Noreen O’Connor

Statement on the Proposed Ballroom Addition at the White House - Society of Architectural Historians The Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) expresses great concern over the proposed ballroom addition to the White House. On July 31, 2025, the White House issued a statement that a 90,000 sq. ft....

The new ballroom plans need to be reviewed by the National Capital Planning Commission before going forward with construction.

Trump’s ballroom blitz sparks chorus of disgust:

“Trump moved ahead with construction despite a lack of sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branch agency that has jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in the region.”

Wrong view!

Wilkes-Barre No More Kings rallly!

Wilkes-Barre too!

"The Myth of the Useless Humanist" vs "Humanities myths, busted" a letter to colleagues

Posting here the excellent piece by Jeffrey Cohen, who’s at ASU and advocating strongly for humanities: futurelostarchive.beehiiv.com/p/the-myth-o...

Seen at City Lights Books in San Francisco (shelved correctly under A)

Columbia Agrees to $200 Million Fine to Settle Fight With Trump

You can never bend the knee enough to appease an authoritarian bully.

This is a devastating blow to academic freedom & freedom of speech at Columbia.

Never in the history of this nation has there been an administration so intent on the utter destruction of higher education as we know it.

Columbia University’s agreement with the Trump administration is a disaster for academic freedom, freedom of speech, & the independence of American higher education. Never in the history of our nation has an educational institution so thoroughly bent to the will of an autocrat.

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Low Cut Connie says Wilkes-Barre show was canceled over band's political views The group released a track protesting the Trump administration and withdrew from a concert at the Kennedy Center this year.

Luzerne County canceled the only show I wanted yo see this summer in their Rocking the River series. So heartbroken to miss the great fun of a Low Cut Connie show in my own backyard. I guess punk is still shocking the bourgeoisie. www.phillyvoice.com/low-cut-conn...

Friday at The Center at West Park 2-4 pm screening if the 1929 silent The Runaway Princess adapted from Elizabeth von Arnim’s Princess Priscilla’s Fortnight.

@newyorker.com

A Quietly Subversive Novel About Renewal on the Italian Riviera In “The Enchanted April,” by Elizabeth von Arnim, four Englishwomen are transformed by a temporary loss of self.

The New Yorker magazine published today a glowing article by Claire Jarvis about Elizabeth von Arnim’s The Enchanted April.

Jarvis calls the novel "quietly subversive” (!)

The Enchanted April is a great read. It was recently reissued by Oxford Classics with an introduction by Isobel Maddison.

Get to San Francisco’s exquisitely generous and free Fillmore Jazz festival this weekend! It reminds me why I left my heart there! (Beautiful art design by Hugh O’Connor my beloved brother.) www.fillmorejazzfest.com

@edinburghup.bsky.social @modernlanguage.bsky.social @moderniststudies.bsky.social

Join The Elizabeth von Arnim Society for a ‘Day on the Town’ event to launch Elizabeth von Arnim: the Unexpected Modernist (EUP June 2025)

11 July 2025, 10-4 EDT

In New York City and online

To register and see the program please visit:

elizabethvonarnimsociety.org/conferences/...

@moderniststudies.bsky.social @modernistudies.bsky.social

@edinburghup.bsky.social

@edinburghup.bsky.social

Please join members of the Elizabeth von Arnim Society for “A Day on the Town with Elizabeth”and help us launch a new essay collection, Elizabeth von Arnim: the Unexpected Modernist.

11 July 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York City (and streaming)

elizabethvonarnimsociety.org/conferences/...

Elizabeth von Arnim:The Unexpected Modernist arrived today! So excited to see this!