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Beginning in the
early years of the twentieth century, gubernatorial
inaugurations gradually developed into the now-familiar
elaborate celebrations. Photographs of inaugurations appeared in
the newspapers, radio carried inaugural addresses to larger
audiences, and parades became standard practice. Every governor
since 1902 (Andrew Jackson Montague) has taken office during a
joint session of the General Assembly. Beginning in 1914 (Henry
Carter Stuart), inaugurations occurred outdoors, weather
permitting. Each inauguration included a parade, except for the
1942 inauguration of Colgate Whitehead Darden who, in deference
to the United States' entry in World War II six weeks before,
dispensed with most of the ceremony. Governor Darden did deliver
his inaugural address from the south portico of the Capitol.
Two governors' inaugurations set patterns that remain
unaltered in future ceremonies. Henry Carter Stuart was the
first Virginia governor to ride in an automobile in his parade
(1914). Harry Flood Byrd was the first to use radio (WRVA) and
an audio system to broadcast his inaugural address.
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Top sheet music courtesy of The Library
of Virginia; Center and bottom photos courtesy of the Richmond
Times-Dispatch.
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