Abraham Lincoln Catafalque in the House Chamber of the Hills Capitol Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, April 21-22, 1865

This carte-de-visite photograph shows the catafalque, a temporary structure built to support President Abraham Lincoln's coffin during the three days he lay in state in the U. S. Capitol Rotunda from April 19-21, 1865. Commissioner of Public Buildings, Benjamin Baker French, designed and built the catafalque. The platform consisted of pine boards nailed together, measuring about 7 feet long. Raised above the ground about 3 feet, it was draped in black fabric and decorated with stars. This image shows the catafalque awaiting the coffin in front of a large backdrop. The elaborate backdrop takes the form of a classical arcade, or rows of arches, draped in heavy, black bunting. The effect is at once monumental and somber.

Although the original photographer is unknown, we do know that D.C. Burnite of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania printed this carte-de-visite photograph. Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865 plunged Americans into deep mourning. Many people collected mementos like this to help them visualize the events of President Lincoln's funeral as a way of expressing the national grief.