The Golden Invitation to the 40th Anniversary Statehood Celebration for California, Sent to President Benjamin Harrison
This piece was of such importance to Harrison that it is mentioned by name in his Last Will and Testament.
Acquired by us directly from the Harrison descendants, it has never been offered for sale before
The Society of California Pioneers is among the oldest and most exclusive organizations in California, comprised of people tracing their family's arrival in that state to before 1850. In 1890, the organization set about celebrating the...
Acquired by us directly from the Harrison descendants, it has never been offered for sale before
The Society of California Pioneers is among the oldest and most exclusive organizations in California, comprised of people tracing their family's arrival in that state to before 1850. In 1890, the organization set about celebrating the 40th anniversary of the statehood of California, and invited none other than the President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, to whom they sent a unique plaque invitation, made of gold.
The invitation was made of solid gold, with the emblem of the order beautifully enameled. The text of the invitation engraved upon the plate read in part, "On behalf of the Society of California Pioneers and the Native Sons of the Golden West, we extend to yourself and suite a cordial invitation to honor us with your presence at the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the admission of the State of California into the Union, to be held in this city on September 9th next. Assuring you of a hearty welcome and trusting that you may be able to accept, we have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servants. Henry B. Rubs (Chairman), H. H. Taylor (Secretary), etc…" This is that original artifact.
In 1891, President Harrison undertook a grand transcontinental journey to the West as part of the Centennial celebration of the establishment of the U.S. government under the Constitution. Harrison saw it an opportunity to link the East and West Coasts, as well as to visit states recently admitted to the Union. The presidential train departed Washington on Monday, April 13, 1891, and proceeded to make a large loop through the country, traveling through nineteen states – Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The journey covered nearly 10,000 miles and was widely covered in the press. Though Harrison missed this banquet (which was held in 1890), he did meet with the Pioneers organization during this 1891 trip.
Thought President Harrison did not attend, he cherished this piece of history. In fact, it was of such importance to him that it is mentioned by name in his Last Will and Testament.
We acquired it directly from the Harrison descendants, and it has never before been offered for sale.
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