Modern History: Documenting Katrina

Volume XXVI, Number 3 Summer 2009 Modern History: Documenting Katrina

The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 1 Modern History: The Collection Continues to Document Katrina

Department of Corrections Tactical Team gathers in prayer before entering Orleans Parish Prison to evacuate prisoners after Hurricane Katrina, photograph courtesy of Louisiana Department of Corrections

or the past four years, of tactical units, bus drivers, medical staff, interior walls and were loose within the The Historic New probation and parole officers, and DOC prison. Fights, fires, and rioting ensued. Orleans Collection administrators from facilities in Kinder, OPCSO staff in that building retreated to has been engaged Cottonport, Jackson, Angola, Dequincy, a safe area and awaited help from DOC. in an extensive oral Pineville, Keithville, Angie, and St. In other buildings, prisoners stood in history initiative to Gabriel, as well as the Department of chest-deep water, while OPCSO staff did Fdocument Hurricane Katrina and its Corrections headquarters in Baton Rouge. what they could in such a desperate situ- immediate aftermath in Louisiana. To The storm experiences of these individu- ation. Later it was discovered that a num- date, nearly 600 first responders have als, as reported here, make an invaluable ber of inmates had escaped during the been interviewed. When fully transcribed contribution to the historical record being initial chaos before DOC arrived, but in and cataloged, these narratives lay the compiled by The Collection. the weeks and months that followed, each foundation for Katrina scholarship. Each Immediately following the storm, was apprehended. summer, the Quarterly has featured the DOC personnel from correctional facili- With the water still rising, the first experiences of one of the numerous local, ties around the state were dispatched priority for DOC was to move prisoners state, and federal agencies that have par- to New Orleans. The Orleans Parish to dry ground. Inmates with their hands ticipated in the project. In 2009 the Criminal Sheriff’s Office (OPCSO) had bound were transported by boat to a high- Louisiana Department of Corrections decided not to evacuate the parish pris- way overpass where they waited under the (DOC) granted The Collection access to ons before the storm. So, when the levees supervision of correctional and probation state corrections facilities. Pam Laborde, broke, more than 6,000 inmates housed and parole officers. For the most part, Michael Wynne, and Maurice Rabalais in a complex of prison buildings in down- the prisoners were relieved to be out of of DOC were instrumental in facilitating town New Orleans needed immediate the floodwater, but the sheer number of the agency’s participation in the project. evacuation. The buildings had lost power inmates on the overpass caused problems. Throughout the winter and spring, inter- when the floodwaters rose, leaving the inte- Fights broke out, and on several occasions views were conducted with more than 100 riors black as night and oppressively hot. officers used chemical agents and guard offenders, correctional officers, members In one building, prisoners broke through dogs to maintain control.

2 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 Above and on cover: Inmates waiting for buses, photograph courtesy of Louisiana Department of Corrections Once the evacuation process was personnel and threw things at them. One under way, attention shifted to regaining officer recalled having to talk a man down control of the building that had been taken at gunpoint after the man charged him over by prisoners. Tactical teams (DOC with a hatchet. Non-lethal force had to be personnel trained to quell inmate distur- used on a few occasions to disperse civil- bances) entered the building. Non-lethal ians who disrupted the evacuation process. force, such as the use of beanbag guns, was Many DOC personnel chose to rescue the employed as the teams cleared the building most fragile civilians by bringing them floor by floor. The tactical teams regained along when they returned to Baton Rouge control of the building and subdued the in their state cars. One officer spoke of inmates without serious injury to anyone. picking up a paraplegic man sitting in a But interviewees reported that the impact bucket of his own urine and taking him of the beanbag and the sound of its fire to the field hospital at Louisiana State resembled that of a real gun and that many University. Another interviewee broke of the inmates may have initially thought down in tears when she recalled a mother that real ammunition was being used. pleading with her to take her child out of The interviews with DOC person- New Orleans. nel were often emotional. Many expressed The daunting task of evacuating the frustration that they could not do more to prisons was just the first of the depart- Inmates being transported help civilians who had sought high ground ment’s response efforts, the full story of out of New Orleans on buses, on the overpass where DOC was staging which cannot be recounted in this short photograph courtesy of Louisiana the inmate evacuation. Many civilians article. Some personnel remained in New Department of Corrections resented that they remained stranded while Orleans for months after the storm. They inmates from the parish prisons were being established and operated a temporary jail rescued. Some verbally assaulted DOC at the Greyhound/Amtrak station and

The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 3 of Katrina as an opportunity to sever ties with incarcerated relatives. Prison social workers spoke of the emotional impact that this had on inmates. The most poignant memories revealed in THNOC interviews with DOC personnel relate to the discovery of deceased storm victims. Interviewees teared up when they described seeing the body of a man whom civilians said had been mur- dered and thrown off the overpass. Others spoke of finding the body of another man who had been shot in the head in a nearby neighborhood. These images haunt not only the original witnesses but also those of us who share in the memories through oral history interviews. Remembering Katrina is often difficult, but it is only by Above and below: Inmates waiting to be evacuated, photographs courtesy of Louisiana Department of remembering that we acknowledge the Corrections significance of every human life. We are provided additional security for local agen- alongside individuals who had been unlikely to find justice and resolution for cies. Correctional facilities in every corner arrested for public drunkenness the week- all that happened after the storm, but it of the state scrambled to find room for the end prior to Katrina. It took months to is our obligation to learn and remember. approximately 6,000 displaced inmates. verify identities. DOC personnel worked The Historic New Orleans Collection Most of the New Orleans inmate records to locate the families of inmates and continues to do so by documenting the were destroyed, so DOC staff had no way helped reestablish contact. Some families, storm and its aftermath. of identifying prisoners. Murderers arrived however, took the chaos and confusion —Mark Cave

4 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 Mark Your Calendar Fifteenth Annual Williams Research Center Symposium Between Colony and State Louisiana from 1803 to 1812 From the January 2010 Director

his summer The Historic New TOrleans Collection will submit documentary materials in anticipation of becoming accredited by the Ameri- can Association of Museums for the fourth time. AAM’s accreditation is a rigorous program of institutional self- examination that includes a site visit by peer reviewers. The process promotes Have You Considered the standards and best practices attained by the museum profession. a Planned Gift? AAM has provided this program for museums of all types for almost 40 To better serve the community, The Historic New Orleans Collection is pleased years. The Historic New Orleans Col- to offer the following planned giving materials free of charge: lection was first accredited in 1978 and again in 1988 and 2000. Interestingly, • Giving Through Life Insurance the southeastern region has the high- • Giving Through Charitable Remainder Trusts est percentage of accredited museums • Giving Through Your Will in the United States. The Hermann- • Giving Securities Grima/Gallier Historic Houses, New • Giving Real Estate Orleans Museum of Art, Louisiana State • Giving Through Retirement Plans Museum, and The Collection are all due • Giving Through Gift Annuities for accreditation renewal within several months of one another. In fact, several To receive materials or for more information about planned giving, please call the other New Orleans museums and many Development Office at (504) 598-7109. statewide are on the accredited list. They are among the best of the best when it All inquiries are held in the strictest confidence and without obligation. The comes to standards for operation, care Historic New Orleans Collection does not offer legal or tax advice. We encour- of collections, citizenship in the com- age you to consult your legal and financial advisors for structuring a gift plan that munity, and ethical procedure. achieves your giving intentions and meets your particular financial circumstances. We are proud to be in the company of colleagues and fellow institutions who care about the same ideals of stewardship, community service, and education. You, our guests, volunteers, and supporters, are an integral part of that Correction combination. A caption on the back cover of the spring issue misidentified the individual —Priscilla Lawrence pictured with symposium speaker Carl Brasseaux as Claire Bettag. The woman pictured is Alison Peña, anthropologist, Jean Lafitte National Historic Park.

