Latest news with #Warof1812
Sydney Morning Herald
28 minutes ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trump to start building $311 million White House ballroom in September
Washington: After paving over the Rose Garden and adding gold leaf in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump will embark on his most dramatic addition to the White House yet: a new, $US200 million ($311 million) ballroom to be built adjacent to the mansion's East Wing. Trump, a former real estate developer with a penchant for decorating, has long complained the White House lacks a large-scale ballroom for entertaining. The White House on Thursday announced plans to break ground in September on the project, which could prove to be the most extensive one since Harry Truman completed an entire renovation in 1952. The White House was built in 1800 and partially rebuilt after being burned by the British during the War of 1812. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that work on the 8360-square metre facility would be completed 'long before' Trump's four-year term ended in January 2029. The $US200 million cost of the ballroom, which will be able to seat 650 people, would be donated by Trump and other donors, she said. Presidents have used the intimate State Dining Room for events, as well as the larger East Room for bigger VIP lists, and sometimes will have a tent temporarily constructed on the South Lawn to host big dinners. 'When it rains, it's a disaster,' Trump said of the tents when asked about the new ballroom on Thursday. Trump's home at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, has a grand ballroom and a smaller one, both with glittering chandeliers and white walls decorated with gold flourishes.
The Age
28 minutes ago
- Business
- The Age
Trump to start building $311 million White House ballroom in September
Washington: After paving over the Rose Garden and adding gold leaf in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump will embark on his most dramatic addition to the White House yet: a new, $US200 million ($311 million) ballroom to be built adjacent to the mansion's East Wing. Trump, a former real estate developer with a penchant for decorating, has long complained the White House lacks a large-scale ballroom for entertaining. The White House on Thursday announced plans to break ground in September on the project, which could prove to be the most extensive one since Harry Truman completed an entire renovation in 1952. The White House was built in 1800 and partially rebuilt after being burned by the British during the War of 1812. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that work on the 8360-square metre facility would be completed 'long before' Trump's four-year term ended in January 2029. The $US200 million cost of the ballroom, which will be able to seat 650 people, would be donated by Trump and other donors, she said. Presidents have used the intimate State Dining Room for events, as well as the larger East Room for bigger VIP lists, and sometimes will have a tent temporarily constructed on the South Lawn to host big dinners. 'When it rains, it's a disaster,' Trump said of the tents when asked about the new ballroom on Thursday. Trump's home at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, has a grand ballroom and a smaller one, both with glittering chandeliers and white walls decorated with gold flourishes.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Trump to start building $200 million White House ballroom in September
WASHINGTON: After paving over the Rose Garden and adding gold leaf in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump will embark on his most dramatic addition to the White House yet: a new, $200 million ballroom to be built adjacent to the mansion's East Wing. Trump, a former real estate developer with a penchant for decorating, has long complained the White House lacked a large-scale ballroom for entertaining. The White House on Thursday announced plans to break ground in September on the project, which could prove to be the most extensive one since Harry Truman completed an entire renovation in 1952. The White House was originally finished in 1800 and partially rebuilt after being burned by the British during the War of 1812. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that work on the 90,000-square-foot (8,360-square-meter) facility will be completed 'long before' Trump's four-year term ends in January 2029. The $200 million cost of the ballroom, which will be able to seat 650 people, will be donated by Trump and other donors, she said. Presidents have used the intimate State Dining Room for events, as well as the larger East Room for bigger VIP lists, and sometimes will have a tent temporarily constructed on the South Lawn to host big dinners. 'When it rains, it's a disaster,' Trump said of the tents when asked about the new ballroom on Thursday. Trump's home at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, has a grand ballroom and a smaller one, both with glittering chandeliers and white walls decorated with gold flourishes. The Republican president has been determined to put his stamp on the executive mansion. He installed gold-filigreed decorations in the Oval Office and erected giant flagpoles on the north and south lawns. The Rose Garden is currently a construction site with the grass uprooted and replaced by a concrete patio of the type Trump enjoys at Mar-a-Lago. Trump first offered to build a $100 million ballroom at the White House back in 2010, an offer to then-President Barack Obama that went unanswered. The East Wing of the White House will be 'modernized' as part of the project. Offices there, including the one used by First Lady Melania Trump, will be temporarily relocated, Leavitt said. As if to reassure traditionalists, the White House said the theme and architectural heritage will be 'almost identical' to the rest of the house. It said Trump in recent weeks held meetings with members of the White House staff, the National Park Service, the White House Military Office and the U.S. Secret Service to discuss design features and planning. 'It'll be a great legacy project,' Trump said on Thursday - REUTERS
Hamilton Spectator
13 hours ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
It Takes a Village: Belfountain Heritage Society gears up for bicentennial bash
