John McShain
Title
John McShain
Description
John McShain was a building contractor in charge of the construction of many federal buildings in Washington during the 1900s. On the Mall, he was responsible for building the Jefferson Memorial and was trusted with remodeling the White House during Harry Truman's presidency. During his heyday as a builder, a common saying was that L'Enfant may have designed Washington, DC, but McShain was the man who built it. McShain's great volume of work led one radio broadcaster to quip in 1949 that signs in the city should be changed to "Welcome to Washington - John McShain, Builder."
Creator
Source
Hagley Museum and Library. View original photograph.
First Name
John
Last Name
McShain
Birth Date
12/21/1896
Birthplace
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Death Date
09/09/1989
Biographical Text
John McShain was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Irish immigrants. McShain's father owned a construction company, which McShain was forced to take over in 1919 when his father died. Under his management John McShain Building, Inc. rose to national prominence.
From the 1930s through the 1960s McShain's company worked on more than one hundred buildings in the Washington, DC area, including the Pentagon, the Jefferson Memorial, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Library of Congress annex, Washington National Airport, and the reconstruction of the White House.
With his wife, Mary J. Horstmann, McShain purchased and renovated Kenmare House in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. In 1978, the couple sold the house to Ireland to be added to Killarney National Park, with reserve on the house and surrounding land for use during their lives.
From the 1930s through the 1960s McShain's company worked on more than one hundred buildings in the Washington, DC area, including the Pentagon, the Jefferson Memorial, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Library of Congress annex, Washington National Airport, and the reconstruction of the White House.
With his wife, Mary J. Horstmann, McShain purchased and renovated Kenmare House in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. In 1978, the couple sold the house to Ireland to be added to Killarney National Park, with reserve on the house and surrounding land for use during their lives.