Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne launches a new exhibition ‘James Hoban, Architect of the White House’, at City Hall, Dame Street at 10am on Friday 1st May. The exhibition looks at the life and work of the Irish-born architect who designed the White House. It runs at City Hall until 31st May and admission is free.
The exhibition has been prepared by the White House Historical Association and Dublin City Public Libraries arranged for it to come here. The president of the White House Historical Association Mr. Neil Horstman is travelling to Dublin to attend the launch.
The exhibition includes facsimile copies of Hoban’s original designs for the White House, Washington’s Capitol building and other public buildings in Philadelphia and Charleston (South Carolina). Panels will also tell the story of Hoban’s extraordinary life.
According to the Lord Mayor, “Today Washington comes to Dublin, giving us an opportunity to celebrate the historical and ongoing connections between these two capital cities. Inspired by the neo-classical architecture of Georgian Dublin, Irish architect James Hoban designed the White House, which has become the most iconic presidential residence in the world. The exhibition allows us to admire and rejoice in his achievement.’
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For further information contact: Dublin City Archives, T. (01) 674 4996 / 674 4997, cityarchives@dublincity.ie
Dublin City Council Press Office, T. (01) 222 2170, M. 086 815 0010, info@dublincity.ie
Notes to the Editor
James Hoban – Key Facts
- 1762 - born Callan, Co. Kilkenny
- 1781 – leaves Ireland for Philadelphia
- 1792 – enters competition to design the official residence of the President of the United States. Hoban wins $500 first prize and a place in history. Construction of the White House takes seven years.
- 1st November 1800 – President John Adams and his wife Abigail become the first official residents
- 1814 – British troops invade and the White House is set on fire. Hoban redesigns the White House and has it finished with its famous whitewash
- 1831 – dies aged 69