Monuments

Fireworks lighting up the night sky overlooking the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool during President Harry S. Truman's Inaugural celebration.

President Harry S. Truman (front, second from right) attending the wreath laying ceremonies at the Jefferson Memorial in celebration of Thomas Jefferson's 209th birthday. Also present are General Robert Landry (second from left) and General Harry Vaughan (third from left). All others are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (center) attending the wreath laying ceremonies at the Jefferson Memorial in celebration of Thomas Jefferson's 209th birthday. Also present are General Robert Landry (left) and General Harry Vaughan (right). All others are unidentified.

Attendees of the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Pictured: Secretary of the Interior Oscar Chapman (standing, right); Ann (Mrs. Oscar) Chapman (seated, left); and James Chapman (seated, second from left). All others unidentified.

Attendees of the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Pictured, seated: Ann (Mrs. Oscar) Chapman (front row, left); James Chapman (front row, second from left); and William J. Dougherty, Assistant Director of Information, Department of the Interior (second row, right). All others unidentified. In the background is the Washington Monument.

Assistant Secretary of the Interior Oscar Chapman (right) and an unidentified woman inside the Washington Monument.

Assistant Secretary of the Interior Oscar Chapman (standing, right) with unidentified people outside the Washington Monument.

Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes (left) and President Harry S. Truman (second from left) look out an observation window inside the Washington Monument while on an inspection for bridge sites. All others unidentified.

View of the Nefertari's temple located in Nubia (southern Egypt), near the borders of Sudan. Photograph taken as part of a trip author and diplomat Charles Thayer and his wife Cynthia took to Egypt and Sudan in 1961. Photos of the safari in Sudan intended for a possible magazine article. Original negatives are in the Harry S. Truman Library collection.

View of the Nefertari's temple located at Abu Simbel in Nubia (southern Egypt), near the borders of Sudan. Photograph taken as part of a trip author and diplomat Charles Thayer and his wife Cynthia took to Egypt and Sudan in 1961. Photos of the safari in Sudan intended for a possible magazine article. Original negatives are in the Harry S. Truman Library collection.