In June of 1882, the Army of the Cumberland held its annual meeting and resolved to erect a monument to General Garfield. Adjutant General Swaim of the army was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for a bazaar. Circulars were sent broadcast, appealing for contributions of every description. Every trade, profession, and science was besought to give or loan material for exhibits. As the plans progressed, it was decided that the only place suitable to hold such an ambitious function was in the Rotunda and Statuary Hall of the National Capitol. Accordingly, the proper officials were interviewed and the privilege granted by Congress, so that the fair might open on November 25, 1882. The next step was the formation of many state boards or committees to assist by taking charge of booths. Notable among these were the booths of Iowa, New Jersey, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arkansas, and New York. When the truck loads of donations began to arrive, the great historical pictures of the Rotunda were covered with canvas and the marble statues were moved back out of the way in Statuary Hall. When the decorators had finished placing the loan exhibits of art, the bunting, and the flags, no one would have recognized the Hall of Representatives, whose lofty ceiling and dim corners sent back echoes of the oratory of Webster, Clay, and Calhoun and caught the last uttered word of the venerable John Quincy Adams. Instead of marble busts and bronze figures, booths appeared, gaily decked with jewellery, perfumery, candy, fancy aprons, pincushions, dolls, and crazy quilts. From some, the new-fashioned “Mother Hubbard” gown swung to and fro. Sewing machines, pianos, organs, vied with clocks, churns, and washtubs, and all imaginable utilitarian and ornamental household articles. Kansas wheat, corn, and great roosters of wood, busts, portraits, and paintings of Garfield, Henry Clay, and other notables distinguished the booths of the various states. The Rotunda was turned into an Art Hall. Vinnie Ream Hoxie had charge of the arrangement and made the spot one of rare beauty and interest with the aid of flowers and numerous loaned portraits, among which was one from the British Minister, of Queen Victoria in her royal robes.