The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 5 Detail of New Orleans Sängerfest letterhead (97-5-L) J. Hanno Deiler, German Orleanian

ne hundred years ago, on July part owner of the German Gazette Pub- 20, 1909, John Hanno Deiler, lishing Company and a regular contributor Othe standard-bearer of culture for to its daily Deutsche Zeitung. Additionally, the German community of New Orleans, he was president of the Deutsche Gesell- died at his country home in Covington, schaft, the German community’s major Louisiana. He was 60 years old and had benevolent organization, a position he come to New Orleans from Bavaria in took in 1895, after having been a member 1872 when he was 23 to take a job as rec- of the organization’s board since 1882 and tor at St. Boniface Catholic School. The its recording secretary since 1886. centennial of his death is an opportunity Deiler identified himself as a histo- to discuss Deiler and highlight his signifi- rian and a belletrist. He published numer- cant contribution to the holdings of The ous books on the history of the German Historic New Orleans Collection. community in Louisiana and studied the Deiler emerged as a leader of his history of German immigration to the community quickly upon arriving in United States. He pursued his scholarly New Orleans and wore many hats dur- activities with an eye towards improv- ing his life in his new city. He first rose to ing the standing of his community. In prominence through music. As a child, 1904, he published Die ersten deutschen Deiler, ca. 1894 (1983.119), gift of Saint Joseph Deiler had sung in the prestigious Boys am unteren Mississippi und die Creolen Abbey Choir of the St. Emmeram Cloister in deutscher Abstammung (published in Eng- Regensburg, and his father had been in America. In 1884, Deiler helped start lish in 1909 as The Settlement of the Ger- music director of King Ludwig’s court in a second Sängerbund-member organiza- man Coast of Louisiana and the Creoles of Bavaria. As a young man in New Orleans, tion, the music and drama club Frohsinn, German Descent), expanding the definition he was made an honorary member of the and in 1890 the efforts of these two organ- of “Creole” (typically, in his time, reserved Deutsche Männergesangverein (German izations culminated in the Sängerbund’s for those of French or Spanish descent) Men’s Singing Society). By the next year, Sängerfest, or national convention, being to include Germans. In 1895, the year he he was president of the organization. The hosted in New Orleans. Later that year, became president of the Deutsche Gesell- German music scene in New Orleans was Deiler traveled as a delegate of the North schaft, the society published his Louisiana, growing rapidly at that time. In 1879, American Sängerbund to the convention ein Heim für deutsche Ansiedler (Louisiana: the Männergesangverein combined with of the German Sängerbund in Vienna. In A Home for German Settlers), a publica- another club, Liederkranz (Wreath of 1896, he traveled again in the same capac- tion designed to lure potential German Song), to form Liedertafel (Song Board), ity, this time to Stuttgart, Germany. He emigrants to Louisiana with success stories a singing society that soon grew to 900 was also elected president of the North of German farmers and businessmen and members. Deiler became its music direc- American Sängerbund that year. enticing descriptions of the state’s German tor, but in 1881 disagreements regarding By the time he became Sängerbund communities. types of performances and the goals of president, Deiler had been in the United Deiler was largely responsible for the club led to his resignation. In 1882 he States less than 25 years and had risen to broadening the focus of the Deutsche formed his own group, the New Orleanser the highest position within the nationwide Gesellschaft from its original purpose, Quartett Club, dedicated to participat- German American music community. immigrant aid, to dual concentrations on ing in the activities of the North Ameri- Remarkably, music was not even Deiler’s immigrant recruitment and community can Sängerbund (German Singers’ Union) chief occupation. Professionally, he taught sustainability. In the context of an ongo- and earning a reputation for New Orleans German at the University of Louisiana ing, nationwide immigration debate and as a center for German musical culture (later Tulane University). He was also a a steadily waning German population in

6 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 New Orleans, Deiler developed a plan (which never came to fruition) to increase German immigration to the South by closing American ports in the Northeast to immigrant traffic. He also worked, although likewise in vain, to establish more regular and permanent shipping communications between New Orleans and Germany. Meanwhile, he helped shift the focus of the society’s efforts in financial benevolence from the assistance of indi- gent immigrants to loan support of local, German-owned businesses. He also grew the archive of the Deutsche Gesellschaft, which included the society’s minutes and reports, 19th-century local German newspapers, city directories, studies of Louisiana environments and populations, encyclopedias, and more. J. Hanno Deiler considered himself a German New Orleanian and devoted his life to local patriotism. He traveled exten- sively throughout the United States pro- moting the existence of a German identity in the South and New Orleans as its center. He also traveled to Europe to promote the idea of the German American. At home, he sought to increase the sense of history and community among Germans by publishing his studies and overseeing musical activities. From his work over the years, Deiler and the organizations that he Top: Quartett Club visiting card from led amassed great amounts of materials— Milwaukee Sängerfest, 1886; Dr. Karl J. R. from his research notes, meeting minutes, Arndt Collection of J. Hanno Deiler Papers and statistics, and reports, to German litera- Deutsche Gesellschaft Records (97-5-L) Bottom: Cover of Louisiana, ein Heim für ture, sheet music, and newspapers. deutsche Ansiedler, 1895 (69-181-LP.1) Much of this material is now pre- served in three important manuscripts collections at The Collection’s Williams Research Center: • The Dr. Karl J. R. Arndt Collection of J. Hanno Deiler Papers and Deutsche • The Deutsches Haus Collection Gesellschaft Records (97-5-L) (2008.0113) Includes important ephemera relating Includes the records of the Deutsche to German musical clubs and German Gesellschaft, the New Orleanser Quartett society records from the time of Deiler’s Club, Frohsinn, and other 19th-century tenure as president and thereafter. German organizations in which Deiler played a leading role. These three unique collections, together with the secondary resources of Top: New Orleanser Quartett Club Music; • The J. Hanno Deiler Papers local German-language newspapers and Deutsches Haus Collection, New Orleans (MSS 395) church records, form a resource of Ger- (2008.0113) Includes Deiler’s research notes on early man Americana that is one of the most Bottom: Cover of Die ersten deutschen am unteren Mississippi, 1904 (69-181-LP.3) Louisiana German families, the history important in existence—a testament to of German publishing, theater, church the German community in New Orleans, life, and politics in New Orleans, and but perhaps more so, to J. Hanno Deiler’s other historical and literary studies tenacity as a community builder. of his. —Daniel Hammer The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 7 The Alsace-Lorraine Jewish Experience in Louisiana and the Gulf South

