Landmarks’ Préservation

The Journal of the Landmarks Society

Sexton in the City Vol. 51, No. 2 By Sandra Stokes and Michael Duplantier Summer 2014 James Wade, Editor More than two years of work to save the sexton cottages in ' publicly- owned Lafayette Cemeteries No. 1 and No. 2 was not enough to prevent the proposed Inside this issue: demolition of the historic cottages by the Sexton in the City 1 City of New Orleans.

A Message from the 2 In March 2012, representatives of Louisi- President ana Landmarks Society, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, and Save Our Ceme- 1722 Esplanade 2 teries visited Holt, Lafayette No. 1 and La- fayette No. 2 Cemeteries to review the Harnett T. Kane Award 4 Presented to Michael work being proposed by the city. The Sexton Cottage at Lafayette Cemetery No. 2 Duplantier preservation groups learned that the $2.6 In September of 2012, after much debate, million of improvements at cemeteries From the Archives 5 the city agreed that instead of demolishing across the city included the demolition of the two cottages, it would allow preserva- Meet the New Board of 6 the historic sexton cottages at these three tionists to donate architectural designs Trustees cemeteries. and the project manual for the cottages'

renovation, provided that the renovation Because federal funds were scheduled to plans would allow for construction within be used for the costs of replacing the cot- the available budget. The engagement of tages, the required Section 106 process the preservationists and the resulting solu- was initiated by FEMA, and representatives tions reached by the consenting agencies of the non-profits, along with other gov- were praised as a perfect example of a ernment agencies and contractors joined Section 106 process. There would no in the review process with the objective to New Gift Passes longer be any adverse effect to the historic “avoid, minimize, or mitigate” adverse im- LLS has developed a new way properties. pacts to the historic cemeteries. After it for members to introduce peo- ple to the Society and the Pitot was determined that the cottage at Holt House. We are offering a book- Cemetery was in good condition and could Over the course of the next year and a let of ten passes for you to easily be renovated, the city agreed to do half, the preservation groups and the city hand out as you choose. The worked together in good faith toward this booklet of ten costs $50.00 so, and the focus turned to the cottages in based on a discounted tour Lafayette No. 1 and No. 2. Saving these apparent win-win solution. The non-profits rate of $5.00 per person. cottages was more complicated. The build- worked tirelessly, meeting with the city ings had been allowed by the city to fall every step of the way. Architect Michael These Passes have no expira- into serious disrepair, and the city wanted Rouchell provided the drafting and the tion date and are handy to project manual, while John Schackai of Sus- have on hand for houseguests, to demolish the historic cottages to build new neighbors, or that person cinder block maintenance sheds clad in tainable Architects was the designer and at your office who just moved cement board. architect of record. The designs were to New Orleans. Continued on page 3... Page 2 Landmarks’ Préservation

We are also all responsible for insur- A Message from the President ing that there are funding sources available to support the important wide organizations whose primary work of the Society. I urge you to get mission is standing up for the built involved in the fundraising activities environment of our city against those of the Society through volunteering to who would endanger the character of help with the Marché des Fêtes, sup- a unique place. When our neighbor- porting the Vino on the Bayou events, hood organizations need help to save or by making donations to the Society. their neighborhoods, we work with

them to preserve the culture of our How else can you help support your city. Louisiana Landmarks Society?

 Increase your level of membership Dear LLS Friends and Supporters, The Pitot House also defines Louisiana Landmarks Society. We own the Pitot  Write advocacy letters to your public officials when asked to do The Mission of the Louisiana Land- House because it was the only way so marks Society is to promote historic that we could save it from demolition  Get involved in the work of the preservation through advocacy, educa- and preserve it as an important part of various committees tion and the operation of the Pitot our city and its story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of this important House. If you would like to volunteer, please save, and we pledge to you, the mem- contact Margot Hammond, our volun- The founding members of this society bers of the Louisiana Landmarks Soci- teer coordinator, at felt strongly about saving the built ety, that we will continue to be good [email protected]. environment of our city, and came stewards of this property. Remember, together to fight for it. you, the membership, are a part of We promise on our part to keep you,

this house. You, the members, can the membership, the real owners of In becoming a member of the Louisi- make sure that it is paying its way by this Society, advised about how you ana Landmarks Society, you joined holding your weddings and other so- can help ensure that the uniqueness that advocacy organization envisioned cial or business affairs at the house of New Orleans is preserved. nearly 65 years ago. In becoming a and by supporting the events held member of LLS, you stood up to be there. This house will endure for the Sincerely, counted in the continuous efforts to next generation if you, the member- save New Orleans. This is what we do. ship, support it. Casey In fact, we are one of the only city-

