The White House Historical Association placed a wreath at the gravesite of James Hoban, Irish immigrant and the designer and builder of the White House, on Thursday, March 21 at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
In 2021, the association restored the gravesite of the Kilkenny-born Hoban and has held an annual wreath placement ceremony every year since.
The ceremony included remarks from Stewart McLaurin, President of The White House Historical Association; Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason; Most Reverand Roy E. Campbell Jr., Auxiliary Bishop of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington; Monsignor Séamus Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America; Vice State Regent Yvonne Liser, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Donald Connolly, State President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; Eric B. Kuchner, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia; Oscar Viera, Master of Federal Lodge No. 1 of Free and Accepted Masons and Rev. Patrick S. Lewis, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
According to a release, in 1792, James Hoban’s design for the President’s House was selected by the Commissioners for the District of Columbia with the approval of President George Washington.
"Hoban's contributions to the early growth and development of Washington, D.C., as architect, builder, mason, captain of a militia company, civic leader, and pillar of the Roman Catholic community, maintain his memory and reputation to this day."
The wreath laying event was made possible thanks to the generosity of Tim and Anita McBride.
Added the release: "Learn more about James Hoban and the history of between Ireland and the United States in a new episode of the Association’s The White House 1600 Sessions podcast which features a conversation about the relationship between the two countries beyond the month of March and St. Patrick’s Day. In this episode, Stewart McLaurin, president of the Association, sits down with Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, to discuss the depth of America’s Irish roots, and the diplomacy and investment driving a longstanding friendship built on a spirit of independence.
"The White House Historical Association was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to support her vision to restore and preserve the Executive Mansion and its legacy for generations to come. Mrs. Kennedy sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents.
"Supported entirely by private resources, the Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has contributed more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, go to WhiteHouseHistory.org.