The not-for-profit society came together over the designated heritage property of the Historic Melville White Church. The church, built in 1837, required attention and care, and the Belfountain Heritage Society stepped up to restore, preserve, and maintain the building 30 years ago. Over the past three decades, they have completed multiple fundraisers to aid in their efforts for the church. The church is now available to the community for weddings and events. Now, they're tackling yet another massive heritage project for the Belfountain Community, the bicentennial event. Belfountain is turning 200 with a bang this year, thanks to the Heritage Society. The celebration, set to be held October 4, will be complete with local art and artists, horse-drawn carriage rides, re-enacted battles from the War of 1812, a parade, and the long-awaited unveiling of the commemorative sculpture. During the rehabilitation of Belfountain last summer, a proposal for a clock tower was made for the area. When it was brought to the Heritage Society, Sarah Bohan, President, Belfountain Heritage Society & Chair, Belfountain Bicentennial Committee, said they saw a golden opportunity for something more for the community. If the community agreed, they could begin working on a proposal for something other than the clock to help ring in the 200th anniversary of Belfountain. The community jumped on board, and after a presentation to the Belfountain Community Organization as well, the process began. Wendy Mitchell, a member of the Belfountain Heritage Society, was commissioned to make a sample, or a maquette, of what the resulting statue would look like. The statue currently stands at over six feet, and 'encapsulates the Niagara Escarpment and Belfountain', said Bohan. The statue will represent the rich history of Belfountain over the past 200 years, and when bronzed, it will weigh around 550 pounds. Following plans for the statue, other pieces began to fall into place for the bicentennial celebration. In 1975, residents shared with the society that for the 150th anniversary of Belfountain, there was a parade. Bohan shared they were excited to replicate that idea, and soon the event grew into what it is now, with Sandhill Pipes and Drums from Caledon set to lead the parade. Bohan is asking residents to bring a float to the event, or even walk along in the parade. As long as people are dressed in something of heritage, she said it could be anything from a pioneer outfit to a settler's attire. The society is also inviting the community to bring their vintage cars for the parade. Another exciting aspect of the day will be a local art show. 'We're so fortunate in Belfountain, we've got a number of artists,' shared Bohan. One of those artists and long-term residents, Cindy Leeman, has been holding art and decorating workshops where residents can attend to create a piece for the art show. They're inviting participants to paint, draw, or create in any medium, a heritage feature of Belfountain. The pieces will be on display before and after the event as well. Bohan shared that there are numerous heritage properties in Belfountain, and the art show will help to showcase the features of the community they work to protect and preserve. 'It's worthy of saving, it's worthy of preserving, it's worthy of keeping it in place, so that the next group of people, the next generation, can appreciate it, and enjoy it,' said Bohan. Mitchell runs the decorating part of the workshop, and said she has created multiple stamps that are going onto pennant flags to represent the heritage and history of Belfountain. The pennants will then be sewn together by volunteers and displayed in the hamlet during the event. As the event will be free for the community, Bohan said they are relying on volunteers and donations, as well as their sponsors, to help make the event unforgettable. Many organizations have stepped up to partner and support the event, including the Belfountain Community organization, the Policaro Group, Optimist Club of Caledon, Caledon Ski Club, Caledon Heritage Foundation, and many more. To help fundraise, the society has also been holding Belfountain Trivia nights where the community can test their vast knowledge of the community. Prizes are awarded at each trivia night, including passes to the Caledon Ski Club. She shared that it is a once-in-a-lifetime event for the community, and they're calling for volunteers to make it happen. 'It takes a village. Please join us and help because it is fun [and] once you get together with your community, it's like, 'Oh, gosh, it's work, but it's worth it',' laughed Bohan. To volunteer for the event, or to donate, email belfountainheritage@ The final art and decorating workshop and trivia night will be held on August 30. Details can be found on their website at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
NOTL Museum secures conditional $500K pledge from town council
Niagara-on-the-Lake town council has approved a $500,000 pledge over five years to support the NOTL Museum's Memorial Hall expansion — as long as its federal grant application is also successful. Museum CEO and curator Sarah Kaufman said the funding would support creating a 'community hub': improving accessibility for people with disabilities, expanding recreational programs, including for children, and increasing the number of items on display. She emphasized the importance of expanding recreational offerings to ease pressure on the NOTL Community Centre, which she said is 'very well used,' based on her conversations with the town. The proposed funding would come from municipal accommodation tax revenue, according to the museum's submission. The pledge is intended to strengthen the museum's application for a $2-million federal grant for the same project. The federal government accepts pledges, Kaufman said. She noted the museum applied for the federal funding in April and does not need immediate municipal funds — just a formal commitment to bolster the application. 'This is do or die for the museum,' Kaufman said. 'If we don't get this (federal) grant, this project may never happen,' adding the decision could come before September. Kaufman said the museum is also seeking support from other donors across the Golden Horseshoe and at all levels of government. Last year, the town financially supported the museum when it bought the Janet Carnochan House at 25 Castlereagh St., next to the main building. The house belonged to Janet Carnochan, founder of the NOTL Historical Society, the museum's precursor. Kaufman thanked the town for its help and said the acquisition saved the museum millions in renovation costs while preserving a historically significant site. She told The Lake Report that it's a good thing that NOTL is decided to invest in their heritage. 'When you see places like Halton who are shutting down their heritage services … it's a very kind of scary precedent that's being set there,' said Kaufman. 'Somewhere like NOTL appreciates heritage so much. It's really great that the council is supporting this project … because unfortunately it's not happening in other communities.' Kaufman also highlighted several features of the museum's collection, including what she described as the 'best' War of 1812 collection in Canada, the largest Laura Secord collection in the country, and German machine guns captured at Vimy Ridge. daniel@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
