The Symbols of the Office

As we anticipate today’s historic ceremony installing Lonnie G. Bunch III as the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, learn more about the history of the ceremony and its symbols.

No pomp, just circumstance

When Joseph Henry became the first Secretary of the brand-new Smithsonian Institution in 1846, it was no doubt a simple affair: The Regents voted on Henry’s selection, he accepted the position, was sworn in, handshakes were exchanged all around and everyone went back to work. At least one speech was probably made, since nothing happened in the 19th century without someone giving a speech.

Speeches were a popular form of entertainment in the 19th century. Probably. For example, the  ceremony to dedicate the Joseph Henry statue drew a large crowd to the national Mall in 1883.

In fact, it would have been presumptuous to the point of comedy for the ceremony to have been anything other than understated, since at that time, no one really understood what it meant to be the Secretary of the Smithsonian. In those early years the Smithsonian was struggling to define itself: was it a library, a museum, an academic institution? Over the years, successive Secretaries have incorporated their own visions into the Smithsonian as its collections, staff research and influence grew to contribute to its stature as a truly national institution.

Several exhibition cases installed from 1946 – 1964 in the Smithsonian Castle displayed personal and professional mementos of Smithsonian Institution Secretaries Joseph Henry (1846-1878), Spencer Fullerton Baird (1878-1887), Samuel Pierpont Langley (1887-1906), and Charles D. Walcott (1907-1927). The display coincided with the centennial celebration of the Institution’s founding in 1846. This case features Langley’s academic robes and awards (Courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of American History)

The early Secretaries—Spencer Baird, Samuel Langley, Charles DoolittleWalcott, Charles Greeley Abbott, Alexander Wetmore—were all scientists and scholars with existing connections to the Smithsonian. Their elevation to Secretary by the Regents was more in the nature of academic honor than a corporate promotion. It wasn’t until 1953 that the Regents selected a Secretary from outside the Smithsonian, Leonard Carmichael, an educator and academic. He was sworn in as Secretary in the Secretary’s Parlor.

Swearing in of the seventh Secretary of the Smithsonian Leonard Carmichael (1953-1964) on January 2, 1953, with (l-r) Regent Robert V. Fleming, Alexander Wetmore (sixth Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1944-1952), Chief Judge of U.S. Court of Appeals Harold M. Stephens, Leonard Carmichael, and Mrs. Pearl Carmichael. Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson was unable to attend the ceremony due to a death in his family, so Stephens filled in. (Photographer unknown, 1953. Via Smithsonian Institution Archives)

The “perfect symbolic gesture”

In 1964, a new era began at the Smithsonian with the induction of S. Dillon Ripley as Secretary. During his 20-year tenure, the Smithsonian saw tremendous growth in both breadth and scope. Several museums became part of the Smithsonian, including the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (now the Anacostia Community Museum); Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; the Renwick Gallery; the National Air and Space Museum; the National Museum of African Art; the Enid A. Haupt Garden; the Quadrangle Complex; and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

S. Dillon Ripley, eighth Smithsonian Secretary (1964-1984), standing in the Secretary’s Parlor in the Smithsonian Institution Building in front of the portrait of Joseph Henry, first Secretary of the Smithsonian (1846-1878).
Author
Phillips, Charles, 1978

Ripley was once eloquently lauded for “…his almost magical sense for the perfect symbolic gesture” and the importance of symbolism and ceremony was not lost on him. For Ripley’s induction as Secretary, out-going Secretary Leonard Carmichael originated the custom of presenting a ceremonial key to the new secretary, a symbolic tradition at many universities.

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of James Smithson, founding donor of the Smithsonian Institution, a three day celebration was held September 16, 17, 18, 1965. The event included an academic procession. From left to right: Theodore W. Taylor, Assistant to the Secretary, Smithsonian Institution (carrying the Smithsonian mace); Chief Justice Earl Warren, Chancellor, Smithsonian Institution; and S. Dillon Ripley, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution. An honor guard marches behind the three gentlemen. (Photographer unknown, 1965. Via Smithsonian Institution Archives)

Throughout his tenure as Secretary, Ripley sought to connect the Smithsonian with colleges, universities and other kindred institutions that shared our mandate for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” It was perhaps to reinforce this connection that Ripley commissioned the creation of two symbolic ceremonial devices commonly found in institutions of higher learning—the Smithsonian Mace and the Smithsonian Badge of Office.

Ceremonial maces symbolizing jurisdiction, authority and academic independence are common at many universities. In an academic procession, for example, the mace is carried in front of the university president and is prominently displayed at commencement exercises and symposia. A second venerable tradition among many colleges, universities and academic societies is for the senior office-bearer or president to wear a badge of office at official functions and when representing the institution.

