Blog

July 27, 2011

Hard Hat Tour

The Saint Louis community has been eagerly anticipating the opening of the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) and we could not resist showing off our new space so we decided to kick off spring with a hard hat tour of our renovation last April. The event gave attendees a sneak peek of the World Chess Hall of Fame’s new home – a former historic residence situated in the heart of Saint Louis’ Central West End. Grandmasters, politicians, and arts and education patrons were invited to enjoy tours of the construction space lead by director Susan Barrett. Attendees, including 2011 U.S. Champion Gata Kamsky, Nancy and Ken Kranzberg, Trisha and David Schlafly, Alison Ferring, Dorte Probstein, and Mayor Francis Slay, mingled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in a tent outside the WCHOF. Rex Sinquefield presented the history and current status of the project to guests, among them Phillip Slein, Paul and Susan Sauer, and Pat Whitaker. Attendees were given logoed tote bags and umbrellas and provided with information on the opening of the WCHOF as well as potential giving opportunities.