Published January 13, 2015
2005 Inaugural Luncheon
— Takes place in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol.
— Follows the Inaugural ceremonies.
— Has been a tradition for more than a century.
— Attended by president, vice president, congressional leaders and 200 other invited guests.
2005 Congressional Inaugural Theme: "A Vision of America"
— Celebrates: celebrates the centennial of Theodore Roosevelt's inauguration in 1905 and the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition reaching the Pacific in 1805.
— Incorporates flavors found in the cuisines of both eras although a century apart.
Themed Menu
Main Dish
— Includes wild game from the Midwest and seafood prepared in a cream sauce popular in the late 19th century.
Historic Dessert Notes
— President Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed ending an elaborate meal with a simple steamed pudding.
— Lewis and Clark foraged the land for a bountiful harvest of fruits and berries.
The 2005 Inaugural Luncheon Menu
— First Course: Scalloped crab and lobster.
— Second Course: Roasted Missouri quail with chestnuts and brined root vegetables.
— Third Course: Steamed lemon pudding and apple wild cherry compote.
Table Setting
— Elegant china with woodland design.
— Amber-colored, pressed velvet tablecloths.
— Centerpieces made of berries, leaves and roses.
2005 Inaugural Luncheon Gifts
Tradition
— Congress presents the president and vice president with several gifts on behalf of the American people.
Traditional Gifts
— Framed official photograph of their swearing-in ceremony.
— 8' by 12' flags flown over the U.S. Capitol, presented in wooden cases.
— Crystal Inaugural gifts crafted by Lenox Incorporated since 1989 for the luncheon.
The 2005 Crystal Inaugural Gifts
— A pair of lead crystal hurricane lamps.
— 18" high.
— Lamps rest on silver-plated bases.
— Bases engraved with the President's name and "January 20, 2005".
— The shades are bordered with patterns found in the wall panels of the U.S. Capitol.
— President's: engraved with hand-etched renderings of the White House in the shades.
— Vice president's : engraved with hand-etched renderings of the U.S. Capitol in the shades.
Inaugural Luncheon Painting
— Tradition since the 1981 Inaugural Luncheon.
— A painting chosen specifically for the occasion is hung behind the president at the head table.
2005 Inaugural Luncheon Painting
— Wind River, Wyoming.
— Painted by Albert Bierstadt, a premier 19th century artist.
— Bierstadt painted it following his visit to the Rocky Mountains in 1859.
— 5x6.
— Evokes the landscapes that Lewis and Clark explored and the beauty that inspired Roosevelt to conserve the nations vast wilderness.
— On loan by the Philip Anschutz Collection in Denver.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/fast-facts-inaugural-luncheon