Governor Pat Brown's Inaugural Year

Explore rare images from 1959 documenting events from Edmund Gerald “Pat” Brown's first year as California's 32nd governor

By California State Library

Images from Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park's Photograph Collection. Exhibit by the Digital Concierge Program at the California State Library.

Governor Edmund G. Brown's Inaugural Ball, photographer's number 20 [377-89-120] (1959-01-06) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Introduction

Photographs from Governor Pat Brown's inaugural year are now available online thanks to a digitization partnership between the California State Library’s Digital Concierge Program and the Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park in the Capital District of California State Parks.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Inauguration, photographer's number 55 [377-89-162] (1959-01-05) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Raise your right hand

Edmund G. “Pat” Brown takes the oath of office from California Supreme Court Justice Phil Gibson at the State Capitol. Brown would go on to complete two terms in office, serving as Governor of California until 1967.

The Inauguration

Edmund Gerald “Pat” Brown was inaugurated as Governor of California on January 5, 1959, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. After the inauguration ceremony, a gathering that included Governor Brown’s supporters and family members was held at the Executive Mansion. Among the Brown family members featured in the following images are future Governor Edmund Gerald “Jerry” Brown, Jr. and future California State Treasurer Kathleen Brown.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Inauguration, photographer's number 29 [377-89-176] (1959-01-05) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

A family affair

Governor Brown with his family behind the dais in the Assembly Chambers during his 1959 inauguration. Left to right: First Lady Bernice Brown, son Jerry Brown, Governor Brown, mother Ida Brown, and daughters Barbara Brown Casey, Kathleen Brown, and Cynthia Brown Kelly.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Inauguration, photographer's number 44 [377-89-183] (1959-01-05) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Legislatorum est ...

Governor Brown speaks from the dais in the Assembly Chambers at the State Capitol. The sign in Latin reminds occupants “It is the duty of legislators to make just laws.” 

Governor Edmund G. Brown Inauguration, photographer's number 58 [377-89-184] (1959-01-05) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Making history

Governor Brown signs a document at the State Capitol during the inauguration ceremony. 

Governor Edmund G. Brown Inauguration, photographer's number 12 [377-89-208] (1959-01-05) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

View from above

A group of spectators stands along the gallery of the second-floor rotunda at the State Capitol to watch the inauguration of Governor Edmund G. Brown.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Inauguration, photographer's number 46 [377-89-203] (1959-01-05) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Congratulations

Governor Brown bends down to receive a kiss on the cheek after his inauguration ceremony. 

Governor Edmund G. Brown Inauguration, photographer's number 26 [377-89-218] (1959-01-05) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Four generations

The Governor and First Lady head the table in the Executive Mansion dining room after the inauguration. Left to right: Ida Brown holds Charles Casey Jr., Jerry Brown, Cynthia Brown Kelly, Pat Casey, Joseph Kelly, Barbara Brown Casey, and Kathleen Brown holds Kathleen Kelly.

The Inaugural Balls

There were two Inaugural Balls held for Governor Brown in Sacramento. One was at the Governor’s Hall at the State Fairgrounds – then located on Stockton Boulevard – and the other at the downtown Memorial Auditorium. The photographs from these events captured the Brown family at the Executive Mansion and attendees of the inaugural balls, including legendary entertainers Nat King Cole and Ann Miller.

Governor Edmund G. Brown's Inaugural Ball, photographer's number 57 [377-89-85] (1959-01-06) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

All dressed up

The Brown family pictured at the Executive Mansion on the night of the 1959 Inaugural Ball. Left to right: Barbara Brown Casey, Kathleen Brown, Cynthia Brown Kelly, First Lady Bernice Brown, and Governor Brown.

Governor Edmund G. Brown's Inaugural Ball, photographer's number 25 [377-89-104] (1959-01-06) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Star struck

Governor Brown and family members greet dancer and actress Ann Miller at the Inaugural Ball. Left to right: Joseph Kelly, Barbara Brown Casey, Cynthia Brown Kelly, Pat Casey, Governor Brown, and Ann Miller. The following year Miller received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Governor Edmund G. Brown's Inaugural Ball, photographer's number 10 [377-89-125] (1959-01-06) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Unforgettable evening

Governor Brown shakes hands with popular singer Nat King Cole, while First Lady Bernice Brown enjoys the moment. Later that year Cole would win a Best Performance trophy at the 2nd Annual Grammy Awards. 