nhabited by a number of Native American tribes, coveted (and claimed) by a succession of European Ipowers, and finally purchased by the United States, Louisiana boasts a particularly contested history. But in comparison with Alsace- Lorraine—a region in present-day northeastern France—Louisiana appears a model of political stabil- ity. Sovereignty disputes between Germany, France, and their geopoliti- cal antecedents date back to the 17th century, with the most recent annexation of the region, by France, occur- ring in 1945. As scholars will discuss in a forthcoming colloquium at The Collection, conflict in Alsace-Lorraine has enhanced the cultural and religious diversity of Louisiana. The Jewish population of Alsace- Lorraine responded to 19th-century political upheaval with a sense of urgency. Location of Alsace-Lorraine from Gaskell’s Advance colloquium registration A wave of outmigration that began in the New and Complete Family Atlas of the (through October 16) is $35 per person. 1830s crested in the decades following World, 1888 (80-545-RL), gift of Mr. and Registration after October 16 will be $50. Mrs. Richard Plater Germany’s annexation of Alsace-Lorraine Please call (504) 523-4662 to register for at the close of the Franco-Prussian War the colloquium. (1870–71). Tens of thousands of French- Scholars from the fields of sociol- The Hotel St. Marie (827 Toulouse speaking Jews from Alsace-Lorraine immi- ogy, history, historic preservation, anthro- Street) has a limited number of rooms grated to Louisiana and the Gulf South, pology, and art history will explore the available November 12–14 for a special rate joining immigrant groups from Ireland, origins of Alsace-Lorraine’s Jewish popu- of $109 per night. To make a reservation, Germany, Italy, and France in search of new lation, trace their journey from Alsace- please call the hotel at 1-800-366-2743 beginnings. They settled in locales both Lorraine to Louisiana and the Gulf South, and identify yourself as a member of rural and urban, forging new communities and discuss the cultural legacy of a group the “Jewish Experience in Louisiana and melding cultural and religious tradi- whose descendants continue to play an Conference” or book online at www.hotel- tions from Old World and New. active role in our region. Daniel Hammer, stmarie.com with access code “Alsace.” On Friday, November 13, 2009, The reference assistant at The Collection’s This block is reserved until Thursday, Historic New Orleans Collection, with Williams Research Center, will provide October 1, 2009, but we encourage you to support from the Consulate General of an overview of The Collection’s hold- make your reservations as soon as possible. France in New Orleans, will host a one- ings relevant to Jewish history in New —Erin Greenwald day colloquium exploring The Alsace- Orleans. Commentary will be provided by Lorraine Jewish Experience in Louisiana Catherine C. Kahn, archivist at the Touro and the Gulf South. Infirmary Archives.

8 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 C o l l o q u i u m S c h e d u l e Thursday, November 12 11:30 a.m. 6:00–8:00 p.m The Synagogues of Alsace-Lorraine, Louisiana, Colloquium reception for speakers and registrants and the Gulf South 533 Royal Street Barry Stiefel, College of Charleston 12:00 p.m. Friday, November 13 Lunch (on your own) Colloquium Sessions Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street 1:30 p.m. Some Resources for the Study of Jewish History in 9:00 a.m. New Orleans Available at the Williams Research Center Registration Daniel Hammer, The Historic New Orleans Collection 10:00 a.m. 1:50 p.m. Welcome Art, Artifact, and Alsatian-Jewish Identity in the Deep South Priscilla Lawrence, The Historic New Orleans Collection (U.S.A.) Olivier Brochenin, Consul General of France Pamela Dorn Sezgin, Gainesville State College (Georgia) 10:20 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Introduction Contextualizing the Alsace-Lorraine Jewish Experience in Leaving Alsace-Lorraine and Blending into Louisiana: the Gulf South: Jewish Migration Patterns in 19th-Century The Issue of Belonging and Loyalty to Host and Home France and America Countries Lee Shai Weissbach, University of Louisville Anny Bloch-Raymond Centre d’Anthropologie sociale, Université Toulouse Le Mirail 3:15 p.m. Commentary 10:40 a.m. Catherine C. Kahn, Touro Infirmary Archives Jews in the New Orleans Landscape before 1850 Patricia Behre, Fairfield University 4:00 p.m. Discussion Period and Closing Remarks Moderated by Jessica Dorman The Historic New Orleans Collection

The Louisiana Biography and Obituary Index Now Online he Historic New Orleans Collec- Public Library. The index inherited by Ttion and the New Orleans Public NOPL was far from comprehensive. It Library are proud to announce that the focused almost exclusively on promi- entire Louisiana Biography and Obituary nent citizens and rarely included feature Index, a compilation of approximately stories or other biographical references. 600,000 citations dating back to 1804, When NOPL accepted stewardship of is now available as an online database. the Obit Index, it embarked on a mission The electronic index is the culmination to broaden and improve the resource. Girod Street Cemetery, photograph by Guy F. of an eight-year endeavor undertaken by The Collection joined in the effort by Bernard, 1945 (1974.25.6.46) The Collection and NOPL at the behest supplying the staff, computers, and tech- To be sure, the index remains a work of the late Suzanne Levy Ormand, for- nological expertise needed to facilitate the in progress. Occasional gaps exist where mer chair of the library board, and Mary digitization of this invaluable resource. data from a specific run of a newspaper Lou Christovich, chairman of the board Now researchers can easily search the was never entered. Yet the index remains of directors of the Kemper and Leila thousands of entries, each comprising the remarkably comprehensive. It is safe to Williams Foundation. name of a deceased individual along with say that no other resource provides more The Obit Index originated in the publication information—title, date, page convenient access to information about 1930s as a project of the Works Prog- number, and column number—for death the residents of New Orleans over the last ress Administration’s Historical Records notices published in New Orleans news- two centuries—from the famous to the Survey. After the WPA ceased operation, papers, which are available on microfilm infamous to the anonymous. To access the the City Archives Department assumed at both The Collection and NOPL. The Louisiana Biography and Obituary Index, responsibility for maintenance of the electronic database also includes biograph- and to view a list of the newspapers and index. In 1946 the department was trans- ical sketches and narrative obituaries in other publications referenced, visit http:// ferred by ordinance to the New Orleans many cases. www.nutrias.org/~nopl/obits/obits.htm. The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 9 Alfred Waud Sketchbooks:

ritish-born Alfred Waud (1828– 1891) is best known for his work Bas a Civil War “special artist” and for his illustrations of the American fron- tier. These aspects of his career have been well documented—his work has been featured in publications such as Frederic E. Ray’s Alfred R. Waud: Civil War Artist and displayed by The Historic New Orleans Collection in a 1979 exhibition, Alfred R. Waud: Special Artist on Assignment. Less well documented is Waud’s early career, but a set of small sketchbooks owned by THNOC may shed more light on Waud’s art education in London and his first few years in America. Waud developed his artistic talent as a student at the Government School of Design at the Somerset House in London. The first of the set of three sketchbooks dates from his student years and bears an inscription inside the front cover: “Alfred R. Waud / London, 1847.” The unlined pages of the book, measuring roughly 4x6 1/2", are filled with sketches of landscapes, people, and boats. One full- length portrait of a young girl is labeled The Dean’s Daughter, a possible reference to a Somerset House administrator. There are several intriguing inclusions: a recipe for invisible ink, as well as a series of brightly watercolored flags of various nations, including the United States. Two pages are dedicated to a transcription of four verses of “The Star Spangled Banner,” interesting in light of Waud’s decision to immigrate to America because of, in his words, “a sentimental liking for republican institutions.” Twenty-two-year-old Waud arrived in New York in 1850. A second sketchbook is inscribed “Alfred Rudolph [Waud] / 290 Broadway / New York, 1853.” The Broadway address is one of several Waud used as a base for Bella mia, Alfred Waud sketchbook #1, 1847–50 (1977.137.40.1)

10 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 The Artist as a Young Man

his artistic endeavors during his time in “Alf Waud 22 Winter St. / Boston,” New York. Originally intending to take up an address at the heart of the city near scene painting, Waud arrived in America Boston Common. The drawings reveal with a letter of introduction to the Irish Waud’s love of the sea and his training as actor and playwright John Brougham, but a marine artist, with many views of the with Brougham’s theater still under con- New England seashore. In Boston, Waud struction, Waud pursued other opportu- learned to transfer his drawings to wood nities. The New York sketchbook contains engraving blocks and began his career as drawings of Waud’s typical subjects: peo- an illustrator with Harper’s Weekly. In the ple, animals, boats, trains, and landscapes. mid- to late 1850s, Waud continued to It also bears evidence of a trip to central hone his skills in Boston and New York as New York: drawings of Catskills land- an illustrator for Harper’s Weekly and the Woman with parasol, Alfred Waud sketchbook #2, marks such as the then-new Laurel House New York Illustrated News. 1850–60 (1977.137.40.2) hotel atop Kaaterskill Falls. There is also The Alfred R. Waud Collection indication that during his travels Waud is available to the public at the Williams may have occasionally encountered peril, Research Center. Due to the fragile state with two sets of instructions for treating of the originals, the three Waud sketch- the bite of a mad dog. books discussed in this article are available The third sketchbook is from Waud’s for research use in digital format. time in Boston. The inside cover reads —Rebecca A. Smith

