Honour for Scots who built the White House
Plaque unveiled at building stonemasons worked on
A group of Scots stonemasons who were instrumental in the construction of the White House have been honoured in their home city of Edinburgh.
A plaque was unveiled at 66 Queen Street, a building once worked on by stonemasons John and James Williamson before they travelled to Washington, DC to commence work on the US presidential residence.
The Williamson brothers were among a group of six members of Edinburgh Lodge number 8 who travelled to the US in 1794, and whose skilled craftsmanship would make its mark on the White House. The stonemasons carried out elaborate carvings on the façade of the structure, including the iconic double Scottish rose which features on many different parts of the building. Recently stonemason Charles Jones, technical conservation skills programme manager at HES, followed in the footsteps of the Williamson brothers and travelled to Washington to carve a replica double Scottish rose by the White House Historical Association during a symposium earlier this year. The replica is now on display in the White House Visitors Centre.
Alex Paterson, chief executive of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) was joined by Stewart Mclaurin, president of the White House Historical Association to unveil the plaque.
Mr Paterson said: “Skilled Scottish stonemasonry was highly sought-after during the 18th century, and the important work undertaken on the White House demonstrates its lasting global significance.
“This plaque is a fitting tribute to the pioneering Scottish stonemasons of over two centuries ago, and I hope it will provide inspiration for our next generation of craftspeople to carve their names in history.” Stewart Mclaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, said: “The stone masons of Scotland today are the legacy of great craftsmen from the 18th century who came to Washington and created the beautiful carvings that we still see on the White House.
“The Double Scottish Rose that we see on every pilaster is a Scots wink from those stonemasons and we were thrilled to have a reminder of that extraordinary stonemason talent.”
The story of the stonemasons is explored in a new exhibition now on display at the Engine Shed in Stirling.
The Scots Who Built the White House examines the role played by Scots in construction of one of most iconic buildings in the world.
alison.campsie@scotsman.com