U.S. Patent Office

The 1865 Inaugural Ball was held on March 6. Tickets were sold for this event and went for $10—a ticket admitted two women and one man. All proceeds from the tickets were donated to Union soldiers’ families. Located at the Patent Office, the ballroom was decorated with flags, and the festivities started at 10:00 p.m., with dinner being served at midnight, and lasted until midmorning of the next day.