Flag sketches, Alfred Waud sketchbook #1, 1847–50 (1977.137.40.1)

The Dean’s Daughter, Alfred Waud sketchbook #1, 1847–50 (1977.137.40.1)

The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 11 Donors: January−March 2009 Amzie Adams Mrs. John F. Clark III Mr. and Mrs. Longer L. de la Gueronniere Pamela Meldrum Annelies and Morris Sheehan Dr. Douglas L. Adams Stephen Clayton Mrs. John W. Hall Margit E. Merey-Kadar Sibley Kopmeier Appraisal Associates Gail W. Adams Janice Kincaid Clifford and Michael Dr. Virginia Van der Veer Hamilton Jacquelyn L. Milan Leslie M. Smallwood Frederick Adinolfi Thomas Clifford William C. Hanemann Mr. and Mrs. David C. Miner Mr. and Mrs. Raymond I. Smith Lois Anderson Charlene Coco and Ragan Kimbrell Deborah D. Harkins Marilyn Mislove Margaret B. Soniat Lucinda R. and Robert E. Anderson and Pam and Michael Cohn James E. Harrell Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Moore III Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Soniat Family College of DuPage—The Library Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hassinger Mrs. Guillermo Moscoso E. Alexandra Stafford and Raymond Rathlé Jr. Jane and Charles Aprill Consulat General de France Haynie Family Foundation Edith H. Mossy Shirley V. Stakelum Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Armstrong Lynn Cooper Dr. Ronald J. Hebert Karen and John Murphy State of Louisiana, Office of the State Library Become a Member of Kenneth A. Arvin Jr. Linzy and Paul Cotaya Alexis and Stephen Hellman Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Murrhee of Louisiana AT&T Courtney-Anne Sarpy Fund Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Henderson Dr. M. Bert Myers and Mrs. Joel G. Lynne R. Stern Laura Aune Courtney Churchill Crane Jane R. Hobson Myers in honor of John Lawrence Whitney Allyson Steve and Jaime C. Steve The Historic New Orleans Collection Madeline H. Axtman Mary Cullen Vic G. Hobson Katherine B. Nachod Irma Marie Stiegler The Azby Fund Wayne Curtis Louise C. Hoffman Steven C. Nelson Fern Stine When you become a member of The Historic New Orleans Collection, you will join a Ann Babington in honor of Jessica Janet and Bob Dales Mrs. Trudeau J. Hogue Jr. Mary G. Nevinger Mary Cade Stockmeyer community dedicated to understanding, sharing, and preserving the history and culture Dorman Mr. and Mrs. William J. Daly April Lacoste Holthaus New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Mr. and Mrs. George A. Stoddart of our unique region. Mr. and Mrs. James A. Babst Jennifer R. Daniel Karl Holzmuller and Foundation Inc. Margot Stouse Karan Bailey Dr. and Mrs. Walter H. Daniels Mr. and Mrs. Stanhope F. Hopkins New Orleans Woman’s Club Dr. Henry Sullivan and Gillian Richardson Your generous support funds internationally renowned exhibitions, research, educational Michelle Mckee Baker Lorna and Carl Danielsen Susan K. Hoskins Thomas C. Nicholls III Dr. Robert Tarpy outreach, and award-winning publications. Reserve your place in Louisiana’s future by helping to Baptist Community Ministries Patricia and Bruce Davis Elizabeth H. Howard Cindy and Michael Nolan Mrs. James Lyle Taylor preserve its past. Ann W. Barnes Shannon Lee Dawdy Dianne Huber Rick Normand Watson Tebo Kathy Barnett Michel Delhaise Andreas Huebner Karin W. Oakes Ellen B. Terrell In addition to preserving Louisiana’s past for future generations, you will receive Roberta P. Bartee Patricia Denechaud, Honorary Consul of Preston Huey John T. O’Connor Carolyn G. Thalheim several benefits as a member of The Historic New Orleans Collection. All members will Maurice Basque Canada in New Orleans Institute of Museum and Library Services Elizabeth Ogden Mr. and Mrs. Nauman Scott Thomas receive the following: John L. Bassi Jr. Madge and John Dicks, bookplate in Dr. Kelly and Mr. Michael Irvine Daniel J. Orth Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. Thomson Complementary admission to The Collection’s permanent tours, including the Cheryl Baxter and Richard E. Starr honor of Linda and John Jenkins and Aaron C. Jackson Cedric Palmisano Carol D. and James W. Thornton • Joyce Benjamin and Russell Donnelly daughters Avery and Winston Dr. Madeleine S. de Jean Albert A. Palumbo and Mark Lescale Louis Timonet Louisiana History Galleries, Williams Residence, and Courtyards and Architecture tours Adelaide and Ed Benjamin Jr. Christina DiMaggio and Benjamin Mrs. Douglas Johnson Peter W. Patout Fred W. Todd • Invitations to members-only events and exhibition previews Patricia Benoit Clement Margaret Jones Patrick F. Taylor Foundation J. Thomas Touchton • 10 percent discount on all items in The Shop at The Collection Mr. and Mrs. Walter Watson van Dr. Halla Diyab George E. Jordan Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Patrick Donna Traina Benthuysen Jr. Dr. Testud Dominique Lesley and Kevin Kane Caroline Ashlyn Van Pelt Jessica Travis in memory of • Subscription to The Collection’s donor newsletter Benay Bernstein Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Doolittle Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Killeen The Rev. Gregory Pembo Jan White Brantley • Subscription to The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly Rhonda and Tim Betbeze Dr. Ralph Draughon Jr. Dr. J. M. Kinberger Art Perry Gretchen and Charles Tremoulet • Admission to the Concerts in the Courtyard series Dr. Martha Beveridge George Dubaz Molly Knapp Dr. and Mrs. Meade H. Phelps Drew Treuting Winnie L. Biggio Carolyn Duplantis Mr. and Mrs. Ken Kneipp Mrs. Ben J. Phillips Patricia D. Tunmer Dr. and Mrs. Warren M. Billings Dr. and Mrs. Valentine Earhart Claude Kohler Clyde A. Pine John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer Choose your level of membership Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bissell Jennifer Edwards Marilyn R. Kopan Glen Pitre Lillian and John Uhl Membership at all levels carries benefits for the entire household: a single individual or a couple, E. Foster Blair II Pauline and Robert Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Krieger Helen and Andy Polmer Dr. Alfonso Vargas along with any children under age 18. C. J. Blanda Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Elmwood Dr. Jon Kukla Anne P. Potts Joseph Bayer Vella Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bonner Jr. Audrey R. Enzor Rosemary Lamousin Donald E. Pusch Merlin M. Villar Jr. Joan Bostick Marjorie Esman and Jonathan Wallick in Goldie T. Lanaux Donna and Robert Rachal Mr. and Mrs. St. Denis J. Villere Founder $35 Laussat Society $1,000 Odessa Bourne memory of Jan White Brantley Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Lanaux William J. Rappold Mr. and Mrs. John E. Walker Full membership package Full membership privileges; a special gift; Jan C. Bradford in memory of Jan White Mr. and Mrs. Jack V. Eumont Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Langguth Anne E. Raymond Mr. and Mrs. R. Bruce Wallis Brantley Gervais F. Favrot Jr. Noreen B. Lapeyre in memory of Jan L. Rector Toni and Joel Waltzer private, guided tours of The Collection Mrs. Philip Breitmeyer II Sheila B. Fernandez Jan White Brantley Eileen Reed Drs. Nell P. and William W. Waring Merieult Society $100 (advanced scheduling required); free Joshua Broussard Natalie Fielding Mr. and Mr. W. Elliott Laudeman III Dr. and Mrs. Richard J. Reed Earl Weber Full membership privileges; a special gift admission to all evening lectures; invita- Theresa and Paul Broussard Murray C. Fincher Charles E. Lebeuf Jill Rehn Mr. and Mrs. Hugo C. Wedemeyer exclusive to the Merieult Society; recogni- tions to special receptions and tours; invi- Andrea S. Brown Firemen’s Charitable & Benevolent Lorraine LeBlanc Dr. Richard L. Reinhardt Nancy and Chris Wells Florence Brown Association Mr. and Mrs. V. Price LeBlanc Jr. Dr. and Mrs. James L. Reynolds J. Parham Werlein tion on donor wall tation to annual gala evening; recognition Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Browne Elizabeth Nicholson Fischer Michelle and Jason Leckert Deborah L. Rhodes Elfriede Westbrook on Laussat Society donor wall Stephen B. Browne Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Fischer Jr. Julie and Josh LeFebvre Jack Ricks John F. Wettermark Mahalia Society $250 Dr. and Mrs. Robert N. Bruce Jr. Pamela M. Fischer Dr. Alfred E. Lemmon Marcia and Doug Roome Hans-Peter Wiendahl Mike Bunn Edwin Fleischmann John L. Lilly Dr. and Mrs. Irving L. Rosen Marylyn Geiser Wiginton Full membership privileges; a special gift Bienville Circle $5,000 Virginia F. Burke Luke Fontana Carol and Eddie Lirette Mr. and Mrs. John Charles Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Marquis C. Wiginton Jr. exclusive to the Mahalia Society; private, Full membership privileges; membership in Robert A. Burkhalter Mr. and Mrs. Harvey J. Ford Sr. Carolyn M. Long Eva Augustin Rumpf Elizabeth Williams guided tours of The Collection (advanced the Laussat Society; a special gift; private, Harold H. Burns Dr. and Mrs. Edward F. Foulks Jacquelyn S. Lothschuetz Suzanne and Gregory Rusovich Patrick Williams Anne Burr Founders Chapter-Louisiana Colonials Inc. Margie L. Luke Dr. Calvin Drew Sanders Trudy Williamson scheduling required); recognition on donor guided tours of The Collection; free admis- Judith Fos Burrus G. John Frelinger John T. Magill Dr. Sissy Sartor Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Wilson wall sion to all conferences; invitations to special Mary Louise Butkiewicz Linda and Richard Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Gary Mannina Frederic S. Sater Edie and John Wilson member receptions and tours; invitation Diane A. Butler Mr. and Mrs. Fabian K. Fromherz Dr. and Mrs. David V. Maraist Herbert L. Sayas Jr. Lindsay Faith Wilson and Rachel Mahler Jackson Society $500 to annual gala evening; invitation to a pri- V. Michael Calandro Richard Fumosa Gail B. Le Marie The Sazerac Company Jack and Lorraine Wise Mr. and Mrs. John C. Calhoun Gary D. Gardner Sally and Robb Marks Dianne and Steve Schmidt James H. Wolfe Full membership privileges; a special gift vate luncheon with the executive director; Gerry Call Anne Gauthier Mr. and Mrs. George del Marmol Debbie and Mark Schofield Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Wolfe exclusive to the Jackson Society; private, recognition on Bienville Circle donor wall Canadian Consulate General John Geiser III Mary Bess Matthews The School of Design Warren J. Woods guided tours of The Collection (advanced Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Carr Carol Gelderman E. Stewart Maunsell II, gift of the family Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Schrenk Jeffrey Ziegler Georgia D. Chadwick Donald Glynn of Corinne McCloskey Maunsell Douglas Schroeder scheduling required); recognition on Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Charters Mr. and Mrs. J. Malcolm Gonzales Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. May Julie Schwartz and David Radlauer donor wall Brian P. Cheramie Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Gorman Judy and James McAlister Monica and William Schwartz in Mr. and Mrs. William K. Christovich Jacqueline Graff Gigi McCarter memory of Patricia Gail Cox For more information, please visit www.hnoc.org, or call the Development Office at Alexander Clark Donald D. Gray Dorothy McKinnon Michael Semmes Kathryn A. Clark and Daniel J. Rich Mr. and Mrs. Edward O. Gros Jr. Albert R. McMeen Paul Semmes (504) 598-7173. All inquiries are confidential and without obligation.

