Washington's Birthday at the Philadelphia Mint
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
George Washington was hero to both North and South. Here's an internal U.S. Mint memorandum about the 1862 celebration.
"February 22, 1862
Today being the anniversary of the birth of the illustrious Washington, the Mint was closed by order of the Hon. James Pollock, Director. The officers, clerks and employees of the institution celebrated the day in the adjusting room, by appropriate ceremonies. The exercises were opened with prayer, by A.G. Rowland. Prof. J. C. Booth, Melter & Refiner, then read the farewell address of the “Father of his Country,” after which, Mr. Pollock, the Director, delivered an eloquent and patriotic address. The “Star Spangled Banner” and other national hymns were sung by the employees. In the evening, the Mint Building was handsomely illuminated, and a transparency containing a female figure representing the Genius of America, with the words “The Union Triumphant,” was displayed on the front portico. (Copy of the Order of Exercises filed herewith.)"
The Order of Exercises included several verses for each song. The songs were:
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee”
“The Star Spangled Banner” and
“Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean”
No mention was made of musical accompaniment, refreshment or other entertainment. Presumably this event did not take more than 2 hours, plus the Adjustment room was not large and must have been crowded that day. The balance of the day was likely spent by employees in city festivities or drinking as much booze as possible. 
[Documents in RG104 Entry 1 Box 065, approx. page 65. From NNP, photos by John G.]
Comments
Sounds like an excellent celebration.... another holiday that has been discarded. Cheers, RickO
Did the employees get paid for this day?
Yes, they were paid at full rate. Official holidays, including those declared by the Director, were at full pay.
On days when there was no work for the Adjusters, but they had to report to the Mint, they were given half-pay but could read, sew, cook, chat, make reductions of astronomical data, or do whatever they wanted so long as they stayed in the mint building. If anyone left the building w/o permission, they were deemed absent for the full day.
"....make reductions of astronomical data,...." that got me, lol.
Double checking old survey field notes.....
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
O Columbia! the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee;
Thy mandates make heroes assemble,
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the red, white, and blue.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Exploits at Trenton/Princeton give meaning, and awareness to our founding father's birthday. Probably wouldn't be celebrating if not for that feat. What a day!