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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Lee Dalgetty

Incredible story of the Edinburgh stonemasons who helped build the White House

White House Edinburgh United States George Washington Charles Jones

In 1792, after initial designs had been scrapped, George Washington was in need of skilled stonemasons for his ambitious White House plans.

Here in Edinburgh, as Britain’s war with France raged on, skilled labourers were banned from emigrating during the conflict - leaving them with no way of making money. Commissioners from the new US capital saw an opportunity, and reached out to offer a group of Edinburgh stonemasons generous wages to defy the travel ban and head to America.

READ MORE - We stayed in Edinburgh's fanciest penthouse that is popular with celebrities

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