Published in partnership with White House Historical Association, U.S. Consulate and Scottish Government.
Culture and Communities Vice Convener Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan has joined representatives of White House Historical Association, U.S. Consulate and Scottish Government to lay wreaths at restored Abraham Lincoln Statue in new Presidents’ Day tradition.
On Presidents’ Day 2022 (21 February), wreaths were laid at the foot of the Abraham Lincoln statue and war memorial at the Old Calton Cemetery in Edinburgh. The new annual
tradition has been initiated by the White House Historical Association, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and providing access to White
House history.
Association President, Stewart McLaurin, travelled to Edinburgh over the Christmas period and visited the monument, which was inaugurated in 1893 to commemorate Scottish
soldiers who died in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The memorial includes a statue of the 16th President, the first statue of any American president in Europe and still
the sole statue of a U.S. president in Scotland, and a freed slave and is also believed to be the only memorial to the Civil War outside the USA. Inspired by this and his own Scottish
roots, McLaurin proposed a new annual tradition of marking on Presidents’ Day Lincoln’s life and the historic relationship between Scotland and the United States.
U.S. Consul General Jack Hillmeyer laid a wreath on behalf of the association and the U.S. Government alongside Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson MSP, and City of Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Vice Convener Councillor, Amy McNeese-Mechan.
The occasion also saw the unveiling of a minor restoration of the statue, which had been missing a spearhead on one of its regimental flags for over 40 years. The spearhead had
been broken off and collected for repairs, sitting in various workshops for this time and had been thought lost. It was of great surprise when it was returned to the council in late 2021
by a now-retired employee now living in Spain who had kept it for safekeeping during various workshop moves.
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association said:
To see a statue of Abraham Lincoln in Edinburgh is a thrilling reminder of how he bent American history towards the arc of justice—and of our nation’s deep ties and everlasting friendship with Scotland.”
Jack Hillmeyer, U.S. Consul General said:
The United States and Scotland share many deep and profound connections. The Scottish American Soldiers Monument provides a constant reminder that our close relationship even extends to the field of battle. This ceremony is a fitting tribute to Lincoln, whose shining example of leadership during America’s darkest hour continues to inspire, and the Scots who were moved to fight for freedom and equality on American shores.
Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Central said:
It is an honour to mark Presidents’ Day 2022 on behalf of the Scottish Government. The relationship between Scotland and the US is strong and our personal and cultural ties are enduring and longstanding.
The restoration of the monument and the inaugural wreath-laying event are a testament to the power of these historical connections and a welcome sign that these connections will endure long into the future.
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Vice Convener said:
As possibly the first-ever Edinburgh city councillor born in the U.S.A., I grew up in the Land of Lincoln – the State of Illinois – and attended Abraham Lincoln elementary school! I'm therefore so pleased to be able to participate in celebrating the historic cultural and political links between our two countries at our newly restored statue of the 16th President, known as the Great Emancipator.
The event is also being recognised by many in the United States. Ian Houston, President of the Scottish Business Network Americas in Washington D.C.
said:
Lincoln had a passion for Scotland and was a consumer of Scottish poets and writers. The placement of this wreath on President’s Day and just after his birth pays both tribute to his memory and the special connection between Scotland and the United States.”