12 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 13 Donor Profile: Abbye and Abbye and Steve Gorin Steve Gorin

n a visit to Austin in 1945, Plastic Engineered Products city looked the Steve Gorin, a young Army Incorporated. After 21 success- way it looked.” OAir Corps officer, met ful years, the Gorins sold their So, they set off for Abbye Alexander, an undergraduate at the business and went back to school— Chan Chan. Upon University of Texas. Five days later, they together. They both earned master’s arrival, they found that decided to marry. Now husband and wife for degrees in urban studies from the Uni- the University of Trujillo, including its 63 years, they’ve raised a family and both versity of New Orleans. They went on to library, was on strike. Despite this disrup- had successful careers: Abbye is an accom- spend three years at Virginia Tech, both tion to their research plans, the Gorins plished architectural photographer and earning PhDs in environmental design completed their studies, and Abbye cap- researcher-writer, and Steve is an engineer and planning, a program that covers archi- tured outstanding images of Chan Chan, and businessman. Together they ran a busi- tecture, urban planning, and landscape which are now among her photographs ness and have traveled around the world architecture, among other things. Abbye housed at The Collection. Though not for work and research. Abbye’s photos focused on architectural history, and Steve directly related to New Orleans or Louisi- chronicle many of the people, cities, and studied environmental issues. “We were ana, the photographs and other work the landscapes they’ve studied, particularly in both able to develop our interests under Gorins produced in Peru have informed Latin America. The Historic New Orleans the same degree,” Steve said. Steve is cur- their perceptions of New Orleans and Collection is fortunate to be the repository rently director of project development for consequently relate to other aspects of the for Abbye’s principal archive of work. the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. archive. Since 2004, the Gorins have been Abbye spent years studying New A self-taught photographer, Abbye donating photographs, negatives, slides, Orleans architect and historian Sam Wil- took up the art form as part of her videos, writings, and graphic designs to son, about whom she produced a bio- research. In developing her approach to The Collection. The Gorin archive now graphical video and wrote her doctoral photography, she was inspired by Peru- comprises more than 2,500 items, includ- dissertation. “He had so much vision vian photographer Abraham Guillén. ing many related to Louisiana: tapes of when it came to historic preservation. He According to Abbye, “He was essentially interviews with artist Angela Gregory and got people moving in the right direction, the official government photographer of with renowned architect Samuel Wilson started walking tours through the city. Peru for 50 years, and I was able to trace Jr. and images of New Orleans cemeteries, Wilson was both a mentor and a subject archaeological history through his pho- the Pitot House, the Rivergate, and other of study for me,” she said. tographs.” Likewise, researchers are able local buildings. Additionally, the archive Through her photographs, videos, to trace the history of Louisiana and the documents the architecture and culture and writings, Abbye documented impor- countries where Abbye and Steve traveled of Central and South America, Mexico, tant New Orleans history—co-producing through the photographs now available at Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. a video on the now-demolished Rivergate The Collection. Abbye trusts her work is in good hands convention center and writing a biogra- For Abbye, photography is a way of at The Collection. “Whether it’s the collec- phy of Nathaniel “Buster” Curtis, lead searching for a world view. She recalls tion of unique historic buildings making designer of the Rivergate and the Loui- a trip to China in which she “wanted to up the museum/research complex or the siana Superdome, among other projects. find out what a real Chinese face looked thousands of photographs, books, maps, Most of her photos from Latin America like. But [she] found that there is no one and related materials housed there, safety are housed in Tulane University’s Latin real Chinese face. There’s no one anything. is an important factor in the formula for American Library image archive, which Looking for a world view, there’s no end operating a high quality organization. The she and Steve co-founded in 1976. to it.” Collection has made large investments in Although their fields of study are dif- The Gorins have entrusted The His- disaster management. When I turned over ferent, the Gorins’ academic work often toric New Orleans Collection with their my lifetime achievements to THNOC, I overlapped. Steve’s dissertation, titled archive of work because they believe in was comfortable that my work was in a “Control the Effects of Wind, Sand, THNOC’s vision for the future of New safe-as-can-be place.” and Dust on the Citadel Walls in Chan Orleans and have faith in the institu- In the first few years of their mar- Chan, Peru,” examined the largest pre- tion’s mission to study and preserve the riage, Steve’s job as an engineer took the Columbian city in South America which city’s history. “Steve and I have had a long couple to several cities, including New was, according to Steve, the city “where and lucky run. We credit our good luck Orleans in 1960. By then, they had two urbanism began.” Abbye was interested to always putting something back in soci- daughters and wanted to stay put, so they in studying pre-Columbian adobe archi- ety… I was honored that The Collection launched their own company in the city: tecture, the iconography, and “why the wanted my lifetime achievements.”