1722 Esplanade By Charles A. Berg AIA, NCARB, MPS

Early in the morning of May 10, 2014, a fire and explosion se- verely damaged a multi-family residence at 1722 Espla- nade. While no one was injured, the building, a large early 20th century home converted to 12 apartments, was severely damaged, with the riverside wall blown out and the roof and third floor al- most completely collapsed. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. At this time, some minor stabilization efforts have been implemented at the front façade, but according to the HDLC, no long-term plans have been submitted for restoration. With the roof open to the sky and elements, water damage and decay will continue. With no visible progress to protect it, this structure, the only remaining building between two parking lots on the uptown side of the street, is clearly in danger of being lost. You can help by contacting District “D” Councilmember Jared C. Brossett at [email protected], and urge enforcement that will mandate the 1722 Esplanade Avenue post fire and explosion repairs necessary to bring this forlorn residence back into com- merce, and prevent further blight. Vol. 51, No. 2 Page 3

Sexton and the City (Continued)... LLS OFFICERS approved by all parties at all levels. abruptly ending the Section 106 re- PRESIDENT The only remaining issue was that in view. The city left federal funds on T. Casey Stuart order for the city to accept the dona- the table rather than continue meeting tion of the architectural designs and with preservationists to discuss ways FIRST VICE PRESIDENT services, Sustainable Architects would to make the new designs blend better R. Stephen Chauvin also need to sign a Cooperative En- with the historic cemeteries that the SECOND VICE PRESIDENT deavor Agreement (CEA) with the city. cottages served. This cleared the path Sandra Stokes for the city to demolish the buildings The renovation of the cottages and build cement masonry buildings TREASURER reached an impasse when the negotia- with no further design consultation or Aubry A. Miller tions broke down over certain of the review from preservationists. obligations required by the city to be ASSISTANT TREASURER part of the CEA. The obligations could The Louisiana Landmarks Society, the Charles A. Berg not be agreed to, and the city eventu- Foundation for Historical Louisiana, RECORDING SECRETARY ally cancelled the working agreement Save Our Cemeteries and the dedi- Rachel Robinson to save the historic cottages. cated architects gave their all for more than two years to save these two his- CORRESPONDING SECRETARY The preservation groups then learned toric cottages, an effort deemed im- Betsy Stout that the city no longer found the pre- portant due to the critical role that the viously approved designs for the sex- cemeteries play in the cultural history TRUSTEES ton cottages acceptable, and had con- and authenticity of our city. The unfor- Michael D. Ballard Jr. cluded that the low maintenance of tunate result of this failed effort is Edward Bonin newly-constructed cement masonry particularly disappointing in that the Hilary Somerville Irvin structures was the only option. goals of the City of New Orleans and Heather Knight

preservationists were not mutually Elizabeth M. Landis The preservationists then suggested exclusive. The restoration of the his- Howard W. Mielke ways to salvage something from the toric sexton cottages could have main- Thomas W. Milliner proposed demolition of the cottages, tained the cemeteries’ integrity, while Taylor Schmidt Pospisil such as using revised designs pro- meeting the programmatic and main- Drew Stewart vided by the preservationists to build tenance needs of the city. The im- James Wade the new cottages, or deconstructing pending destruction of the historic the existing cottages and reusing cottages represents not only loss of a STAFF some of the material and trim. Just part of New Orleans’ historic fabric, prior to a scheduled meeting to dis- but loss of the promising precedent of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR cuss these and other design options, an effective and consequential work- Walter W. Gallas, AICP the preservationists were startled to ing relationship between preservation- learn that the city had withdrawn its HOUSE COORDINATOR ists and public officials. request to use FEMA funds that were Meagan Pryor available for the cottages, thus LOUISIANA LANDMARKS SOCIETY & PITOT HOUSE Beginning in October, Louisiana Land- 1440 Moss Street marks Society will again be partnering New Orleans, LA 70119 with Save Our Cemeteries on a series Ph. 504-482-0312 of joint tours focused on mourning [email protected] SAVE THE customs in the 19th century. The www.louisianalandmarks.org DATES! tours will be every Friday beginning October 3rd and running weekly until This newsletter is published quarterly November 21st. Attendees will tour St. by the Louisiana Landmarks Society, Louis Cemetery No. 3 before returning Inc., a 501(C)(3) organization, for infor- mational purposes. Comments and to the Pitot House for a tour featuring letters to the editor are solicited. All mourning items and customs. rights reserved. Page 4 Landmarks’ Préservation

