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10 historic homes in New Orleans to tour

From haunted to spectacular

As William Faulkner famously wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Nowhere does that feel more true than in his former hometown of New Orleans, where the city’s story is written in its brick-and-beam Creole cottages, bargeboard shotgun homes, and midcentury modern homes by the lakefront. The history of its architecture follows the history of its people, and with this in mind, Curbed New Orleans mapped 10 homes to tour, whether you’re a local or a tourist.

Pitot House

Home of the Louisiana Landmarks Society, this 19th-century structure was once home to New Orleans Mayor James Pitot. The pristine house remains furnished with antiques from the 19th century. It’s also the only colonial West Indies country house open to the public in the city and includes a museum and 10,000-square-foot garden on site.

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Part of the Louisiana State Museum system, this home offers a peek into the mid-19th century. Located near Jackson Square, this houses is filled with antiques and is furnished in a way that reflects upper-middle class life. This home may be one of the oldest standing apartments in the United States.

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Longue Vue House & Gardens

If you’re looking for more than a home to visit, check out this historic estate that holds one of New Orleans’s most famous house museums. Deemed a national historic landmark, this home’s garden, fountains, and groves space span over eight acres, including interactive areas for children.  

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House of Broel

A popular wedding venue, this Victorian mansion is a treat for those who appreciate details. Large chandeliers, elegant decor, and a grand ballroom are some of this home’s spectacular features. This home also holds a gallery of dollhouses built by previous House of Broel owner, Bonnie Broel.

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Gallier House

Built more than 150 years ago, this home is an elegant example of the Victorian-era lifestyle and design. It was one of the first to have both hot and cold running water in the mid-19th century. 

And, you’ve guessed it: This home belonged to famous architects James Gallier and his son James Gallier Jr.

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Hermann-Grima House

Spectators note this 18th-century home for its expansive outbuildings and courtyard. It is furnished with mid-19th century antiques, and nearly a third of them belonged to the Hermann or Grima families. 

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Rising Sun Bed & Breakfast

If you’re talking about historic homes in New Orleans, don’t overlook Algiers Point, New Orleans’s second oldest neighborhood. A year after 1895’s Great Fire of Algiers ravaged a 19th-century cottage, this historic shotgun double was built on the home’s foundation. While renovated, many of its original features are still intact.

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Beauregard-Keyes House

Architect Francois Correjolles built this beautifully restored home in 1826 for a wealthy auctioneer. Over the last 193 years, this home has had several affluent owners and was rented by General P.G.T. Beauregard shortly after the Civil War. With its manicured gardens and fountain, this home has one of the most beautiful courtyards in the French Quarter.

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Madame John's Legacy

One of the few pieces of architecture that survived the great fire of 1794 in the French Quarter, this 18th-century complex includes a main house, a kitchen, and a two-story dependency. Very few homes are as old as this historic property in the French Quarter, and it is one of the few remaining examples of the French Colonial style.

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Magnolia Mansion

Not far from the home once owned by Anne Rice , this mansion currently operates as a bed and breakfast. Built in 1858, this palatial home went through several affluent owners and the New Orleans Chapter of the American Red Cross. Rumor says spirits haunt this old home. 

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Exploring New Orleans Homes and Secret Gardens

New Orleans is known for many things, not the least of which is her architecture . With an abundance of homes from the 19th century, many of which historic, and the secret gardens to complement them, it's no wonder why one of the favorite pastimes of visitors is to go on a tour of homes. What makes New Orleans home and garden tours so special is that most of the historic housing stock is privately owned and lived in by New Orleans families. Every year, different homes are opened for a rare chance to see inside.

The Preservation Resource Center Holiday Tour of Homes

Every year the private homeowners of several of the mansions in the Garden District of New Orleans  open their homes for a good cause. The Preservation Resource Center, a group dedicated to preserving the unique architectural heritage of New Orleans, sponsors the Holiday Tour of Homes. The tour is self-guided and the homes are beautifully decorated for the holidays. The tour is in early December on a Saturday and Sunday and also includes a cafe and holiday boutique with many vendors. Taking the tour and buying gifts at the holiday boutique makes for a fun day in New Orleans.

Faubourg Marigny Tour of Homes

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Faubourg Marigny, the second oldest faubourg (neighborhood) in New Orleans , sponsors two tours annually, one in spring and one in fall. These tours all start in Washington Square Park on the corner of Royal Street and Esplanade Avenue. They have guided tours of the area, which is the most Creole faubourg in New Orleans. It's a great chance to learn a little history as you walk. There are entertainment and a kids area set up in Washington Square Park to enjoy while you wait for the next tour. The tour in spring takes you inside some of the Creole homes, while the tour in fall is longer, but usually, doesn't go into the homes. Tickets usually run about $20.

The Secret Garden Tour of French Quarter Homes

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This tour, on a weekend in mid-October, lets you into some of the hidden gardens of the French Quarter homes. It's a chance to see some of the secret sanctuaries of the families who live in the French Quarter. Many visitors to New Orleans are surprised to learn that the French Quarter is a living, breathing neighborhood. The gardens, in the tradition of Creole architecture, are hidden from the street. Once a year some of these doors are open to the public for this self-guided tour.

Secret Gardens of Uptown Tour

This tour is also a garden tour that happens in March . Spring comes early to New Orleans and by March our gardens are alive and fragrant with azaleas, camellias, sweet olive trees, jasmine, and more. Every year there are several gardens of Uptown New Orleans homes open for viewing. You can purchase a box lunch to take with you. There is also a garden boutique, and some high-end artworks to purchase. Tickets are usually about $60 for the guided tour and $25 for the self-guided tour.

Algiers Point Tour of Homes

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Algiers is a part of New Orleans that lies on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. It's a neighborhood of tree-shaded streets and 19th-century homes. Every October, the Algiers Point Neighborhood Association offers a tour of homes. You can get there by taking the Canal Street Ferry (be sure to get the one to Algiers. There is another ferry from Canal Street that goes to Gretna.) It's free and about a 6-minute ride across the river. The tour is within walking distance of the ferry landing.

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Holiday Home Tours

Every year during the holidays, New Orleanians decorate their homes in the most festive seasonal décor, and some even open their doors for public viewing! Visit New Orleans during the holidays and check out the holiday home tours to experience the magical ambiance of New Orleans homes.