14 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 Intern Update: Melissa Smith LOW REZ ot many people can pinpoint the In 2008 Smith became the lead archi- exact moment when they knew vist for the Tulane University Recovery Nwhat they wanted to do for Project. The sprawling basement of the rest of their lives. Melissa Smith can, Tulane’s Howard-Tilton Memorial Library and her “aha!” career moment happened was flooded after Katrina with about eight during an internship at The Historic feet of water, and Jones Hall, which houses New Orleans Collection. the library’s Special Collections, got four “I was a college senior and I was pro- feet. Tulane hired an international disas- cessing the Mary Farrar Wilkinson papers ter management company, Belfor, to [at The Collection],” she said. A let- remove the water, remediate the mold, ter from General James Wilkinson really and clean up the salvageable records and struck a chord with Smith. To her, history books. LAC took over with the next step comes alive through original artifacts. in library recovery—creating an inven- “I just remember being stunned, hold- tory. About 190,000 items, including the ing this letter—it was fascinating. That library’s music collection, government moment, I said to myself: This is what I documents, newspapers, and microforms want to do.” had been physically restored and needed In the 1993–94 school year, Smith, to be integrated back into Tulane’s collec- “I thank THNOC for giving me my start,” an intern from the Loyola University his- tion. Already familiar with these materi- she said. “Other repositories and institu- tory department, assisted archivists in pro- als from her previous job at Tulane, Smith tions have helped me along, but really my cessing manuscript collections. Today, she was the ideal choice to lead the archival start came at The Collection.” plays a significant role in the archival field side of this important project. and in the New Orleans recovery scene: In addition to her primary job, Smith Since the early 1980s, The Historic she is the lead archivist for the Tulane is a freelance writer and an avid Saints fan. New Orleans Collection has hosted interns University Recovery Project, a venture of Her book, Historic Photos of New Orleans, from a variety of institutions. The interns, Library Associates Companies (LAC) to was published in 2007. Combining who serve without pay, receive a thorough reintegrate restored materials, damaged in her writing skills with her football introduction to a museum/research facil- Hurricane Katrina, into Tulane's general passion, Smith blogs regularly for ity. In addition, they are assigned projects collection. chicksinthehuddle.com, a tongue-in-cheek that match their skills and interests with the But Smith’s career path has not been Web site designed for female Saints fans. It needs of The Collection. Please e-mail all limited to the archival world; a vari- was started by a New Orleanian but has inquiries to [email protected], with subject line: ety of experiences have led her to her expanded to eight other NFL cities and Internship Opportunities. current position. continues to grow. She writes under the The Historic New Orleans Collection After completing her THNOC intern- name “Mother Hen,” posting everything thanks the interns from the past year— ship and graduating from Loyola, Smith from game-day recipes to interviews from Sarah Clausen, Danielle Choate (Episcopal moved to Germany for six months and the Saints Hall of Fame Golf Tournament. High School, Baton Rouge); Emily Klyza worked as a translator. After that job, she One read-through of a Mother Hen blog (Georgetown University); Charlotte Young completed the MA in history program at entry and it is clear—this woman loves (Louise S. McGehee School); Elena DiGrado the University of New Orleans, where she the Saints, knows what she’s talking about, (Middle Tennessee State University); Cath- worked with historians Stephen Ambrose and is funny. erine Cain (Ryerson University); Lindsey and Douglas Brinkley. She also entered Smith said that all of her activities Cantwell, Kristin Condotta, Daniel Ehlers, the nonprofit field for seven years, serv- tie together—her archiving skills help her Mary Katherine Benrud, Jessica Gauthier, ing as an event manager for the American organize her many projects, and her work Mary Frances Craig (Tulane University); Cancer Society and a grassroots organizer in the nonprofit field has helped her better Emily Stern Schlesinger (University of Penn- for Planned Parenthood of Louisiana. In understand the types of organizations she sylvania); Letitia R. Hopkins (Xavier 2004 Smith returned to the archival field, now studies. She feels lucky to have met University). taking the skills learned at The Collection the people she has throughout her career —Rachel Gibbons to her position in the manuscripts depart- and to have been provided with opportu- ment of Special Collections at Tulane nities that she’s passionate about, and she University, where she worked until late considers The Collection to have played 2007. an integral role in her development.

