Construction at the cornerstone laying of
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York, November 19, 1939. 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 the
Washington metropolitan area. The company built or was the prime contractor for a number of landmark structures, including
the Pentagon, the
Jefferson Memorial, the
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the
Library of Congress annex,
Washington National Airport, the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and the
1949–1952 reconstruction of the
White House. McShain also built the
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in
Hyde 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 the
Barclay Hotel on Philadelphia's
Rittenhouse Square and became part owner of the Skyscraper By The Sea, the 400-room
Claridge Hotel in
Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Thoroughbred racing In 1952, John McShain established Barclay Stable in the United States and in 1955 expanded its operations to Ireland. Based in
New Jersey, his racing stable met with reasonable success at
New York State tracks and
Monmouth Park in
New Jersey, notably with Turbo Jet II. However, his greatest racing success came in
Europe, where in 1958 he was the
British flat racing Champion Owner. McShain's colt
Ballymoss won numerous prestigious races including Ireland's
Irish Derby Stakes, England's
St. Leger Stakes and France's
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Ballymoss was voted 1958
European Horse of the Year honors and in 1981 the
Republic of Ireland honored him with his image on a
postage stamp. McShain also owned the
filly Gladness, who had victories in the
Goodwood Cup and the
Ascot Gold Cup.
Philanthropy A devout
Roman Catholic, McShain was a major benefactor to
Wheeling Jesuit University. In 2000, the newly constructed admissions center was dedicated to the memory of him and his wife. McShain served on the
Board of Directors of a number of major American corporations and educational institutions including
St. Joseph's University,
Catholic University, and
Georgetown University. John also attended
St. Joseph's Preparatory School, an urban Jesuit high school in North Philadelphia. McShain was also a benefactor to
La 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. Through the John McShain Charities, Sister Pauline McShain continued her parents' tradition of financial support for various Catholic organizations such as the
Neumann University scholarship program. ==Personal life==