Two local organizations, the Preservation Resource Center and the Patio Planters, conduct New Orleans holiday home tours during select weekends in December. The PRC tours focus on homes in the city’s Garden District and the Patio Planters tours include residences in the French Quarter.

Homes of the Garden District

Tour the interiors and grounds of several stunning private homes all dressed up for the holidays in the historic Garden District brought to you by the Preservation Resource Center. Festivities also include live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more.

Homes of the French Quarter

The Patio Planters Holiday Home Tour is self-guided, featuring several elegant old French Quarter residences, some of which have attractive courtyards and gardens gaily festooned in the spirit of the holidays.

As its name implies, the nonprofit Patio Planters organization is “dedicated to the beautification of the Vieux Carre, mainly from a horticultural point of view” according to its mission statement. Proceeds from the tour go to benefit a major holiday event held on the evening of the tour date –  Caroling in Jackson Square .

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Louisiana’s Antebellum Homes

Learn about life in old louisiana.

Authentically restored antebellum mansions await your discovery just a few minutes from New Orleans, each with its own unique story to tell. Learn what life was like for both the owners and the enslaved people who lived here before the Civil War–before our nation was truly the land of the free. While a day trip is easy, consider spending the night at the beautiful Inn at Houmas House . For more information on our grand estates and their history, see below.

Life at Destrehan Plantation Tour

Just 10 minutes from the New Orleans airport is Destrehan Plantation, where costumed storytellers will take you back in time with stories of the families who lived here, both free and enslaved. Highlights include folklife demonstrations, an exhibit on the 1811 Slave Revolt at the Miller-Haydel Museum in a former slave cabin, and an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson. The gift shop features handmade items from local artisans. Proceeds from all tours go to the restoration of Destrehan Plantation. Learn more about their nightly Haunted Plantation Tour .  BOOK NOW

Destrehan Plantation & Spuddy's Cajun Cooking Combo Tour

Get a taste of life in the South, both figuratively and literally, on this 4.5 hour experience at Destrehan Plantation. This combination tour includes the Experience Life at Destrehan Plantation Tour along with a cooking demonstration from Maitland "Spuddy” Faucheux, owner of Spuddy's Cajun Foods and Cajun Cooking Experience. It includes an authentic Cajun lunch or dinner in the historic mule barn. The tour must be booked 30 days in advance & requires a minimum of 35 participants.   Learn More

Unheard Voices Tour at Destrehan Plantation

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Explore beyond the Big Easy to a history and culture all its own. You'll be captivated by the massive mansions situated on large well-kept grounds as you hear tales of wealth, grandeur, and tragedy.

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Louisiana antebellum culture.

To look away from the Old South is not the answer. To truly understand American history is to know what life was like for both the owners of the “Big Houses” and the enslaved workforce who made them prosperous. Most of the most storied antebellum estates have adapted their tours to tell “the whole story.” The truth is just a short drive from New Orleans. Come discover it.

The Great River Road and beyond

Many of the estates closest to New Orleans are along the River Road corridor, a stretch of land that runs for nearly seventy miles along the Mississippi. Beginning with Oak Alley in 1925, the “Big Houses” on River Road began to be restored. In recent years, programs have been put in place to allow visitors to hear the whole story of life in the Old South–not just the glamorized Hollywood version. 

St. Joseph Plantation

Circa, 1830, St. Joseph, has been family owned since 1877 and is one of the few fully intact sugar cane plantations in the River Parishes. Composed of 2,500 acres (including its "sister" property, Felicité), St. Joseph stretches back from the Mississippi River as far as the eye can see. Take a walk through time as you enjoy a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the many interesting people who have called St. Joseph home. Many tours are guided by family members themselves.

Destrehan Plantation

Destrehan, built by Jean Noel Destrehan in 1787, is the oldest documented plantation house left intact in the lower Mississippi Valley. It was here that the process of producing granulated sugar was perfected, helping to establish sugar cane as the major crop of the area, replacing indigo. Today, the house is open for guided tours that highlight the lives of the people who lived and worked here. In one of the rooms, the walls and ceiling are unfinished, giving a glimpse into building methods of days gone by. 

Ormond Plantation

Ormond, built in the late 1700s, claims to be the oldest French West Indies-style plantation in the lower Mississippi valley. It began as a farm for indigo but later switched to the more profitable sugar cane crop. Originally acquired as a French land grant, Ormond stretched from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. It provided makeshift housing for troops heading to the Battle of New Orleans and was a prize to be captured during the Civil War. Today the estate is but a mere 16 acres but is restored, as closely as possible, to the way it was during its prime. 

Houmas House 

One of the most visited antebellum homes near New Orleans is Houmas House, ranked the No. 2 Historic Home Tour in the country by USA Today. Houmas House was built in 1840 by Col. John Smith Preston, on land originally owned by the Houmas Indians, hence the name.  In 1858 the house and 12,000 acres were sold to Irishman John Burnside, one of the nation’s leading sugar producers. To this day, the home is sometimes referred to as the "Burnside House." It was used as the filming location for the film "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte," starring Bette Davis. The gardens are absolutely lovely here year-round.

Laura 

Laura was built in the French "Creole" style, rather than in the style of the English or American antebellum homes common throughout the area. While it has the wide veranda that most homes of its kind had, the ceilings were not quite as high, and the architectural style is noticeably different. Upon entering, you see a sign that proclaims Laura to be "The American Home of Br'er Rabbit.” In 1871, Alcee Fortier wrote down the stories he heard the enslaved workers pass down to their children in Creole French. 

Madewood 

This Greek Revival mansion on Bayou Lafourche was built by Irish-American Henry Howard, in 1846 for sugar baron Colonel Thomas Pugh and his wife Eliza. Nestled among moss-draped oaks, on acres of quiet land, few places are more peaceful than Madewood. As a bonus, there is a very old family graveyard on the grounds. Open up the creaking gate, and discover tombs and headstones of those who called Madewood home so many years ago. 

