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The United Kingdom and Ireland in the White House: A Conversation on Historical Perspectives

Symposium Schedule

May 3, 2018

8:00 am - 9:00 am

  • Registration and light breakfast in Decatur House Parlors

9:00 am - 9:20 am

  • Welcome and Overview
    • The Hon. Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., Board Chair, White House Historical Association
    • His Excellency Sir Kim Darroch, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States
    • His Excellency Daniel Mulhall, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States

9:20 am - 10:00 am

  • First Keynote: 200 Years of the United Kingdom and Ireland in the White House: A Historical Panorama
    • Introductions; Dr. Curtis Sandberg, Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History at White House Historical Association
    • Professor Kathleen Burk, University College London

10:00 am - 11:00 am

  • Second Keynote: James Hoban and the White House
    • Panel discussion moderated by Dr. Edward Lengel
    • Merlo Kelly, University College Dublin, School of Architecture and Landscape design
    • Brian O’Connell, Dublin-based architect

11:00 am - 11:45 am

  • Third Keynote: Scottish Stonemasons in the White House
    • Introductions; Scottish Stonemason, Charles Jones, Historic Environment Scotland
    • Dr. William Seale, distinguished White House Historian

11:45 am - 12:00 pm

  • Break and transition to luncheon

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

  • Luncheon inspired by menus from historical White House State Dinners with United Kingdom and Irish leaders.
    • Luncheon program and toasts: Stewart McLaurin, on behalf of White House Historical Association; Randolph Churchill, on U.S.-England and special relationship; Dr. Christopher Moran, on U.S.-Irish connections; Stewart McLaurin, on Scotland; Robert M. Scher, on behalf of BP.
    • Musical entertainment: Alex Boatright, Selection of traditional Irish dance tunes, slow airs, and O'Carolan compositions.

1:30 pm - 1:45 pm

  • Break and transition to Carriage House

1:45 pm - 3:00 pm

  • Fourth Keynote: Influences on Decorative Arts and Design in the White House
    • Rufus Bird, Surveyor of The Queen’s Works of Art, The Royal Collection Trust
    • White House Curator Lydia Tederick

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

  • Final panel
    • Panel Discussion: All presenters return to the stage. Moderated by Ann Compton, followed by Q&A. Rufus Bird, Surveyor of The Queen’s Works of Art, The Royal Collection Trust; Kathleen Burk, professor of modern and contemporary history, University College London; Merlo Kelly, architect, University College Dublin, School of Architecture and Landscape design; Brian O’Connell, Dublin-based architect; William Seale, distinguished White House Historian; Lydia Tederick, White House Curator.

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

  • Reception in Decatur House Courtyard
    • Reception featuring U.K. and Irish-inspired music and spirits
    • Alex Boatright and Peter Brice, Traditional Irish music