Posted on 02/22/2006 9:36:05 PM PST by stainlessbanner
All donations are welcome and none is too big or too small, but the $25,000 just received from Donald Trump is pretty special, said Beauvoir board member John French of Long Beach, who is involved in raising money to restore the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library in Biloxi.
Though heavily damaged by Katrina, Beauvoir is one of very few historic landmarks still standing on the Coast. It has been identified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a property that should be preserved.
"This is our history and when you lose something like that it is very difficult to replace," French said.
"There are so many out there who are able to help," he said, but "never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Mr. Trump had an interest in historic properties. It makes it a little bit more special."
It turns out the donation came at the suggestion of Trump's good friend, Richard Moe, who heads the National Trust. Trump asked Moe how he could help with the Trust's work in the hurricane area and Moe suggested Beauvoir as a worthy cause.
The check from the millionaire businessman and celebrity star of reality TV's "The Apprentice" arrived "out of the blue," said Patrick Hotard, executive director of Beauvoir, which is owned by the nonprofit Mississippi Division of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans Inc.
The money might be used for several different projects, Hotard said, among them to pay consultants needed to plan the restoration.
Though architect Larry Albert of Hattiesburg has been hired for the house, Hotard explained, outside consultants are needed for various aspects. A sprinkler system, for example, is one of them.
"There are several on the market," he said, "but probably one is best suited for a historical home."
Thank you Trump.
Hm
dixieping
Not to sound petty but Trump could have donated enough to completely restore Beauvoir! With all his money 25,000 is chump change.
As a southerner, respectful of our nation's heritage, I appreciate Mr. Trump's contribution. I wish I could match it.
I must wonder how he will explain this to his good buddy Don Imus should he become aware of this donation.
I wonder how Imus will become aware of this donation?
Nice from the Donald...what a babe wife!
That's wonderful of The Donald, though I can't help but be a little suspicious. He never does anything without a commercial reason for it. Maybe it will help the casinos in the area somehow - by helping tourism?
Oh well -- best of luck to all who are helping Beauvoir! It has always been a memorable landmark on the Coast. I guess it will be another few decades before poor old Natchez gets any makeover money.
But, I'm off to bed.
I do so wish I had one of your car washes here.
"Not to sound petty but Trump could have donated enough to completely restore Beauvoir! With all his money 25,000 is chump change."
Trump is a shrewd builder. Never pay the whole contract up front.
If he gave $3M to a foundation it would be stolen or wasted.
There will be more money coming because Trump loves to extend the publicity.
Man stacked brick foundation and the only damage is to the porch.
They don't build them like that anymore.
Darn, I didn't even know it survived Camille. I thought that one got everything. I remember the Edgewater Beach Hotel and, Heck, can't think of the other old one at the moment, Gus Stevens Restaurant and Club and much, much more that went out with Camille. Glad Beauvoir survived.
Wow! Didn't know it survived Katrina in any shape. Good for The Donald for ponying up, errr...a little deeper, Donald, a little deeper.
Does anyone know what the total renovation costs are estimated to be?
Thanks for that link - good for the Stevens Co. - what a job it was for those men to move that furniture, which must weigh a ton.
It looks like the house reacted to the hurricane just as it should have. Back when it was built, folks would have been happy to have the shell/basic structure to rebuild around.
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