John McShain photographs 1990.268 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on September 14, 2021. English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Audiovisual Collections PO Box 3630 Wilmington, Delaware 19807 [email protected] URL: http://www.hagley.org/library John McShain photographs 1990.268 Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 Biographical Note .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Scope and Content ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 6 Controlled Access Headings .......................................................................................................................... 6 Collection Inventory ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Personal photographs ................................................................................................................................... 7 Early photographs ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Family photographs .................................................................................................................................. 7 McShain family snapshots, albums with snapshots, negatives ................................................................ 8 John and Mary McShain: portraits, 50th wedding anniversary ............................................................... 8 Family, friends, business associates, and public figures; honorary degrees and awards; associations ................................................................................................................................................ 8 John McShain - religious activities, memorial services and funeral of John McShain ............................ 9 Family portraits, associations, public figures ......................................................................................... 10 Buildings .................................................................................................................................................... 10 Thirty Years of Building Progress - book, mock-up, proofs, photographs ............................................ 11 United States, Dublin, Ireland and unidentified locations ..................................................................... 11 Horse racing ............................................................................................................................................... 17 Race horses victory photographs ............................................................................................................ 17 Horses, races and trophies ...................................................................................................................... 19 Sound recordings ....................................................................................................................................... 20 Home movies ............................................................................................................................................. 20 Films .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Videotapes .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Miniature film negatives ........................................................................................................................... 22 Photographic equipment ............................................................................................................................ 22 - Page 2 - John McShain photographs 1990.268 Summary Information Repository: Audiovisual Collections Creator: McShain, John, 1898-1989 Title: John McShain photographs ID: 1990.268 Date [inclusive]: circa 1900-1990 Physical Description: 45 Linear Feet General Physical 3,942 photographic prints: b&w, many color; 11 x 14 in. or smaller.; Description: 33 photographic prints: b&w, many color; 16 x 20 in. or smaller; 8 photographic prints : b&w ; 76 x 101 cm. or smaller; 1 photographic print : cartes de visite ; 4 x 2.5 in.; 1 photographic print : cabinet photograph ; 6.5 x 4.25 in.; 48 photomechanical prints ; 11 x 14 in. or smaller; 372 negatives ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller; 354 negatives ; 35 mm.; 35 slides : color ; 35 mm.; 1 transparency : color ; 3.25 x 2.25 in.; 26 prints ; 53 x 43 cm. or smaller; 1 print : lithograph ; 55 x 71 cm.; 5 drawings ; 62 x 69 cm. or smaller; 1 drawing ; 59 x 91 cm.; 1 painting : watercolor ; 41 x 28 cm.; 1 painting : watercolor ; 39 x 54 cm.; 27 albums (1,546 photographic prints, 30 items) ; 39 x 33 cm. or smaller.; 68 items; 1 sound cassette : analog; 11 sound discs : analog, 78 rpm ; 10 in.; 7 sound discs : analog, 78 rpm ; 12 in.; 49 reels (100 ft.) : si. ; 16 mm.; 8 reels (200 ft.) : si. ; 16 mm.; 18 reels (400 ft.) : si. ; 16 mm.; 2 reels (800 ft.) : sd. ; 16 mm.; 1 reel (800 ft.) : si. ; 16 mm.; 2 reels (1200 ft.) : si. ; 16 mm.; 1 reel; 5 videocassettes (VHS). Language of the English . Material: Abstract: John McShain (1898-1989) was a Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.- based building contractor, whose firm, John McShain, Inc., was by 1950 the fiftieth largest construction firm in the United States. The collection contains graphic materials documenting John McShain's family life and personal interests, his career as a building contractor, and his involvement in horse racing. ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 3- John McShain photographs 1990.268 Biographical Note John McShain (1898-1989) was a Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.-based building contractor, whose firm, John McShain, Inc., was by 1950 the fiftieth largest construction firm in the United States, with contracts in excess of $100,000,000. John McShain was born in Philadelphia on December 21, 1898, the son of immigrants from County Derry, Ireland. His father was a carpenter with a small business and well established as a builder of Catholic churches, schools, rectories and convents. When his father died in 1919, John McShain left college in order to return to Philadelphia and take over the construction business. In 1929 he received his first major contract from the City of Philadelphia. McShain was active in Pennsylvania Republican Party politics during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He was a member of the Philadelphia Zoning Board from 1936 to 1956 and a member of the Housing Board from 1942 to 1946. McShain opened branch offices in Washington, D.C. (1935), Trenton, New Jersey (1936), and Baltimore (1937). In 1939 he received the contract to build the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library at Hyde Park, New York. During the 1940s and 1950s McShain became one of Washington's most visible and successful building contractors. His projects included the Jefferson Memorial (1939), the State Department Building (1940), National Airport (1941), the Internal Revenue Building (1942), the Pentagon (1943), the Army Map Service Building (1943), the White House renovation (1950-1951), the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In the 1940s, McShain invested some of his profits in the hotel business. After 1951, McShain became actively involved in the world of horse racing. He purchased the Barclay Stables in Philadelphia and hired Vincent O'Brien, one of the most successful trainers of the period. McShain bought an estate in Killarney, Ireland, in 1959 and retired there in 1965, although he continued to manage his business from there until 1974. During these years, McShain devoted more time to his outside interests, particularly Catholic charities and education. He died in Killarney on September 9, 1989. In 1927, McShain married Mary Josephine Horstmann (1907-1998) the daughter of a Philadelphia wool merchant. Mary McShain was active in a number of local Catholic charities. They had one child, Pauline Mary (1928- ), who entered the Convent of the Holy Child Jesus in 1946 and served principally in education and church administration. ^ Return to Table of Contents Scope and Content The collection contains graphic materials documenting John McShain's family life and personal interests, his career as a building contractor, and his involvement in horse racing. - Page 4- John McShain photographs 1990.268 A large portion of John McShain's personal photographs are portraits and snapshots of himself and his family through the years, including his parents and siblings, his wife Mary Horstmann McShain and the Horstmann family, and his daughter Pauline (Polly). These include major family events such as John and Mary's wedding, anniversaries, birthdays, and milestones in Polly's life, such as her entrance into the convent. There are also numerous snapshots of the McShains with family and friends, including New Year's Eve celebrations, dinners, vacations and other leisure activities, as well as pictures of