Monday, January 20, 2025, marks the inauguration of our 47th President. Reflecting on past inaugurations recalls the image of a newly elected President with their hand on the Bible and a family member standing beside them. This ceremony traditionally takes place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Did you know that George Washington’s inauguration as the first President took place in New York City on April 30, 1789, on the balcony of Federal Hall? Originally NYC City Hall, the building was renamed Federal Hall when it became the Capital Building of the United States.
Join our June or November 2025 trips to visit the Federal Hall Memorial and see George Washington’s statue where his inauguration took place, along with the Bible!
The Bible used by George Washington is currently on display at Federal Hall.
An interesting fact: this Bible was borrowed from St. John’s Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons in New York City, as George Washington did not have his own Bible available at the location. It has since been used for the inaugurations of Presidents Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, and George H. W. Bush, whose 1989 inauguration coincided with the bicentennial year of Washington’s inauguration. The Bible was intended for use during the first inauguration of George W. Bush; however, inclement weather prevented its use. Despite this, the Bible was present in the Capitol Building under the care of three freemasons of St. John’s Lodge, in case the weather improved. In addition to its role in presidential inaugurations, this Bible has also been used in the funeral processions of Presidents Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
The Bible has also been used at the center-stone laying of the U.S. Capitol, the dedication of the Washington Monument, the centennials of the cornerstone laying of the White House, U.S. Capitol, and the Statue of Liberty, the 1964 World’s Fair, as well as the launching of the aircraft carrier, USS George Washington. It has certainly persevered!
Inside tours are available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
You can see George’s statue out front anytime, as it’s there 24/7.
If you’re a true American history buff, you can follow the route George and Martha executed post inauguration and walk the 5 minutes to St Paul’s Church. In 1789, a canopied pew at St. Paul’s Chapel was reserved for George Washington and his family. He continued to attend services at St. Paul’s until, at least August 1790, when the capital of the United States was moved to Philadelphia. On the wall beside the pew, hung a painting of one of the earliest known representations of the Great Seal of the United States which was commissioned by Trinity’s Vestry in 1789 to commemorate Washington’s inauguration. Depicted in this version of the seal is a turkey, favored by Benjamin Franklin, rather than the bald eagle, which ultimately became our national symbol. Although the pew has been removed, the painting is still displayed in its original location. St. Paul’s hours are daily 8:30AM – 6:00PM.
Two other locations that are not to be missed:
- City Park where on July 9, 1776, there was public reading of the Declaration of Independence by then General George Washington, to soldiers to bolster their determination to be free (it had been officially adopted on July 4, in Philadelphia, by the Continental Congress.)
- Fraunces Tavern hosted a “turtle feast” dinner in its Long Room on November 25, 1783, shortly after British troops left New York. George Washington used this occasion to bid farewell to his troops before retiring to Mount Vernon, unaware that he would return six years later as President.
- Join our June or November 2025 trips to visit the Federal Hall Memorial and see George Washington’s statue where his inauguration took place, along with the Bible!
Federal Hall National Memorial
Trinity Church near Federal Hall National Memorial.