essays tab? What additional resources are available from the Articles and Essays page?
What can you find by entering inauguration as a search in this collection? Do they give you a better idea of what the 1899 inauguration was like?
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Teaching Notes
In small groups, make a list of facts about Benjamin Harrison that you think are important. What do these facts tell you about him as a person and as a political leader? How would you describe his character? Do you think anyone would disagree with the opinions of Harrison that you read here?
Look through each of the categories on the lefthand menu. How do these categories add to your understanding?
Click on the Collections link at the top. What is your favorite piece from the collection? Why?
Click on the About Us link. What does that tell you about the organization behind this website and the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site?
8475945531_5e744c2600_k.jpg
Teaching Notes
Investigate this photo to look for clues about this president.
- What can you learn directly from what you see?
- What can you infer about what you see?
- What evidence in the photo can you point to that backs up your inferences?
Dig deeper into this president's inauguration in the Inaugural Investigation Inquiry Starter Set.