The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 15 can almost be considered a portrait of acquisitions an individual bird. Carver William C. Hanemann has donated a green-winged The Historic New teal drake fashioned from cypress root, a Orleans Collection traditional material for this region’s carv- encourages research in the ers. The bird is depicted in the preening Williams Research Center position, its head and neck turned back at 410 Chartres Street from across its body. Included in the gift are the 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. tools Hanemann used, including his carv- Tuesday through Saturday ing knife, patterns, and paint brushes. (except holidays). Cataloged materials (2009.0025.1-.5) available to researchers include books, —John H. Lawrence manuscripts, paintings, prints, draw- Etched portrait of architectural preservationist ings, maps, photographs, and artifacts Martha Gilmore Robinson by Charles W. Richards Manuscripts about the history and culture of New Delhaise, the sitter herself, dissatisfied Orleans, Louisiana, and the Gulf South. with the artist’s original effort, used Rich- For the first quarter of 2009 (January− Each year The Collection adds thou- ards’s etching needle to provide the proper March), there were 35 acquisitions totaling sands of items to its holdings. Though contour of her nose. (2009.0023) 8 linear feet of material. only selected gifts are mentioned here, Elizabeth Williams and Rick Nor- The Historic New Orleans Collection the importance of all gifts cannot be mand have donated four portraits of men recently acquired a maritime journal in overstated. Prospective donors are associated with the Choctaw Club, a New which Captain Joseph Willcutt invited to contact the authors of the Orleans organization active in Democratic (1798−1841), a native of Cohasset, Mas- acquisitions columns. party politics from the late 19th century sachusetts, recounts information about through the 1930s. Two of the portraits his ships and conditions encountered on are by painter John Clay Parker. voyages between October 1835 and May Curatorial (2009.0085.1-.4) 1839. He completed 84 transatlantic jour- For the first quarter of 2009 (January– Edward Douglass White (1845– neys on 12 different vessels. March), there were 30 accessions, totaling 1921) of Thibodaux, Louisiana, was At New Orleans in October 1835, Wil- 700 items. appointed associate justice of the United cutt took command of the ship Asia which, Philanthropist Martha Gilmore States Supreme Court in 1894 by Presi- laden with cotton bales, departed New Robinson (1888−1981) graduated from dent Grover Cleveland. White had been Orleans for Liverpool on February 5, 1836. Newcomb College in 1909 and in 1915 serving as a senator from Louisiana since Following a successful but stormy trip, the became the director of the Child Welfare March of 1891. In 1910, White was named Asia neared Liverpool on March 21 only to Association. From the 1930s to 1950s, her chief justice of the Court, remaining in that be struck and damaged by the ship Adelaide. activism was directed toward “good gov- position until his death in 1921. John F. The repaired Asia departed Liverpool on ernment” issues while she worked for the Wettermark recently donated a large pho- April 10, arriving in Boston a month later. Honest Election League, the Woman Citi- tographic portrait of White wearing Other voyages recounted in the jour- zens’ Union, and the New Orleans chapter his judicial robes. (2009.0115) nal include the maiden voyage of the of the League of Women Voters. She was a When one considers the care that Charlotte, traveling from Savannah to founding member and first president of wildfowl carvers take in researching and Liverpool, and of the John Baring, from the Louisiana Landmarks Society. Her creating their subjects, the resulting object Mobile to Liverpool. The journal entries lifelong dedication to civic issues and his- end abruptly on the 20th day of the ship toric preservation garnered for her the Juno’s 1839 voyage from Boston to Ham- Times-Picayune Loving Cup in 1961 and burg, Germany. (2009.0034) the Louise du Pont Crowinshield Award The Collection recently acquired the from the National Trust for Historic Pres- Civil War–era diary of prominent local ervation in 1963. As president of the Loui- attorney Arthur F. Simon. Born in 1841 siana Council for the Vieux Carré, she was into a family of 10 children, Simon grew up a major force in defeating the Riverfront in an environment in which law was a Expressway. A recently acquired etching family business—Simon’s father had been by New Orleans artist Charles W. Rich- Green-winged teal drake decoy with artist’s an attorney as well, and since its arrival in ards shows Robinson in profile. According Filbert paint brushes and carving knife, decoy Louisiana, the Simon family has distin- to donors George E. Jordan and Michel G. by William C. Hanemann, 2008 guished itself in the legal profession with

16 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 members of at least four generations attain- Library regiment was mustered into service in Sep- ing seats on the Louisiana Supreme Court. tember 1862 at Camp Kelly in Hudson, Simon’s memoirs, which begin in For the first quarter of 2009 (January− New York, and left for New Orleans that 1864, are of young love—personal reflec- March), there were 50 acquisitions, totaling December. Like the 11th Wisconsin, the tions interspersed with poetry. Simon 50 items. 128th New York participated in Banks’s married Marie Dejean of St. Martin Par- The Historic New Orleans Collection Louisiana campaign and saw extensive ish after finishing his service with the recently acquired two regimental histories action at Port Hudson. At least two-thirds Yellow Jacket Battalion in the Civil War. of northern units that fought in Louisiana of the book covers the regiment’s activi- They had five children. Diary entries from during the Civil War. ties in Louisiana, detailing engagements 1867 chronicle Simon’s love for Marie The first, History of the 11th Wiscon- at Cane River Crossing, Mansura Plains, and the anguish he felt during her illness. sin Veteran Vol[unteer]. Inf[antry]. Giving a Alexandria, the Atchafalaya, and Cedar Following Marie’s death, Simon married Reliable Account of Its Marches, Hardships Creek. A fold-out frontispiece features Mathilda Dejean, his late wife’s sister. and Battles From Its Organization to October Camp Millington in Baltimore, one of the The diary also includes several pencil 1864, was compiled and published in New regiment’s early camps. The book includes drawings by Simon, including an inter- Orleans by James J. McMyler in 1865, photographs of 10 officers of the regi- pretation of a 16th-century portrait of possibly during the final days of the war. ment, a sketch of the regimental badge, ill-fated English monarch Lady Jane Grey The 10 companies of the 11th Wisconsin and an abbreviated roll of names, ranks, (1537–1554). Other sketches include regiment were mustered at Camp Randall and promotions of all the men who were Voilà l’zou zou!, depicting a man wearing in Madison, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1861 commissioned or enlisted in the regiment. a Turkish-style cap and holding a goblet, and deployed November 20. The first 32 (2009.0036.2) and Polichinelle, which shows a traditional pages chronicle their action in Mississippi The library recently acquired the character performing in the Comédie at Port Gibson, Vicksburg, and Jackson three-volume 1984 reprint edition of Italienne at Paris. Simon died in 1919. before being ordered to New Orleans in Records of Louisiana Confederate Soldiers (2009.0035) preparation for Nathaniel Banks’s western and Louisiana Confederate Commands by Adding to its substantial collection of Louisiana campaign. During the summer Andrew Booth. The rare 1920 original materials concerning the War of 1812 and of 1863, this unit was stationed in Louisi- publication was the first comprehensive the Battle of New Orleans, The Collection ana, in Carrollton, Brashear City (Morgan alphabetical roster of its kind. Containing recently acquired microfilm copies of City), Franklin, New Iberia, Vermilion- records of more than 50,000 Louisiana selected documents from the National ville (Lafayette), and St. Martinville. After Confederate soldiers and 900 military Library of Scotland. The documents are assignments in Texas, western Tennes- organizations, it included members of from the Papers of Admiral Sir Alexander see, and northern Mississippi, the unit obscure French-speaking units that dis- Forester Ingles Cochrane and the Papers of returned to New Orleans. The remainder banded after the fall of New Orleans, as George Robert Gleig. Royal Navy com- of the book is a detailed roster of every sol- well as individual career summaries and a mander Cochrane (1758–1832) orches- dier by company: where and when each few physical descriptions. Like the origi- trated the British invasion of Louisiana, enlisted and where he was born, includ- nal, the reprint is also considered rare and and Gleig (1796–1888) was a subaltern ing lists of those wounded, dead, deserted, is often consulted by local military histori- with the British 85th Light Infantry, which discharged, and transferred. This copy is ans and genealogists. (2009.0036.3.1-.3) fought in the Battle of New Orleans. inscribed on the title page by the origi- New Orleans’ Illustrated News was hailed Cochrane’s papers provide specific nal owner, Charles George, a veteran of on its covers in the early 1920s as “The details concerning the planning and logis- the 11th Wisconsin, Company H, who South’s Most Beautiful Magazine.” The tics of the invasion, as well as other opera- noted that he was discharged in St. Louis library recently acquired the publication’s tions in the Gulf during 1814, particularly in December 1864. There are remnants of March–April 1922 issue, which opens the attempts to arm Creek and Seminole the original blue paper wraps, but George with editor Charles E. Gilbert Jr.’s declara- warriors in West Florida. Gleig, who went had his copy bound with his name and tion, “Just Queens This Month.” Citing on to become chaplain-general of the Brit- “11. Wisconsin.” stamped in gilt on the popular demand, Gilbert devoted the issue ish army, wrote a popular memoir about spine. (2009.0036.1) to beautiful photographs of 1922’s Carni- his experiences as a subaltern during the The second acquisition, History of val queens and maids in all their formal, War of 1812. The microfilm includes his the One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Regi- flapper finery. (2008.0353) personal correspondence, some of which ment, New York Volunteers [U. S. Infantry] —Pamela D. Arceneaux contains information about the Battle in the Late Civil War, was written nearly of New Orleans unavailable from other 30 years after the war’s end. David Henry sources. (2009.0080 or MF4) Hanaburgh, chairman of a committee of —Mary Lou Eichhorn veterans, published the book in 1894. This