for the Historic Faubourg St. Mary Cor- Harnett T. Kane Award Presented poration, the Vieux Carré Commission to Michael Duplantier and the Historic District Landmarks Commissions. His decades of volun- teer work have included zoning and neighborhood preservation; public interest counseling and litigation; drafting legislation; serving on com- missions, committees and boards, and many appearances at hearings before the city council, public boards, the state legislature. He was also very in- volved with the citizens committee that secured the City of New Orleans master plan charter amendment in 2008. He has served as president of the Central Business District Improve- ment Association, the Esplanade Ridge Association, and served on the From left: Sandra Stokes, Michael Duplantier, T. Casey Stuart, and Walter Gallas board of the PRC, the Lafayette Square Association, Vieux Carré Property On May 19th at LLS’s Annual Meeting, town and was appointed by Mayor Owners, Residents and Associates, the 2014 Harnett T. Kane Award was to the study commit- and the Louisiana Landmarks Society. presented to local preservationist, tee for historic districting downtown. He recently concluded a seven year Michael Duplantier. He helped lobby for passage of the term on the board of Save Our Ceme- enabling legislation, wrote the ordi- teries, serving as president in 2010.

The Harnett T. Kane Award was cre- nance establishing historic districts In presenting the award, Sandra ated and endowed by LLS founding downtown, and served on the first Stokes, Landmarks’ 2nd Vice President member Harnett T. Kane in 1965, to historic district commission. Duplan- be given in recognition of an individ- and Chair of Advocacy said, “Michael tier also worked to establish historic Duplantier has made remarkable con- ual or organization for significant life- districting for Canal Street and has time contributions to historic preser- tributions in the area of historic pres- been involved in the fights to save ervation in our community, where he vation, locally or regionally. threatened historic buildings down- has worked tirelessly for decades. Mi- A native New Orleanian, Michael town, including the Bradford Building, chael has been more than generous Duplantier became actively involved in the Hicks Building, the Cumberland with his time and expertise on the preservation in downtown New Or- Building, the MECO buildings and the Landmarks Society's Advocacy Com- leans in 1973. He lobbied to have the Orpheum Theater, among many oth- mittee, so I was particularly pleased to City Council pass a moratorium on the ers. be the person to call him with the demolition of historic buildings down- news of this award. The award is well Duplantier has served as legal counsel deserved and long overdue.” Arriving on Bookshelves in Fall 2014!