Nottoway 

The largest of the “Big Houses” remaining in Louisiana is Nottoway, built in 1857 by John Hampden Randolph who amassed a great fortune in sugar. The house has 50 rooms, which were certainly needed, as John Randolph had 11 children. Inside, one cannot escape the beauty and elegance of its famous White Ballroom, once the site of balls that would go on late into the night. It is said that Nottoway was the first on River Road to have a bathroom on the second floor.

This Greek Revival home is supported by 28 columns, each is 8 feet in circumference, with 15-foot high ceilings and 16-inch thick brick walls. The 13-foot wide veranda surrounds the house on all four sides, offering a splendid view, and ample shade and protection from the sun or rain. From the main entrance, two rows of 14 magnificent oak trees (now 250 years old) line the walk to the Mississippi River, a quarter mile away, hence the name "Oak Alley.”

Louisiana Grand Estates

Louisiana grand estates, once where cotton and sugarcane were grown, now offer visitors a look into the rich history of Louisiana. Many of the most famous and beautiful mansions in the south are located just a short drive from New Orleans.

Louisiana Grand Estate History

The grand estate culture in the New Orleans area dates back to the beginnings of an agricultural economy in the 1700’s when farmers were needed to provide food for the new economy. Many of the historic homes are older than two hundred years.

A number of crops have been grown on the estates for food and for profit. Corn and rice have been staples throughout the existence of the estates to feed the farm’s animals, slaves and owners. In the 1700’s the area’s most profitable crop was indigo, a plant that was used to make blue dye. By the 1800’s, farmers turned to commercial crops of cotton, sugarcane and tobacco.

The farmer’s homes started as simple dwellings, but as the farmers found commercial success they built houses to match their newfound riches. As the farmers became richer, they replaced their homes with newer, larger and more impressive homes. Many of the estates mix simple Creole style with the unmistakable Greek revival columns, curved stairs, semi-detached wings and other stylish designs of the period that showed off the owner’s wealth.

River Road Grand Estates

Many of the estates closest to New Orleans are along the  River Road  corridor, a stretch of land that runs for nearly seventy miles along the Mississippi.

Beginning in the early 19th century, travelers to the area began to note the splendor of area estate homes, which were often grand mansions on sprawling acres of carefully tended gardens and auxiliary buildings. Even more important than the big houses were these smaller buildings, which were often where the estate’s moneymaking activities took place--sugar milling, for example. Mississippi estates primarily focused on sugar production, though cotton estates were also present. Slave quarters were located on the plantation grounds, making each plantation into a self-contained community.

However, following the Civil War and improvements in sugar production, many River Road plantations became unprofitable and fell into ruin. Some houses were lost or destroyed entirely, with their valuable history following suit. The appearance of tobacco mosaic disease (TMV), which ruined fields of sugarcane, also contributed to the 1920s downfall of the once-prosperous plantation model, along with a weak economy, the encroachment of the river, and federal action. Land began to be divided between owners, resulting in untended parcels of land marring the lovely, cohesive appearance that River Road visitors had admired.

Beginning with  Oak Alley  in 1925, River Road plantations began to be restored, and this restoration continued through the 1940s. Despite the presence of new industry in this Mississippi corridor, such as petrochemical plants, many plantation homes were able to return to glory, and remain testaments to the grandeur and history of old Louisiana.

Circa, 1830, St. Joseph Plantation, has been family owned since 1877, and is one of the few fully intact sugar cane plantations in the River Parishes. Composed of 2500 acres (including our "sister" plantation, Felicité), our property stretches back from the Mississippi River as far as the eye can see.

You will find many tours guided by family members themselves. So, take a walk through time as you enjoy a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the many interesting people who have called this plantation "Home."

This plantation is the birthplace of H. H. Richardson, one of America's most important architects of the 19th century.

The maison principale was acquired by a French doctor, who was hired to care for the masters, their families, and slaves.

Josephine Aime, daughter of Valcour Aime, "The Louis XIV of Louisiana", married Alexis Ferry, and purchased the plantation in 1859. Learn about their lavish lifestyle that existed prior to the Civil War.

The lives of these families through the years were deeply intertwined with neighboring plantations, Oak Alley, Laura, "Le Petit Versailles", and still to this day, Felicité.

Learn about the sugar cane industry in South Louisiana from 1795, when sugar was first produced on a commercial scale and was considered white gold. View the renovated slave cabins as well as Creole Cottages, detached kitchen, barns, chicken coops, blacksmith shop carpenter shop and other dependencies necessary to sustain life during these early years.

Tireless volunteers, some, cousins as distant as the fourth degree, have come together to once again breathe new life into this beautiful house. Other plantations, talk about the antebellum history through the Civil War, and their timelines stop there. Our family takes pride in continuing to preserve our heritage of over 135 years.

To complete your experience, St. Joseph Plantation gift shop offers many items created by Louisiana artist, and craftsmen.

Destrehan and Ormond Plantations

Two historic Antebellum Plantation Homes that are within 30 minutes of New Orleans are Destrehan Plantation and Ormond Plantation. Both are within two miles of each other, and are just 10 minutes from the New Orleans International Airport. If you visit, one, you may as well visit both, since they are so close.

Destrehan Plantation was built in 1787, originally of West Indies architecture, but later renovated to the then popular Greek Revival Style. It is the oldest documented plantation house left intact in the lower Mississippi Valley.

The plantation bears the name of its builder, Jean Noel Destrehan, who acquired the estate from his father-in-law, Robin de Longy. It was here that the process of producing granulated sugar was perfected, and helped to establish sugar cane as the major crop of the area, replacing indigo. After years of neglect, restoration is now continuing. Today, the house is open for guided tours, and is available for dinner parties, wedding receptions and special events.

Claiming to be the oldest French West Indies style plantation in the lower Mississippi valley, Ormond was also built in the late 1700's. Like most of the early plantations of the area, it began as a farm for indigo, but later switched to the more profitable sugar cane crop.

Originally acquired as a French land grant, the plantation stretched from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. During its long history, it was the focal point for parties and celebrations, a prize to be captured during the Civil War, makeshift housing for troops heading to the Battle of New Orleans, and more.

Today the estate is but a mere 16 acres, but is restored, as closely as possible, to the way it was during its prime. It is privately owned, and the owner lives in the house. Several rooms are available to guests as a Bed and Breakfast, allowing visitors to savor the atmosphere of the 19th century, with a view of the mighty Mississippi River from the upper gallery. It is becoming quite a popular place to have weddings and honeymoons.

