DEAD SPACE Defining the New Orleans Creole Cemetery A Site Conservation and Management Plan for St. Louis 1 Cemetery A Collaborative Studio The Department of Historic Preservation and Landscape Architecture The Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania Spring 2001 Dead Space: Defining the New Orleans Creole Cemetery Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania Major Support Provided By: Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, Office of Cultural Development and Tourism Samuel H. Kress Foundation Save Our Cemeteries, Inc. The Archdiocese of New Orleans The Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania The School of Architecture, Tulane University The Market Center, Dennis Alonzo and Nathan Chapman i Dead Space: Defining the New Orleans Creole Cemetery Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The students and faculty of the Dead Space Collaborative Studio would like to acknowledge the following individuals and organizations for their help and support: · Regina Bendix – Professor of Anthropology and Folklore, University of Pennsylvania · Michael D. Boudreux – Director of New Orleans Archdiocesan Cemeteries · Robert Cheetham – President of Aventis, Software Development Advisor · Donald del Cid – Professor, Preservation Studies, School of Architecture, Tulane University · Eugene Cizek – Coordinating Academic Project Advisor, Professor of Architecture, Director of Preservation Studies, Tulane University · Mary Louise Christovich – Trustee, Save Our Cemeteries, Inc. · Robert Collins – Deputy Assistant Secretary, Division of Historic Preservation, State of Louisiana · Mary Ellen Eichorn – Archivist, The Historic New Orleans Collection · Wayne M. Everard - Archivist, City of New Orleans Archives, New Orleans Public Library · Louise Ferguson – Executive Director, Save Our Cemeteries, Inc. · Jonathan Fricker – Director, Division of Historic Preservation, State of Louisiana · Sam Green – The Landmarks Foundation, New York, New York · Alfred Lemmon – Director Williams Research Center and Curator of Manuscripts, The Historic New Orleans Collection · The Historic Preservation Students of Tulane University · Dorothy Krotzer – Supervising Site Conservator, Architectural Conservation Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania · The Louisiana State Museum Library · Edward Lyon – Engineer, Army Corps of Engineers · Ann Masson – Cultural Historian and Preservationist, Preservation Resource Center · Joseph Patrick Mattera - Photographer · Dennis Montagna – Historian, Philadelphia Support Office National Park Service · Greg Osborn – City of New Orleans Archives, New Orleans Public Library/LA Division · Robert Page – Landscape Architect, Director, The Olmsted Center, National Park Service · Don Swofford – Architect, