After the War of Independence in 1776, this was the first American consulate abroad when it opened in 1790. James Maury became the first overseas consulate for the United States and he held that position in Liverpool for 39 years. He also became the first President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Liverpool. He lived in Rodney Street and to this day, there is a painting of him in Liverpool Town Hall. The building became a pub in Victorian times and was called The American Eagle, then later The Eagle. It's now a Sony Centre shop, but it still retains the American Eagle carving on the wall after it was renovated at the Conservation Centre by National Museums Liverpool.