Get a Room!

On May 7th, 1789 President George Washington attended a ball in his honor, which became the model for the official inaugural ball, held for Madison ten years later! From Madison's inaugural to the present day, this celebration has become tradition, though I'm sure it was not the media event it has become today.

Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, then the special ball was held a week later in New York, as it was the temporary seat of the US federal government. The event was located in a building on Broadway near Wall Street. Martha, his wife, could not attend as she was packing up things at Mt. Vernon before she left for "the Big Apple". Can you imagine that kind of thing happening today. The "little woman" at home attending to domestic chores?!

Anyway, George arrived along with some other statesmen and their wives, and even danced a couple dances! It is said he liked to dance, was graceful, didn't step on anyone's toes, and held up a good conversation. It is said he liked the minuet! Vice President John Adams and family were there as were some French and Spanish dignitaries. Eliza Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton's wife, recorded some of her impressions in a memoir.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had their official parties, too, but still sedate, and dignified as was befitting the office. By 1809, Dolly Madison threw a huge gala for James Madison, her husband. 400 people in attendance at Long's Hotel in Washington DC. She, being her flamboyant self, got the ball rolling so to speak for the events we now witness. Bigger, grander, more celebrity-attended, more "can you top this"! And we can look forward to this now every four years.

And having been to one, I can speak from experience. Even though it now occurs in January, and the weather is generally extremely cold, no one is bundled up against the wind and/or snow. Shoulders are bared, cleavages exposed in deep V-neck gowns, lots of foundation, powder and lip liner, and yes, a great deal of botox. Men and women's faces, as the evening goes on, are flushed with excitement, fueled with cocktails.

People talk to one person, while looking over their shoulder to see if they are missing anything or anyone better to attack with copious qualities of charm and influence. It's quite a spectacle. And actually, the President and Mrs. must attend more than one ball. They make the rounds, have a chat, an official dance and then they're off to the next. And now days, we have the overt PDA. Get a room!

 What would the founding fathers think if they were a fly on the wall?!