To mark the 50th Anniversary of the acquisition and relocation of the Pitot House by Louisiana Landmarks Society, we are proud to announce the forthcom- ing publication of The Pitot House: A Landmark on Bayou St. John. Written by James Wade, with photography by Robert S. Brantley and Jan White Brantley, as well as a foreword by Eugene D. Cizek, this new book captures the history and beauty of the Pitot House. Readers will no doubt come away with a stronger un- derstanding of the property and the Society’s mission. To reserve your copy and take advantage of member pricing contact us at: 504-482-0312 or [email protected] Vol. 51, No. 2 Page 5 From the Archives First published in Préservation, Vol. 10, No. 1, August 1967 From the Editor: 2014 marks the 50th if we would move it; the anniversary of Louisiana Landmarks City of New Orleans pro- Society’s acquisition of the Pitot House vided a portion of nearby on Bayou St. John. The occasion, along land; Mr. Seymour Weiss with work on our forthcoming up- made the first sizeable con- dated Pitot House book, inspired us to tribution to the restoration; take a journey through our archives. Koch & Wilson were chosen In this issue, we would like to share a as architects for the restora- August 1967 article by Ethel S. Vernon tion; Abry Brothers were Pitot House shortly after move, July 1964 in which she updates the LLS member- hired to move Pitot House unier, our legal advisor, estimated our ship on the history and progress of to its new location; the Landmarks damage to be around $14,000- plus the Pitot House restoration. We hope Board transferred $5,000 from our the loss of many months of labor. In- you enjoy! Restoration Fund for the project. Now surance covered the financial loss, but the arduous task of moving and resto- because of the extensive damage to Pitot House Report ration began. property throughout the city, the re- With the restoration of Pitot House sumption of restoration on Pitot approaching its final phase, a report As soon as our plans were announced, House was delayed for some time. on the project from its inception public interest was most rewarding. Bayou St. John residents, local news seems indicated. Mr. Vandenburgh generously replaced media, garden clubs, local antique the hurricane-destroyed fence; John The Society became involved in an dealers and just ordinary citizens of- Manville is selling us roofing at 1/3 actual restoration as the result of a fered aid and assistance. Financial the cost (to replace lost slates); and letter from Mr. Sidney Gonzales in contributions, some of them quite many of our workmen, contractors June, 1963, alerting Landmarks to the substantial, arrived in every mail. By and suppliers have made financial threatened demolition of two historic Fall of 1964 moving was completed contributions. It has literally been a homes on Bayou St. John by the Mis- and the restoration begun. ‘labor of love’ for many. In May, 1966, sionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. On January 21, 1965, the following our Plantation Tour netted us $290.78 Through the tireless efforts of Harnett report of Pitot House expenditures and our Bayou St. John Tour added Kane, Tom Meunier, Sam Wilson, Leo- was made to the Board: $597.50 to the Pitot House Fund. By nard Huber, Rose D’Antonio, Felix November, 1966, Pitot House was re- Kuntz, Sidney Gonzales, Mme. and M. Materials (bricks, blocks, etc)…971.76 stored to the point it had reached Henry Pitot (descendents of Mayor Abry Bros. to move house…10,500.00 when the hurricane struck. Pitot) and many others, the rescue was J. Waters, foundation…………5,104.26 Now it is August, 1967. The latest launched. Architects fees…………………1,030.50 Watchman………………….……...282.00 financial accounting on the Pitot By March, 1964, the buildings had Insurance………………………..…118.00 House Fund is as follows: been examined and measured and an Advertising & miscellaneous…..102.57 Total expenditures……..….$52,334.82 estimate secured for moving them. By Expenditures total………...$18,109.09 Total income …………………46,201.62 mid-May, 1964, we still had no firm Paid in by donors…………….25,617.06 Balance on Waters contract…1,750.00 commitment from the Sisters. But by Landmarks pledge…………….5,000.00 Total deficit ……………….….$7,833.20 this time the Mayor and City Council Balance in House Fund……$12,507.97 In addition to raising money to clear were listening to our plans for saving up this deficit, portions of the exterior the more important of the two houses- In spite of our paid watchman, Pitot need plastering and the wood trim the home of New Orleans’ second House has continually suffered from must be painted. This will add ap- mayor, James Pitot. vandalism. To deter such destruction, Mr. A.G. Vandenburgh, representative proximately $5,400 to the sum we Finally, in June, 1964, almost a year for Quaid Fence, erected a sturdy must raise. Mr. Wilson estimates that after Mr. Gonzales’ warning letter, our metal enclosure- his gift for the pro- it will cost another $30,000 to finish efforts began to show results. The ject. the interior properly and install bath- Sisters were glad to give us the house- room and kitchen facilities. Then came hurricane Betsy. Mr. Me- Page 6 Landmarks’ Préservation

