Council takes ownership of The White House

The council has officially taken ownership of Newtownabbey’s most historic building, The White House.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th May 2015, 06:55 BST
Attending the official handover of The White House to the council are (l-r) Raymond McIlwrath of The White House Preservation Trust; Mayor Thomas Hogg; Chief Executive, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Jacqui Dixon; Chairman of The White House Preservation Trust, Cllr Billy Webb; and Deputy Mayor John Blair. They are pictured outside the property holding a Williamite uniform replica jacket from the heritage centre's 'A Tale of Three Kings' exhibition. INNT 20-536CONAttending the official handover of The White House to the council are (l-r) Raymond McIlwrath of The White House Preservation Trust; Mayor Thomas Hogg; Chief Executive, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Jacqui Dixon; Chairman of The White House Preservation Trust, Cllr Billy Webb; and Deputy Mayor John Blair. They are pictured outside the property holding a Williamite uniform replica jacket from the heritage centre's 'A Tale of Three Kings' exhibition. INNT 20-536CON
Attending the official handover of The White House to the council are (l-r) Raymond McIlwrath of The White House Preservation Trust; Mayor Thomas Hogg; Chief Executive, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Jacqui Dixon; Chairman of The White House Preservation Trust, Cllr Billy Webb; and Deputy Mayor John Blair. They are pictured outside the property holding a Williamite uniform replica jacket from the heritage centre's 'A Tale of Three Kings' exhibition. INNT 20-536CON

The official handover from The White House Preservation Trust Board of Trustees to Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg took place on Monday, May 11.

The Whitehouse Park heritage centre, which has been under council management since the end of March this year, will continue to be open for community use, in order to satisfy conditions of both Biffa Award and Heritage Lottery Fund, two of the principal funders of the £1million restoration of the 16th century fortified farmhouse.

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Speaking at the official handover, Cllr Hogg commented: “On behalf of the council, I would like to commend The Trust for their exceptional success in obtaining grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Biffa Award, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Ulster Garden Villages. Furthermore, none of this success would have been possible without the dedication of The White House volunteers, who mainly came to the project through the Abbey Historical Society. As a result of this dedication, the White House has now been restored into a beautiful and informative visitor centre.”

The White House, most famous for having played host to William of Orange in the days before the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, is currently only open by appointment, with guided tours and refreshments available on request. The function room at the property can also be hired for events.

The council has confirmed that future opening arrangements for individual visitors and groups are currently under review.

For more information call Museum at The Mill on 028 9034 0129.

• For related story and video click here.

Related topics:CouncilNewtownabbeyMayorAntrim