Color Your Own George Washington Inaugural Buttons

On April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City, George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States. The ceremony was a grand occasion with crowds of spectators gathered to watch Washington take the oath of office.

It is possible that spectators in the crowd were wearing patriotically decorated buttons, like the buttons featured in this craft, that were thought to have been first produced for Washington's 1789 inauguration. Unlike most modern political buttons, these were meant to be sewn onto clothing.

Now with the Museum's special coloring page, you can color your own inaugural buttons commemorating the inauguration of POTUS1.

Share your completed buttons with us @amrevmuseum on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Scroll through the gallery below to view real examples of inaugural buttons that are on display at the Museum and in the Museum's collection. Notice the variety of designs — some show an eagle, some have the chain of states, and some include the phrase "Long Live the President."

The Color Your Own George Washington Inaugural Button craft was released by the Museum as part of our Presidents Day Weekend 2021 sponsored by American Heritage Credit Union.