City Hall Swearing in Ceremonies

This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

New Year's Day swearing in ceremony at City Hall. Begins with William Schuman speaking about the need for art in America and in New York City in particular. He calls government a "constant friend and supporter of the arts" and calls for the completion of the new Lincoln Center during this, Mayor Wagner's 3rd term. Schuman would go on to become the president of Lincoln Center from its opening in 1962 until 1969.

After Schuman finishes, Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein reads from the book of Job. Next, letters of congratulation addressed to Mayor Wagner from Bernard Baruch, Adelai Stevenson, Former President Truman and John F. Kennedy are read.

The swearing in ceremony includes all the city's municipal departments including Buildings, Real Estate, Housing, Traffic, Parks, Labor, Civil Defense, Veterans Affairs, Municipal Broadcasting, City Planning, Tax Commission, Board of Standards, Correction and Air Pollution Control.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 73104
Municipal archives id: LT9362