The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 17 Educational Outreach Update

From Gentilly to Metairie to Mandeville, The Collection Brings History Alive for Local Children Here’s where the THNOC Education Department has been recently: Gentilly Terrace Centennial Celebration New Orleans neighborhood Gentilly Terrace and Gardens celebrated its 100th birthday on April 4 with food, music, and an arts and crafts market. THNOC’s education department hosted the activities for children, which included listening to oral histories, writing let- Lake Harbor Middle School students stand proudly in front of their mural ters to children of the future, and taking a history- themed scavenger hunt. World Culture Day: Gumbo Project At Lake Harbor Middle School in Mandeville, World Culture Day is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating Posing in a reproduction cultures from around the world—and closer to home, too. of 19th-century artist Jean-Joseph Vaudechamp's On April 23, THNOC staff taught 240 students about portrait of William Charles local culture through an examination of one of our signa- Cole Claiborne II at the ture dishes: gumbo. The lesson focused on the contributions Gentilly Terrace Centennial of different cultural groups—Spanish, French, African, and Celebration Native American—and topped it all off with a taste of sea- food gumbo. Rockin’ out with Tremé Brass Band, Family Day Art Adventure Day: Louisiana Coastal Wetlands The Collection presented a “Louisiana Coastal Wetlands” program to 480 fourth- and fifth-graders at Lake Harbor on May 8. Students painted a 20-foot mural of wetland animals and vegetation and planted cypress seedlings, which will be transferred to the wetlands to help prevent coastal ero- sion. The cypress seeds were provided by the Louisiana State University’s Coastal Roots Program. Invention Discovery Trunk The Collection made an “Invention Discovery Trunk” presentation to 130 fifth-graders at Alice Birney Elementary School in Metairie on May 13. Through discussion of objects selected from the trunk, students learned to classify dates into Posing in front centuries and gained a better understanding of how creative of Michael P. ideas have affected history. Smith photograph, Family Day Family Day The Collection’s annual Family Day again drew hundreds of children and adults for a free day of fun and educational activities. This year’s program celebrated the exhibition In the Spirit: The Photography of Michael P. Smith, a journey into the world of New Orleans’s second lines, jazz funerals, brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians, and social aid and pleasure clubs. Family Day featured music by the Tremé Brass Band and children’s entertainer Papillion. Children created their own second-line regalia and had their pictures taken in front of a Michael P. Smith photograph. Larry Bannock, Big Chief of the Golden Star Hunters, and musician/songwriter Leslie Smith, daughter of the artist Michael P. Smith, offered their thoughts on New Orleans culture. Dancing in the street, Family Day 18 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009 Current Exhibitions Staff

In the Spirit Volunteers The Photography of Michael P. Smith from The Historic New Orleans Collection Reid Hinshelwood and Patrick Willis, Photographer Michael P. Smith (1937–2008) captured the heart and soul of New docent department Orleans’s music, culture, and folkways. He documented the physical and social struc- Publications tures that helped shape the unique cultural identity of his native New Orleans. In 2007, Mark Cave, Saving Wednesday’s Child (2009) The Collection acquired Smith’s body of work, ensuring both its long-term preservation and ultimate public access. In the Spirit marks the inaugural public presentation of the Interns Michael P. Smith Archive from The Historic New Orleans Collection. Emily Stern Schlesinger, University of Pennsylvania, and Sarah Clausen and Williams Gallery, 533 Royal Street Danielle Choate, Episcopal High School Through September 13, 2009 in Baton Rouge, education department. Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Admission: free International Exchange This summer marks the second year in the hhh three-year exchange program between The Collection and the École nationale des Josephine Crawford chartes in Paris—a school that prepares An Artist’s Vision chief archivists, librarians, and curators. The life and work of New Orleans artist This year Aurore Cartier, a student at the Josephine Marien Crawford (1878–1952) is École, is interning at The Collection, and celebrated this summer at The Historic New Howard Margot, land records cataloger Orleans Collection with an exhibition and the at The Collection, will be studying at the release of a biography. École in November. The Collection is The exhibition, which seeks to recreate also hosting two interns from the École Crawford’s creative milieu, presents a selec- du Louvre this summer. Pierre-Olivier tion of her paintings and drawings from Benech and Elodie Voillot were con- the holdings of The Historic New Orleans nected with The Collection through the Collection, other repositories, and private French Heritage Society. lenders. Highlights include portraits, still Girl Under Mosquito Net by Josephine Crawford, lifes, sketchbooks, and a remarkable series between 1930 and 1940, courtesy of Louise of portraits painted on the wallpaper of her Chapman Hoffman Royal Street studio. The exhibition is complemented by photographs of Josephine, her family, and French art master André Lhote, with whom she studied in Paris. Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street Through August 29, 2009 Editors: Rachel Gibbons, Mary Mees Garsaud Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Director of Publications: Jessica Dorman Admission: free Photography: Keely Merritt Graphic Design: Theresa Norris The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly is published by The Historic New Orleans Collection, which is THE SHOP operated by the Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation, a Louisiana nonprofit corporation. Housed in a complex of India Stewart Designs historic buildings in the French Quarter, facilities are open to the public, Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until The Shop at The Collection is now offering an exclusive selection 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Tours of the History Galleries and the Williams Residence of handmade jewelry, sculptures, and ornaments designed by New are available for a nominal fee. Orleans artist India Stewart. A south Louisiana native, Stewart has Board of Directors Mrs. William K. Christovich, Chairman always been inspired by the textures and colors surrounding her in Charles A. Snyder, President nature. Her creativity is drawn from the beauty she sees in coastal John Kallenborn Fred M. Smith John E. Walker, Immediate Past President waterways, cypress- and moss-draped bayous, and lush gardens cov- Drew Jardine R. Hunter Pierson Jr. ered in ivy and flowers. It is through art that Stewart strives to share E. Alexandra Stafford her inspiration with others. Priscilla Lawrence, Executive Director The Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal Street A sampling of Stewart's pins and earrings is pictured left (top to bottom): New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 14-karat-gold-plated bee pin ($35), silver butterfly pin ($28), elephant- (504) 523-4662 [email protected] • www.hnoc.org leaf pin ($40), and banana-leaf earrings ($70). Please visit www.hnoc.org ISSN 0886-2109 or call (504) 498-7147 to order this distinctive jewelry. © 2009 The Historic New Orleans Collection

The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 19 Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION Nonprofit Museum • Research Center • Publisher Organization 533 Royal Street • New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 U.S. Postage PAID (504) 523-4662 • Visit The Collection on the Internet at www.hnoc.org New Orleans, LA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Concerts in the Courtyard The Collection’s concert series again drew hundreds of people to the French Quarter for New Orleans music and cocktails. This spring’s festivities served up music by Leslie Smith and drinks by Firefly Sweet Tea vodka in March, Linnzi Zaorski and sazeracs in April, Fredy Omar and margaritas in May, and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys and bourbon in June. Sazerac Company, Inc. sponsored the series. Join us this fall for a fantastic line-up, including Rebirth Brass Band, Marva Wright, and Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue. Visit www.hnoc.org for dates.

20 Volume XXVI, Number 3 — Summer 2009