Existing comment:
The Inaugural Parade Tradition
This montage showing four presidential inaugural parades along 15th St., NW is based on artist Earl Minderman's 1980 visioning of President Thomas Jefferson's inaugural parade as well as historic photos of the inauguration of Presidents Garfield, Wilson, and Reagan. At top left Jefferson, who started the inaugural parade tradition in 1805, is shown on horseback, wearing a red coat. James Garfield's 1881 parade (bottom left), the most elaborate to that time, featured 39 temporary ceremonial arches along the parade route. Woodrow Wilson's second inaugural (top right) took place in 1917. At bottom right are Nancy and Ronald Reagan in their limousine during their first inauguration, 1981.
The building most prominent in each picture is the Rhodes Tavern, which witnessed every inaugural parade from Jefferson to Reagan. Rhodes Tavern, a designated landmark, was torn down in 1984.
Montage Designer: Anne Martinez
The repairs and restoration of this call box and three others were made possible in 2009 by the Rhodes Tavern - DC Heritage Society, Joseph N. Grano, project manager, with generous contributions from local organizations and businesses, as well as individuals from around the region. Art consultant: Anne Martinez, fabrication and installation: Gelberg Signs, painting and gold leaf design: Frank Arkwright.
Art on Call is sponsored by Cultural Tourism DC, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the District Department of Transportation, and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Funding was provided by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC Creates Public Art Program.
The 22-carat gilding of this box was made possible by a special contribution from the Old Ebbitt Grill. |