History Most people think of decadent opulence and pampered life-styles when they think of the plantations of the 18th and 19th centuries. It is sobering to consider that, among other things, there was no plumbing. A pitcher on the dresser held water for washing. Hot water had to be carried up to the rooms, and people would "go down for a bath" once a month (no indoor bathrooms).

Indoor toilet facilities didn't exist, so one had to trek to the "privy". The cold of winter made it seem too far, yet the heat of summer produced aromas that made it seem too close.

Food was prepared in a kitchen, separate from the main house, and carried inside to be served. To go to the second floor, one had to go outside to use the stairs - there were no inside stairs, either. Drinking water came from cisterns, which captured rainwater from the roof. All in all, I think that my modest life-style is far better than the life of luxury, enjoyed in the 19th century.

One of the most interesting features of the Destrehan Plantation tour is one of the rooms, which is preserved in a state that allows you to see the building methods. The walls are unfinished, showing the bare support for the plaster, and the ceiling is removed, showing the timbers of the attic. Today, with all of our modern materials and building methods, it is nice to see how, 250 years ago, buildings could be built that are more durable than those built today.

Houmas House Mansion and Gardens 

One of the most visited Antebellum Homes near New Orleans is the Houmas House Mansion, ranked the No. 2 Historic Home Tour in the country by USA Today .   Not only do tourists come by the busloads, but locals may make the drive to spend a couple of hours on the grounds, followed by lunch in nearby restaurants, before returning home. Houmas is a home with the architectural style that most people envision when they think of the old grand estates. It was used as the filming location for the film "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charolette," starring Bette Davis.

Located in the small river community of Darrow, LA, it sits on a few acres on the Mississippi River, much smaller than the 20,000 acres that it once had. The present Houmas House was built in 1840 by Col. John Smith Preston, on land originally owned by the Houmas Indians, hence the name.

Records seem to show that Maurice Conway and Alexandre Latil purchased the land from the Indians. It was Latil who built the first structure, in the late 18th century, while Louisiana was a Spanish territory. Somehow Daniel Clark came to own the property, then sold it in 1812, to Revolutionary War General Wade Hampton of South Carolina.

General Hampton's daughter, Caroline, married John Smith Preston, and together they acquired ownership of the property. In 1840 they built the present mansion, known today as Houmas House. The original structure still stands, and is connected to the main house at the rear.

In 1858 they sold the house and 12,000 acres to Irishman John Burnside, one of the nations leading sugar producers, and to this day, the home is sometimes referred to as the "Burnside House."

La Branche Plantation Dependency House

La Branche Plantation Dependency House, on the River Road in St. Rose, LA, is an interesting stop on the Southeastern Louisiana Plantation tour, because it is a visit to a plantation home that no longer exists. All that remains is the Dependency House, which had a function that is pretty much what the name implies. It is what we usually call a Garconniere (French for bachelor quarters). La Branche is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Zweig family, of Germany, built the plantation in 1792. Because of neglect, the effects of the Civil War, the economics during and after Reconstruction, and the division of the property among heirs, there is little left to indicate what was once there, save for "an alley" of Oaks. The site of the main house is on private land, and is not accessible to anyone, without the permission of the owners. The Dependency House is on land currently owned by the Lentini family, and is open to the public.

A tour of the Dependency House is interesting enough, though, because it gives a clue to the lifestyle or young bachelors of the day. Anyone who ever raised teenaged boys can understand the logic of moving their bedrooms out of the house. By contemporary standards, the furnishings are austere. They are quite functional, but not what I would call luxurious. It is not the original furnishings of the house, but typical pieces from that period. Included in the inventory is the actual bathtub of Zachery Taylor.

One of the really interesting features on the property is a preserved slave quarters building, which has been restored, as much as possible, to show the actual living quarters that a slave family (or families) might have, including the sparse furnishings that were common for the time. Preserved slave quarters are rare for a number of reasons. Most often, plantation land was purchased by oil refineries and industrial plants, and such buildings were usually cleared away. The main houses were typically used for office buildings, so more of them remain.

Laura Plantation

Laura Plantation is a little different than most of the Louisiana antebellum plantations, in that it is built in the French "Creole" style, rather than in the style of the English or American antebellum homes common throughout the area. While it has the wide veranda that most plantation homes had, the ceilings were not quite as high, and the architectural style is noticeably different.

The home was just recently opened to the public, and restoration is in progress (with much yet to be done). It is a worthy project, for too much antebellum history has been already lost. According to Mr. Norman Marmillion, owner and manager of Laura, "Twenty five years ago, before we knew anything about Laura or her Memoirs, we wanted to save this small place. It was because of those last houses you can see in the back. We have four of the old slave cabins standing. There were once 69 cabins and people lived in those houses until 1977."

Upon entering, you see a sign that proclaims Laura to be "The American Home of Br'er Rabbit". Local guides explain that, "…in 1871, a neighbor of Laura's, by the name of Alcee Fortier, just 18 years old, came into the cabins here and on neighboring plantations. Here he wrote down the stories he heard the workers telling their children in Creole French. Fortier recorded some 20 stories about Compair Lapin and Compair Bouki (the clever rabbit and the stupid fool). Twenty-five years later, Fortier was president of the American Folklore Society and Dean at Tulane University. He published his stories, calling them "Louisiana Folktales." One year later, these stories were adapted and published by his friend and colleague in Georgia, Joel Chandler Harris and, from that day, the English-speaking world has known these stories as the "Tales of Br'er Rabbit."

Madewood Plantation

This Greek Revival style mansion was designed by Henry Howard, an Irish-American architect with more than 280 buildings to his credit, including the grand antebellum homes Nottoway near White Castle, the Belmond Plantation in St. James Parish and Edgewood in Natchez, Mississippi. He also completed the Pontalba Buildings on Jackson Square which were begun by James Gallier.

Nestled among moss-draped oaks, on acres of quiet land, few places are more peaceful than Madewood. You can come for a tour or stay overnight in the "Big House."  furnished with period antiques. As a bonus, there is a very old family graveyard on the grounds. Open up the creaking gate, and discover tombs and headstones of those who called Madewood home so many years ago. 

