Fast Facts: Inaugural Luncheon

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.