Master of Preservation Studies degree Meet the Board of Trustees from (2011) ensued. After a stint with the Vieux Carré T. Casey Stuart the Charity Hospital Commission, he returned to private President building and then architectural practice focusing on the leading the campaign Born in New Orleans, Casey graduated restoration of historic properties to show that the build- from Jesuit High School and received a throughout New Orleans. He currently ing could be returned Bachelor of Business Administration resides in an 1853 shotgun house, a to use as a 21st cen- from Loyola University. After retiring work in progress, in the Faubourg tury hospital. She is from thirty years in the pharmaceuti- Marigny. also on the boards of Smart Growth cal industry, he earned a Master of for Louisiana and the Lafayette Square Preservation Studies from Tulane Uni- Rachel Robinson versity, where he has also taught as a Association. Sandra is the recipient of Recording Secretary the National Trust's first Peter Brink volunteer. Formerly Landmarks' 1st A native of Chatta- Award for Individual Achievement in Vice President, he has also served as nooga, Tennessee, Historic Preservation. Vice-President for Education and Com- Rachel is the execu- munity Outreach on the board of Save tive director of the Aubry A. Miller Our Cemeteries. He is a member of Vieux Carré Commis- Treasurer numerous other historical and genea- sion Foundation. She Aubry Miller is a na- logical organizations. He has lectured has a Master's degree tive of New Orleans. extensively on New Orleans history in urban and environ- She received her and architecture topics and on the mental planning and Bachelor of Science in historic cemeteries of New Orleans. a certificate in historic preservation Management from from the University of Virginia School R. Stephen Chauvin, AIA, NCARB Louisiana State Univer- of Architecture. She has lived in New 1st Vice President sity and later earned Orleans for six years. her MBA from the Uni- A life-long resident of New Orleans, versity of New Orleans Stephen holds a Masters degree in Betsy Stout Architecture from Tulane University. with a concentration in Finance. After Corresponding Secretary previously working as a Certified Inter- As recipient of the John Lawrence Betsy Stout is a life-long New Or- nal Auditor, Aubry currently works for Travel Research Fellowship in 1978, leanian, descending from French and Entergy as a Lead Financial Analyst in Stephen travelled, researched and lec- Spanish families in New Orleans for the Finance Business Partners division. tured on Charles Rennie Mackintosh over 200 years. She became interested In addition to her involvement with (1868-1928),architect and artist, Glas- in preservation as a small child when the Louisiana Landmarks Society, Au- gow, Scotland. He is the president of she discovered that half of the man- bry is an alumni advisor for Delta Chauvin Arkhitekton, a Professional sions on St. Charles Avenue had been Gamma sorority at Loyola University Corporation, established in 1983. Li- torn down to build drug stores, gas and a member of the Junior League of censed architect and general contrac- stations, and apartment build- New Orleans. Aubry resides in historic tor specializing in residential design ings. She believes that citizens must Old Gretna with her husband, LaCour, and construction, Stephen has a pas- keep a close watch on government to her dachshund, Gumbo, and rescue sion for advocating for the preserva- insure that plans for preservation of cat, Smudge. tion of the architectural/cultural treas- our priceless architecture and ures of our city. neighborhoods are followed. Charles A. (Chuck) Berg, AIA