Nottoway Plantation

The largest of the Antebellum Plantations remaining in Louisiana, is Nottoway Plantation, located on River Road (LA 405), in White Castle, south of Baton Rouge. It was second in size and grandeur only to Belle Grove Plantation Home, which suffered a series of disasters, and finally succumbed to fire.

Nottoway was built in 1857 by John Hampden Randolph, of Virginia, who amassed a great fortune in sugar. The house has 50 rooms, which were certainly needed, as John Randolph had 11 children. It is said that Nottoway was the first Plantation Home to have a bathroom on the second floor.

Inside, one cannot escape the beauty and elegance of its famous White Ballroom. It was the center of all of the Randolph's entertainment activities, with parties, receptions and balls that would go on late into the night. Today, the Grand White Ballroom is a favorite setting for wedding receptions.

Nottoway is open for public tours, and has bed and breakfast accommodations, a restaurant and a gift shop. Many visitors enjoy the bonus of watching Paddlewheel Riverboats, such as the Delta Queen, as they pass Nottoway Plantation on their journey up the Mississippi River.

"One of the great things about living in New Orleans, is that you can enjoy the nice tourist spots every day." Oak Alley is truly the quintessential Southern Antebellum home. It is a massive Greek revival home, supported by 28 columns, each 8 feet in circumference, with 15-foot high ceilings and 16-inch thick brick walls. The 13 foot wide veranda surrounds the house on all four sides, offering a splendid view, and ample shade and protection from the sun or rain. From the main entrance, two rows of 14 magnificent oak trees (now 250 years old) line the walk to the Mississippi River, a quarter mile away, hence the name "Oak Alley".

Today, one has so much more to savor. In the last few years, several cabins have been provided as Bed and Breakfast accommodations, allowing visitors to spend the night. What an experience to visit such a place, and have time to enjoy the grounds, without having to rush off to a motel after the tour! If you are lucky, you might even see one of the paddlewheel riverboats docking, allowing its passengers the opportunity to visit.

Oak Alley now has a restaurant, that is open early enough for breakfast and remains open long enough for a late lunch. The menu is traditional Cajun and Creole Food, and I've never been disappointed. At the restaurant also is a small gift shop, but it is for keepsakes, not a commercial store. Of course, if you enjoy picnic lunches, Oak Alley provides picnic tables under the cool oak trees near the parking area.

There are special events scheduled on the grounds throughout the year.

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Noaf’s 3rd annual fall home tour.

New Orleans Architecture Foundation is holding their third annual Fall Home Tour this weekend! Tickets are $15-$30 to peek inside 7 fabulous homes in the Audubon/Uptown Neighborhood. You can buy tickets online at here . Last week I popped uptown to learn a little more about Caroline and Murray Calhoun’s home at 452 Audubon Street.

House Description

This house is a fine example of Colonial Revival architecture, a very popular American architecture style dating from 1890’s to 1940’s. This architectural movement’s rise to prominence at the end of the 1800’s coincided with the nation’s first centennial celebrations, and a new interest in historic preservation.  This architectural style is a little hard to pin down because it is so diverse. The hallmarks of this style include the blending of earlier colonial (Georgian and Federal) styles with antebellum (Greek Revival and Italianate) styles found up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

On first glance, this home has a decidedly antebellum look, with its two story columns that support a triangular pediment. However, the half circle transoms over the windows and that lovely fanlight decorating the pediment let the observer know that we are dealing with something a little more modern. The first and second story windows are mismatched in a way that would not have happened in previous eras. With this house it is clear that the architect was free from the earlier constraints of symmetry and designed this home to reflect the ideals of past architecture but add a new twist. After all, it is Colonial Revival, not Colonial Copies.

This home was designed by Frank G. Churchill, native of Natchez, Mississippi. He received a scholarship to Tulane University granted by New Orleans Mayor Shakespeare, but left college early to explore painting in Cincinnati Ohio. Upon his return to New Orleans, he managed the offices of Favrot & Livaudais, a prolific architecture firm responsible for one of New Orleans’ most recognizable buildings – the Hibernia Bank Building. Later, Frank entered the firm of DeBuys , Churchill & Labouisse (1905-1912) whose most notable project is the Loyola University Complex. This home was designed by Churchill as an independent project in 1918, clearly the culmination of all he learned in those other firms.

This century old building has been home to a few different families over the years. In 1928 it was bought by Kemper Williams whose collection of art and artifacts later became the foundation for the Historic New Orleans Collection. Today this beautiful home is owned by Caroline and Murray Calhoun.

Quick Interview

Last week I dropped in on Caroline and Murray to talk about their beautiful home. Coming into the foyer, I was met by their two adorable pugs, Millie and Mac who were just so excited to have a new guest in their home!

From the foyer, Caroline led me down the hall to the den. As we passed, I peeked to the left into the parlor. The colors in this house are muted, mostly lots of whites with touches of blues and golds. The artwork is a mix of contemporary and antique pieces. The plaster detailing in the ceiling is of a delicate design containing anthemions, little hearts and tiny flowers. It looks like cake icing.

To the right of the foyer is a delightful sunroom which also follows the design palette that appears to run through the house, or at least the downstairs. It looks like a comfy spot to relax and read a book. Love the painting of the pug in the corner! Is that one of the little dogs that met me earlier at the door?

We walked through the foyer and down the hall to chat in the office. This office was paneled with a light wood that appeared to have cheetah spots painted on it. I later learned that the wood was not painted that way, but is naturally speckled – it is called pecking cypress. It really warms up the room and creates visual interest.

From our talk I learned that the Calhouns seemed to have pretty great luck with this house. On so many occasions you hear about homes of this age being full of maintenance woes, but this was not the case for them.  In the time that they have owned this house the most troubling issue was a small cast iron plumbing pipe leak and some rotting floors from a landscaping issue. Otherwise, the work that they have had to do was mostly cosmetic. The previous owners had done a few updates such as remodeling the master bedroom and removing the butler’s pantry.

“We are not ever going to change the layout, we think the architect did a good job.” Mr. Calhoun said. Music to this preservationist’s ears!