Governor Edmund G. Brown's Inaugural Ball, photographer's number 80 [377-89-117] (1959-01-06) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Procession

The arrival of Governor Brown for the 1959 Inaugural Ball held at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. Governor and First Lady Brown walk down a central aisle followed by Lieutenant Governor Glenn M. Anderson and Lee Marie Anderson.

Governor Edmund G. Brown's Inaugural Ball, photographer's number 32 [377-89-121] (1959-01-06) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Behind the scenes

Members of the Brown family standing with a group of people backstage at the Memorial Auditorium during the Inaugural Ball. 

Governor Edmund G. Brown's Inaugural Ball, photographer's number 31 [377-89-130] (1959-01-06) by Shimmon, George (1907-1980)California State Library

Captivated audience

Governor Brown speaks to Inaugural Ball attendees at Memorial Auditorium. 

The California State Fair

The Governor and First Lady Bernice Brown visited the 1959 California State Fair and posed for pictures with exhibitors and other fair goers.  Following the event, the Governor was presented with a scrapbook of photographs taken during his visit. Historically, the fair was held in various locations around the state. Governor Brown is credited with helping to establish Cal Expo in Sacramento, signing a bill in 1962 that brought the State Fair to its permanent location.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Attending California State Fair, 4 of 37 [377-89-33.b] (1959) by UnknownCalifornia State Library

California royalty

Governor and First Lady Brown pose with Miss California, Terry Lynn Huntingdon, at the 1959 California State Fair. Later the same year, Huntingdon claimed the title of Miss USA – the first contestant from California to do so – and second runner-up in the Miss Universe contest.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Attending California State Fair, 7 of 37 [377-89-35.a] (1959) by UnknownCalifornia State Library

Vintage design

Governor Brown and First Lady Bernice Brown visit the Alameda County exhibit at the 1959 California State Fair.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Attending California State Fair, 18 of 37 [377-89-40.b] (1959) by UnknownCalifornia State Library

Water in California

Governor and First Lady Brown in front of an exhibit on the California water system and a map listing the capacity of the State reservoirs. Brown’s administration implemented a comprehensive statewide water plan and expanded the state’s water resources.

Governor Edmund G. Brown Attending California State Fair, 27 of 37 [377-89-45.a] (1959) by UnknownCalifornia State Library

Young constituents

Governor Brown talks with a group of teenagers at the State Fair. By 1959, teenagers in California – and across America – were being recognized as their own economic market, but the voting age would remain at 21 until the 26th Amendment passed in 1971. 

There's More to See

This exhibit is only a preview of Governor Brown’s inaugural year images from the Governor’s Mansion Photograph Collection. Notable photographs from the rest of the collection feature Supreme Court Justice Phil Gibson, outgoing Governor Goodwin Knight, newly-elected Lieutenant Governor Glenn Anderson, State Controller Alan Cranston, San Francisco District Attorney Tom Lynch, Attorney General Stanley Mosk, and more.

For more information on how to access the full collection of 171 digitized photographs, contact the Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park, Capital District, California State Parks (GMSHP.Curatorial@parks.ca.gov) or the California State Library’s Digital Concierge Program (Digital.Concierge@library.ca.gov). 

Items within the Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park (2023) by Governor's Mansion State Historic ParkCalifornia State Library

Related collections

More items within Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park include: a $1 check donated to Brown’s gubernatorial campaign by Barbara Rockefeller, the dinner plates shown with the Brown family in the Executive Mansion dining room, and Bernice Brown’s 1959 inaugural ball gown.    

Credits: Story

Digital Concierge Program
The California State Library’s Digital Concierge Program is a content-creation, digitization, and digital preservation center dedicated to preserving and sharing the collections hidden throughout California state government. Digital Concierge collaborates with state departments to identify and showcase the most culturally significant, sought-after or at-risk parts of their collections and records.

All images are from the collection of: 
Governor's Mansion State Historic Park, Capital District, California State Parks

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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