Ceremonial Key

The tradition of passing the Smithsonian key to the incoming Secretary originated for the 1964 induction of S. Dillon Ripley as the eighth Secretary of the Smithsonian. The large brass key dates to the mid-19th century.

The tradition of passing the Smithsonian key to the incoming Secretary originated for the 1964 induction of S. Dillon Ripley as the eighth Secretary of the Smithsonian. In lieu of the administration of an oath of office, outgoing Secretary Leonard Carmichael proposed a key-passing ceremony based on similar ones frequently used in the inauguration of university presidents. Chief Justice Earl Warren, Chancellor of the Smithsonian, presented the key to Ripley, prior to the January 21, 1964 meeting of the Board of Regents. The key, as a representation of knowledge and of guardianship, is an appropriate Smithsonian symbol. Dating to the mid-19th century, the key is said to have opened one of the original massive oak doors of the Smithsonian “Castle.”

13th Smithsonian Secretary Dr. David Skorton receives the ceremonial key to the Smithsonian from Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, Oct. 19, 2015, (Photo by Joyce Boghosian)

Smithsonian Mace

The Smithsonian Mace was commissioned in 1964 by the Institution in anticipation of the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of the Smithsonian’s benefactor and namesake, James Smithson. The 47-inch mace was unveiled Sept. 17, 1965, a gift from friends of the Smithsonian.

Constructed of gold and silver and set with diamonds, rubies and polished Smithsonite, the mace is encrusted with symbolism relating to the Institution and its founder.

The Smithsonian Mace was commissioned in 1964 by the Institution in anticipation of the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of the Smithsonian’s benefactor and namesake, James Smithson. The 47-inch mace was unveiled Sept. 17, 1965, a gift from friends of the Smithsonian; it is constructed of gold and silver and encrusted with diamonds, rubies and polished Smithsonite, a mineral identified by James Smithson and named for him posthumously in 1832. (Photo by Jeff Ploskonka)

The demi-lion holding a golden sun which tops the mace was adapted from the crest figure of the coat of arms of Sir Hugh Smithson Bart, Smithson’s biological father. In heraldry, the sunburst signifies “the light of heaven” and “the fountain of life.” The lion rests on a piece of Smithsonian, a mineral identified by Smithson and named for him posthumously in 1832.

Smithsonian Badge of Office

The Smithsonian’s Badge of Office is a thick, irregularly shaped medallion made of 18-carat gold that hangs from a cherry-red ribbon. Cast in high relief and set within a deeply recessed square on the front is the owl of Athena, a symbol of wisdom, and an olive branch, a symbol of peace and goodwill. The owl has forward-gazing eyes that are set with a pair of large, yellow sapphires. To the side of the owl is engraved the Smithsonian Institution’s mandate as defined in James Smithson’s will: “For the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge Among Men.” The back is engraved with the sunburst seal of the Smithsonian and “James Smithson, 1765—Bicentennial 1965.”

The Smithsonian’s Badge of Office was fabricated concurrently with the Smithsonian Mace at the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London. The thick, irregularly shaped medallion was fashioned from 18 carat gold and hangs from a cherry-red ribbon with gold clasps. Cast in high relief and set within a deeply recessed square on the front is the owl of Athena, a symbol of wisdom, and an olive branch, a symbol of peace and goodwill. The owl has forward-gazing eyes that are set with a pair of large, yellow sapphires. To the side of the owl is engraved the Smithsonian Institution’s mandate as defined in James Smithson’s will: “For the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge Among Men.” The back is engraved with the sunburst seal of the Smithsonian and “James Smithson, 1765—Bicentennial 1965.”

Queen Elizabeth II views the “The Federal City: Plans and Realities” exhibition in the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, with Secretary S. Dillon Ripley,wearing academic robes and the Smithsonian Badge of Office; Chief Justice Warren Burger; and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller; during her visit to the United States to commemorate the Bicentennial of the American Revolution. (Photo by James . Wallace, via Smithsonian Institution Archives)

Today, November 1, 2019

These symbols have been incorporated into the installation of every Smithsonian Secretary, beginning with Ripley’s successor, Robert McCormick Adams, in 1984. Today at 3:00 p.m., the 14th Secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch III will be inducted in a ceremony at the Arts and Industries Building. (Watch the ceremony live at s.si.edu/installation.)

The Smithsonian Honor Guard will lead the Academic Procession and present the Smithsonian Mace and Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts will present the ceremonial key to Secretary Lonnie Bunch.

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