Be sure to check out this gorgeous home, and all the others on NOAF’s Fall home tour!!

Works Cited:

Cangelosi, Robert J., Jr., Dorothy G. Schlesinger, Hillary Somerville Irvin, Bernard Lemann, and Samuel Wilson, Jr. New Orleans Architecture. The University Section: Joseph Street to Lowerline Street, Mississippi River to Walmsley Avenue . Vol. 8. Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company, 2011.

Cangelosi, Robert, Jr., and Hilary Irvin. “Uptown Architecture.” Preservation in Print , December 1983, 6-7. Accessed September 20, 2018. http://prcno.org/programs/preservationinprint/piparchives/1983 PIP/December 1983/7.html.

“Orleans Artist, Architect, Dies in Life’s Prime.” The Times-Picayune 7 March 1924.

Rylance, Keli. “Architects’ Libraries.” Architecture Research. November 08, 2015. Accessed September 20, 2018. http://southeasternarchitecture.blogspot.com/2015/08/architects-libraries.html.

And special thanks to Caroline and Murray Calhoun for showing me their fabulous home!

Designer Homes

Tour a 19th-century new orleans home full of life and color.

B uilt in 1869 in New Orleans’s historic Garden District, Jane Scott Hodges’s grand Greek Revival is the kind of home that could easily be turned into a period-perfect show house, full of beautiful but untouchable rooms.

But for Jane Scott, founder of luxury home brand Leontine Linens, and her husband, it was time for something a bit different. “We’d had that big, proper, serious house on the hill,” says Jane Scott of her family’s former home on 30 acres in Kentucky, which they had beautifully restored. This time around, they bucked all expectations of what a historic home had to be. “My theme for this year has been confidence,” Jane Scott says—in the case of her home, the confidence to embrace her passion for color and pattern, to welcome friends eagerly and often, and to create a space that perfectly suits her family’s needs.

Stately columns, iron railings, and an all-white facade lend the 19th-century house a grand yet inviting stature. Jane Scott loves the community spirit of her Garden District neighborhood.

A Familiar Place, a Fresh Start

The move to New Orleans was both a homecoming and the beginning of a new phase for Jane Scott. After attending Tulane and starting her business (and family) in New Orleans, she returned for a period to her native Kentucky, where her parents still lived and where the Leontine Linens workroom is located.

But with their son and daughter soon headed off to college, Jane Scott and her husband, Philip, craved a new space that would suit their love of entertaining while feeling happy and welcoming for the kids returning from school. To find that home, they looked to their beloved New Orleans, stalking real estate in the coveted Garden District. “New Orleans has a very low inventory, so there’s not a lot available,” Jane Scott says, but “this house kept coming back to us.” The historic two-story structure came with its quirks, however (read: dark, closed-off rooms and a cramped entryway). “We had to really think about what we could do with it to make it our own. We wanted to create spaces where everybody felt like they could live.”

Jane Scott compares the narrow entryway layout to that of a London town house. A slim demilune table helps maximize space—and sets off a view to the parlor beyond.

Letting the Light In

Enlisting the help of a longtime friend, decorator Gwen Driscoll (“She knows what I’ll do and what I won’t do!”), Jane Scott embarked on a major renovation that would transform the grand house into a fun family home. “We basically put a new house in an old house!” she says.

The goal? Lighten and brighten every room—including the entryway, with its narrow footprint and front-facing stairs (“so unforgiving!”). The doorway leading into the parlor was enlarged, with a second opening added down the hall. Now light pours in from the home’s expansive windows, and the view through to the back door is even more spectacular.

Jane Scott opted for a neutral wallpaper in the foyer and added a stair runner in complementary hues. This almost monochromatic palette greets visitors with a moment of calm, while white-limed wood floors and an oversize mirror bounce around light for an even more airy feel.

Now that it’s filled with cozy conversation spots, everyone gravitates to the double parlor. Jane Scott often ends up here with friends, catching up over a cup of tea.

A Space to Entertain

Next on the agenda? Restoring the front parlor to its former splendor. A previous occupant had added a wall to divide the space, creating a small library in the front and a living room behind. Opening up the room was transformative—light suddenly streamed in from all sides—but Jane Scott went one step further and lacquered the walls chartreuse. It’s a bold choice (“That took a moment of bravery!” she laughs), but with the crisp white moldings and otherwise-neutral decor, the color doesn’t overwhelm—it glows.

The double parlor is now Jane Scott’s ideal entertaining space, far removed from the “off-limits” formal living room that graces many an old home. “You have to go in because it’s so opened up to that entry hall. What I love about our house is we live in every inch of it. There’s not a room that’s taboo.”

The wooden parquet de Versailles dining table features a decorative iron base. The chandelier was a lucky bargain find.

Enjoying the Social Life

Jane Scott has embraced the role of hostess in this new house, taking pleasure in sharing the space with family and friends. The key, she says, is remembering that memories and experiences matter more than achieving any ideal of hostess perfection, and the dining room perfectly reflects this sense of perspective. Crowned with a stunning chandelier and wrapped in sumptuous purple grass-cloth wallpaper, the room has a grand feel that nods to the house’s history. The formality ends there, however. To make diners feel cozy, Jane Scott pulled up a settee on one side of the table in lieu of dining chairs. “I always joke, ‘Who doesn’t want to snuggle with their dinner partner?’” And when it comes to the guest list, the more the merrier: Velvet-upholstered stools serve as extra seating in a pinch. “We’re a little cozy,” she says. “But for me, it’s about taking it down a notch and remembering that it’s about the experience for everybody else and not about appearances or perfection.”

In the foyer just outside the dining room, a chest keeps candles, napkin rings, and other tabletop accessories within easy reach.

Not everybody has a model house, but you’re not really expected to. It’s just fun to share it. — Jane Scott Hodges

Framed artwork, striped bistro stools, and colorful cookbooks on open shelves add dimension to the all-white kitchen.

A Cook’s Clean Slate

A love of entertaining necessitated a truly functional kitchen, so Jane Scott set out to modernize and streamline the space. Consulting with Philip (the chef of the family), she installed deep drawers, plenty of under-counter storage for appliances, and extra-tall upper cabinets. This leaves the marble countertops gloriously clear for prep and serving, as well as for informal meals on the bistro-style stools.

