Opening Her Historic Doors

The balmy spring evening of May 10th, 2001 marked a significant milestone for the Mississippi Coast’s historic White House Hotel.

For the first time since the Hotel was boarded up and closed in 1988, her doors finally opened that night to welcome a sparkling crowd as she hosted a
“graduation” gala for Biloxi’s “Preservation 101” program.  The event was the culmination of an extensive nine month lecture and field trip series sponsored by the City of Biloxi, which raised local awareness about the importance of preserving this coastal community’s rich architectural heritage.

The beloved landmark that Biloxians know simply as the White House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration, provided an extraordinarily appropriate setting for “Preservation 101’s” finale.

Swathed in scaffolding and construction lights, the Grand Lady literally glowed as over 300 guests came to tour the renovation site – and mingle over a sumptuous buffet catered by New Orleans’ Royal Sonesta Hotel.  The prestigious Sonesta Group will be White House owner Jim Love’s managing partner when the gracious old hotel finally re-opens her doors for good, which is currently slated for late fall of 2002.