Inauguration Day, 1961. Elmer and Eleanor on their way to the Ball."The inauguration involved a swearing-in ceremony, an inaugural address, an informal reception, then dashing home to get dressed for a formal reception in the evening in the capitol rotunda, followed by the inaugural ball at the Prom Center. It was a long, festive day full of activities. The grand march at the inaugural ball was a special tradition. The governor and his lady would make a formal entrance and then lead a march, followed by other couples. In turn, one couple would go left and the other right, and walk around the ballroom until they met as a foursome. Then every foursome would split, one going left, the other right, until they met as a group of eight that would proceed as a unit. It produced a sequence of rotating and churning that was quite a spectacle to watch. We marched and danced until the wee hours of the morning, but I must confess my mind was elsewhere. Dancing was fun, but it was not what I was elected to do."
Courtesy H. B. Fuller Company
"A Man's Reach -- A Transforming Life" is on display through August 15 in the Exhibit Gallery, Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus.
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