Aesthetically the kitchen is an intentional departure from the rest of the home. All bright white and cool marble, it’s a “neutral moment” after the richness of the aubergine-hued dining room. Palm-covered wallpaper adds subtle pattern that continues into the den.

The den features artwork by her friend Alex Beard atop Cole & Son’s Palm wallpaper.

Embracing Fearless Pattern

“Everybody congregates back there,” Jane Scott says of the sunlit den, where she once again summoned her confidence, upholstering a sectional in Schumacher’s bold Chiang Mai Dragon fabric and topping it with punchy pillows in coral and citron hues. Abstract artwork adds another layer of interest, and modern red chairs enliven an antique wooden farm table. The effect is lively yet comfortable—a perfect space for the kids and their friends to lounge or watch a movie.

A desk that belonged to Philip as a child is now the go-to spot for letter-writing and homework. Black-and-white wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler makes the high ceilings feel even more expansive.

Creating a Family Retreat

While the kids are downstairs with their friends, Jane Scott and Philip can “scurry up and hide” in the upstairs study. Formerly a spare bedroom, the space has become a family hub. “It’s our favorite room in the house, and not just because of the decor but because of the comfort level,” she says. “It’s just this little cocoon room where everybody seems to want to write their notes, or do their homework, or close the drapery and watch a Sunday football game. It’s been really interesting to see how you adapt to a space as a family.”

To create that cocoonlike effect, Jane Scott enveloped the room in black-and-white patterns: a large-scale floral for the drapery and a Deco geometric for the wallpaper. Traditional wood furnishings warm things up even further, and hints of yellow and gold ensure the cozy space still feels sunny.

A playful painting by Hunt Slonem brings a dose of cool color to the monochromatic walls.

What I love about our house is we live in every inch of it. There’s not a room that’s taboo. — Jane Scott Hodges

Linens and drapery in orange and lavender make for a dreamy guest bed.

The Comforts of Home

In true Southern style, Jane Scott welcomes overnight guests. “There’s something really special about opening your home to people,” she says. When her son and daughter are at school, their rooms play host to friends and family and are outfitted accordingly with thoughtful touches for guests: flowers and a carafe of water on the nightstand, an extra blanket for chilly nights, and bedside lamps for comfy reading.

While she takes pride in these details, Jane Scott makes sure to keep perspective when it comes to impressing guests. “No one’s looking at your baseboards,” she says. “They just want to hang out with you!”

A graceful built-in nook adds architectural interest and gives the bed a grand presence.

A Room of One’s Own

Because Jane Scott is the creative force behind a line of exquisite linens, it’s no surprise that she has an impeccable eye for color and detail—and she certainly knows how to craft a beautiful bed. When it came to her own bedroom, however, she stalled a bit. “For me, the bedroom is always the hardest room to decorate. It took me three years to do it!” After much tinkering, she and Gwen settled on a soothing color scheme based around a favorite silvery wallpaper. A set of quiet botanical prints harmonizes with the upholstered headboard, and a muted rug creates a soft foundation.

When she wants to switch things up, Jane Scott turns to her forte: bedding. She’ll add embroidered sheets in a contrasting hue or a bright monogrammed pillow, even if the colors don’t perfectly match the rest of the room. “I’m lucky because I have access to lots of bedding,” she says. “But the most important thing to remember is that you’re the one who spends time in your bedroom. There are no wrong answers—it’s about what brings you pleasure and joy.”

Those who love beautiful sheets (and who doesn’t?) but fret over ironing them are mercifully off the hook. “ It’s your bed—it should just be for your pleasure.”

Making the Bed Your Way

This philosophy reflects one of the founding principles of Leontine Linens: taking the intimidation factor out of creating a beautifully appointed bed. “If you want white sheets trimmed in orange, you should have them, just like you might wear a red dress when you normally wear only navy and charcoal gray. No one’s judging you by your linens—it’s about the mix and making yourself comfortable.”

When Jane Scott founded her company 20 years ago, the idea of making monogrammed linens that were modern, bold, and fun was pretty radical. “It’s just wasn’t what anybody was talking about,” she says. “There were monogrammed linens, but they were kind of relegated to the back corner of a room.” After she brought her signature flair to the medium, clients came calling. Her success is a testament to the deeply personal approach she brings to each custom project.

You’re the one who spends time in your bedroom. There are no wrong answers—it’s about what brings you pleasure and joy. — Jane Scott Hodges

Brass hardware and fixtures look timeless—and wonderfully luxe—in the bath.

Fabric panels added inside the armoire-turned-linen closet conceal stacks of monogrammed towels by Leontine Linens.

New Life for Treasured Pieces

In the bath, fresh white walls, a new chevron wood floor, and beautifully veined marble tile project an air of serenity, accentuated by the graceful arched opening over the tub. But it was an antique piece, a painted armoire that had followed Jane Scott from her first New Orleans office to her bedroom in Kentucky and now here to the new house, that really completed the space. The addition was an improvised one: “It evolved after living in the space. And it speaks a lot to not always moving into a perfectly done house—you have to get in there and live in it to see where you need things. There are so many things that you can’t plan for. Sometimes it’s better when it happens organically.”

Related: Inside Tara Shaw’s Breathtaking New Orleans Home >>

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What began as a muddy French settlement on the edge of the Mississippi, has become the United State’s most colorful, flavorful, and musical vacation destination. For 300 years, New Orleans has faced countless hardships and natural disasters, from slavery to epidemics, and most recently Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in 2005. We continue to learn, grow, and carry on, like a parade in the streets. Our city’s “joi de vivre”, or “joy of life” as its translated in the French language, still rings true today. Through it all, we’re happy to call New Orleans’ home.

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Venezuelan comic brings his viral tour to New Orleans

Angelo Colina brings his national comedy tour to New Orleans on Tuesday.

Why it matters: The Venezuelan comic is flipping the narrative by selling out shows and drawing a massive online audience with his entirely Spanish-language sets.

The big picture: Colina's surging popularity comes as demand for Spanish-language content grows.

• The U.S. is home to the second-largest population of Spanish speakers in the world, behind Mexico.