Sandra Stokes Assistant Treasurer Michael D. Ballard, Jr. 2nd Vice President Raised in Mexico City Mike Ballard is a Sandra Stokes has served as 2nd Vice of American diplomat graduate of Tulane President and chair of the Landmarks' parents, Chuck gradu- University with a Mas- Advocacy Committee for the past year. ated with architecture ter of Architecture She has also served on the board of degrees from Hous- and a concentration the Foundation for Historical Louisi- ton’s Rice University in Historic Preserva- ana for seven years, most notably (1974 &1978). An en- tion. Since 2002, he spearheading the massive effort that during interest in historic preservation has designed and raised some $600,000 for a study of brought him to New Orleans, and a Vol. 51, No. 2 Page 7 consulted on historic rehabilitation Louisiana Folklife Office. She has trav- a partner in the Anzelmo, Milliner & throughout the country. Mike joined eled to Guatemala, Cuba, Scotland, Burke law firm. He the CORE USA team in February as Ireland and France to study vernacular has handled a num- Director of Integrative Design and architecture, traditional building arts ber of city planning manages sustainable design and his- and lime-based technology. She has and zoning matters toric rehabilitation incentives. served as Director of Tulane's Preser- while serving in the vation Studies Summer Field School City Attorney's Of- Edward (Eddie) Bonin and Professor of the Preservation fice and in his pri- Eddie is a descendant of the last pri- Technology course that used the Pitot vate practice. vate owner of the Pitot House, Joseph House as a learning laboratory in the Steckler. Steckler’s daughter who was spring of 2009. Taylor Schmidt Pospisil Eddie’s grandmother, Gertrude, first A native New Orleanian, Taylor at- introduced him to the house when he Elizabeth M. Landis tended Louise S. McGehee School was a child visiting New Orleans from Elizabeth Mahorner Landis is a lifelong where she developed a strong appre- St. Martinville, and he has felt a con- resident of New Orleans. She appreci- ciation for art history. She later gradu- nection to it ever since. His motivation ates that the rich history of our city ated from The University of Missis- for being a member of Louisiana Land- lives on in its many architectural treas- sippi with a degree in art history and marks Society is to be a part of pre- ures. As a long-time elementary edu- hospitality management. Taylor is ac- serving the culture and character of cator, Elizabeth loves watching school- tively involved in the community, and this great city and state. children experience history and learn is a member of the Junior League of the importance of preservation New Orleans. Her love for the city of Hilary Somerville Irvin through the example of the Pitot New Orleans, preserving its rich cul- A native of Minter House. tural history, and her experience in City, Mississippi, event planning and development have Hilary moved to New Howard W. Mielke, Ph.D. led to the opportunity to serve on Orleans 42 years ago A native of St. Paul, Landmarks' Board of Trustees and to from Providence, Minnesota, Howard co-chair the Development Committee Rhode Island, where came to New Orleans in 2013-14. she had the pleasure to settle in Septem- of working with the ber, 1989. He is em- Drew Stewart grand dame of pres- ployed by Tulane A native New Orleanian and LSU ervation, Antoinette Downing, who University School of graduate, Drew returned home in whetted her appetite for urban preser- Medicine as a faculty 2012 after a nearly 30 year career in vation. Hilary holds a B.A. in history member in the De- Washington, D.C., as a producer/ from Hollins College and an M.A. in partment of Pharmacology, where he director of high profile video commu- history from the University of New studies and maps environmental nications for corporate, government, Orleans. From 1985 until her retire- chemicals that have life-long effects and international non-profit organiza- ment in 2013, Hilary served as the on children's health and behavior. His tions. principal architectural historian with goal is to promote improvements in the Vieux Carré Commission. She is New Orleans communities to trans- James Wade now an independent historical and form them into safer areas for present James holds advanced degrees in his- architectural consultant. and future generations. He hopes tory, library science and historic pres- ideas about inter-generationally sus- ervation. A former Heather Knight tainable communities ultimately sup- rare books librarian Heather received her B.A. in Political port the long-term preservation goals and archivist, James Science with a double minor in History of the Louisiana Landmarks Society. focuses his work with and Louisiana Studies from Tulane the Louisiana Land- University. She holds a Master of Pres- Thomas W. (Tommy) Milliner marks Society on using ervation Studies from Tulane Univer- Mr. Milliner is a native New Orleanian the Pitot House as a sity School of Architecture (2006). A with a passion for preservation and tool for education and member of the New Orleans Crafts the urban fabric. A 1980 graduate of promoting the publishing efforts of Guild, Heather was a Research Assis- Tulane Law School, he is a former the society. His interests include Cre- tant for the Building Arts Research Deputy City AttorneyContinued and on ispage currently 5... ole culture and architecture. 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Renew Your Membership Today! WE WANT TO HEAR JOIN LANDMARKS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ___ $25 Loyalist individual FROM YOU! Your membership helps Louisiana ___ $40 Advocate household As always, if any of our members Landmarks Society promote his- ___ $100 Supporter toric preservation through educa- ___ $250 - 499 Guardian have an item of interest or an idea tion, advocacy, and operation of the ___ $500 - 999 Protector for something they would like to Pitot House. ___ $1000 - 4999 Sustainer see in Préservation, please let us know! Leave a message at the NAME Pitot House, email [email protected], or ADDRESS email our editor James Wade at

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