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John McShain | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1896-12-21)December 21, 1896 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | September 9, 1989(1989-09-09) (aged 92) |
| Resting place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | La Salle University (BA) |
| Known for | "The Man Who BuiltWashington" |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
John McShain (December 21, 1896 – September 9, 1989) was an Americanbuilding contractor known as "The Man Who Built Washington".
Born inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, the son ofIrish immigrants, McShain graduated fromSt. Joseph's Preparatory School in 1918 after having attendedLa Salle College High School for several years. He later graduated fromLa Salle University, earning a bachelor's degree.
McShain was born inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 21, 1896. His father founded a successful construction company, which he was forced to take over at age 21 following his father's death in 1919.
Under McShain's management, the company became one of the leading builders in the United States.
From the 1930s to the 1960s, the company worked on more than 100 buildings in theWashington metropolitan area. The company built or was the prime contractor for a number of landmark structures, includingthe Pentagon, theJefferson Memorial, theJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, theLibrary of Congress annex,Washington National Airport, theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and the1949–1952 reconstruction of theWhite House. McShain also built theFranklin D. Roosevelt Library inHyde Park, New York.
His career as a building contractor garnered McShain significant wealth. He started the John McShain Charities as his philanthropy arm. McShain acquired theBarclay Hotel on Philadelphia'sRittenhouse Square and became part owner of the Skyscraper By The Sea, the 400-roomClaridge Hotel inAtlantic City, New Jersey.[1][2]
In 1952, John McShain established Barclay Stable in the United States and in 1955 expanded its operations to Ireland. Based inNew Jersey, his racing stable met with reasonable success atNew York State tracks andMonmouth Park inNew Jersey, notably with Turbo Jet II. However, his greatest racing success came inEurope, where in 1958 he was theBritish flat racing Champion Owner. McShain's coltBallymoss won numerous prestigious races including Ireland'sIrish Derby Stakes, England'sSt. Leger Stakes and France'sPrix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Ballymoss was voted 1958European Horse of the Year honors and in 1981 theRepublic of Ireland honored him with his image on apostage stamp. McShain also owned thefilly Gladness, who had victories in theGoodwood Cup and theAscot Gold Cup.
A devoutRoman Catholic, McShain was a major benefactor toWheeling Jesuit University. In 2000, the newly constructed admissions center was dedicated to the memory of him and his wife. McShain served on theBoard of Directors of a number of major American corporations and educational institutions includingSt. Joseph's University,Catholic University, andGeorgetown University. John also attendedSt. Joseph's Preparatory School, an urban Jesuit high school in North Philadelphia.
McShain was also a benefactor toLa Salle University, his alma mater. He helped plan the construction of La Salle's original academic building,College Hall. McShain Hall at LaSalle was named after him. La Salle University also has a student award named after McShain, given out annually. The John McShain Award is offered to a member of the senior class who maintained an excellent scholastic record and is considered by faculty and staff to have done the most for the public welfare of La Salle.[3]
Through the John McShain Charities, Sister Pauline McShain continued her parents' tradition of financial support for various Catholic organizations such as theNeumann University scholarship program.
In 1927, McShain marriedMary J. Horstmann (1907–1998). Over the years, the McShains began visiting Ireland and in 1956 acquiredKenmare House together with 25,000 acres (100 km2) inKillarney inCounty Kerry. He and his wife extensively renovated the building and renamed it Killarney House. In 1973, they gaveInnisfallen Island and the ruins of its historic abbey to the government of Ireland. Five years later, McShain sold Killarney House and the greater part of the estate to the Irish State for a price well below market value, having been assured that the house and estate would be incorporated intoKillarney National Park. McShain and his wife reserved the house and surrounding 52acres for their use. McShain died in 1989 and his wife lived in the house until her death in 1998, when the house and surrounding land reverted to the Irish State. They are buried together inPhiladelphia and commemorated with medallions at theCathedral-Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Their only child, Pauline McShain, became a Roman Catholicreligious sister of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.[4][5] Having been empty for several years, the building fell into some disrepair. In July 2011,Leo Varadkar, the IrishMinister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, announced a €7 million restoration of the manor.[6][7]
In 2018, his nieces Mary Anne O'Donnell, Judy White and nephew Robert McShain, along with his wife Janet, eight of their nine children and assorted other cousins and distant relatives attended the grand opening of the new Killarney House National Park dedication ceremony.[8][9]
Pauline McShain died on March 8, 2019, from complications ofpneumonia.[10]
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