State of play: Most successful Latino comedians — think George Lopez and Cristela Alonzo — have long performed in English.

• Colina, who moved to the U.S. at age 24 to help support his family in Salt Lake City, tells Axios he didn't always perform in Spanish.
• "It was mostly knowing that everything that I wrote in Spanish and then translated to English was better than writing in English from the start," says Colina, who now lives in New York.
• He pulls much of his material from his life experiences, exposing the intricacies of Latino identity. He jokes in one video that he doesn't need therapy because his barber is Dominican.

Case in point: In a bilingual, viral sketch , Colina portrays an insurance representative talking to a customer played by comedian and TV writer Joanna Hausmann.

• Each person suspects the other is Venezuelan, but instead of asking, the caller awkwardly drops slang to confirm she's speaking to a fellow Venezuelan.

Like Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who has never released an English-only track to appease commercial audiences , Colina doesn't feel the need to constrain himself to English-speaking audiences.

• "Doing comedy in English … you really have to explain why you have an accent. You kinda go into these identity politics," he says.
• In 2021, Colina teamed up with Venezuelan comedian Andrés Sereno to launch a tour called " Español Please " that sold out numerous shows.

Between the lines: Colina in an Instagram post attributed his invitation to the White House last year to the fact that he performs in Spanish.

What's next: Colina is on a national tour, intentionally visiting cities that don't have a robust Latino population, including Indianapolis, Indiana; Columbus, Ohio; and Louisville, Kentucky.

If you go: His show is at Comedy House New Orleans at 9:30pm Tuesday. Buy tickets .

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PRC educates today’s preservationists with historic architecture tours, hands-on classes and educational workshops.

Preservation

The PRC facilitates renovations of historic properties, ensuring these buildings are treated with the best practices in historic preservation. The PRC’s Revival Grants program provides free home repairs to low- to  moderate-income homeowners and works to preserve the historic architecture and culture of our city’s oldest neighborhoods.

Preservation easements are one of the most powerful tools available, and PRC’s easement portfolio protects 140 historic buildings in the New Orleans area.

Upcoming Events & Classes

St. Charles Baptist Church

Beams & Brews

Beams and Brews visits Common House

5:30pm – 7:00pm

The Common House

Historic House Specialist

9:00am – 3:30pm

Preservation Resource Center

I’m a preservationist: an interview with Anne Teague Landis

By Preservation Resource Center • April 18, 2024

Controversial bill threatens short-term rental regulations in New Orleans

By MaryNell Nolan-Wheatley • April 5, 2024

St. Alphonsus nominated for landmark status

Advocacy update: hb 625 and hb 591.

By MaryNell Nolan-Wheatley • April 3, 2024

Help for Homeowners

Uncover the history of your New Orleans home and piece together fascinating narratives that have shaped the unique character of our city.

New Orleans homes are history you can live in. Find the fixer-upper of your dreams and explore properties for sale.

Maintain Your Historic Home

Learn how to spot potential problems and find ways to address them with instructional videos, online programs and printable guides.

Preservation Easements

See PRC’s easement portfolio and learn about the powerful preservation tool that protects historic buildings in perpetuity.

Explore New Orleans

Walking Tours

Enjoy a walking tour with an expert guide or tour of one of the many National Historic Districts in New Orleans with our free digital maps.

Explore the history of one of the first suburban-style subdivisions developed for African Americans in the segregated South. PRC helped to nominate the neighborhood to the National Register of Historic Places.

Jazz Houses

See the sites where music was born. Learn about New Orleans’ pioneering jazz artists from PRC’s jazz plaque program, which installed more than 50 historic markers on sites of jazz significance throughout the city.

See how PRC protects the places and people that make New Orleans special.

Get Involved

PRC relies on the support of our members, donors and volunteers. Passionate about New Orleans’ architectural and cultural heritage? Get involved today!

Follow us for updates on news, events and classes

Browse our collection of apparel, home decor, books and more. Your purchase supports the work of the PRC.

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Travel webinar: megastructures with historian alexandra richie.

Join The National WWII Museum's Educational Travel Team and Historian Alexandra Richie to learn about the Megastructures: Forced Labor and Massive Works in the Third Reich tour.

Join historian and author Alexandra Richie, DPhil, for an overview of The National WWII Museum's Megastructures: Forced Labor and Massive Works in the Third Reich tour. Richie and Senior Director of Educational Travel Sarah Kirksey will provide commentary on the tour itinerary, the significance of the places visited, and what it’s like to explore rarely accessed World War II locations in Germany and Poland more than 80 years after the war.

To join this webinar, click here and enter passcode 566646.

Learn more about the Megastructures tour here .

For tour questions or for more information, the Educational Travel Team is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT. Call 1-877-813-3329 x 257 or email [email protected] .

Expand the walls of your classroom and make cross-curricular connections with the Museum’s FREE webinar series.

Explore Further

Why Did "Kristallnacht" Happen? Teaching the History of European Antisemitism

Learn about  Kristallnacht  or the “Night of Broken Glass” and how the history of European antisemitism helped lead to this event.

"Taking Flight: The Nadine Ramsey Story"

Join us for a webinar concluding our Women’s History Month programming discussing a pioneer in American aviation.

A Place of Our Own: Mexican American Veterans in the Post-War Southwest

World War II was a watershed moment for Mexican Americans and their quest for equality—during the war, Mexican Americans served in the military and worked on the Home Front to support their country, and therefore, when it ended, were no longer willing to accept second-class citizenship.

Lunchbox Lecture: Remembering Pearl Harbor: Native Hawaiian History and a "Day That Will Live in Infamy"

This lecture rethinks the attack on Pearl Harbor from the perspective of Native Hawaiian history.

World War II Unknowns: A Roundtable Discussion Commemorating the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

2021 marks the centennial of the creation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Experiment"--A Conversation with Ronald Grigor Suny, PhD and Jason Dawsey, PhD

One of the world’s leading scholars on Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union joins Institute Historian to discuss this critical figure in 20th century history.

From Soldiers to Civilians: Reflections on How the VA Assisted Veterans Returning Home After World War II

Join The National WWII Museum and historians with the Veterans Benefits and Health Administrations as we reflect on and discuss the impact of these institutions on soldiers returning to civilian life after World War II.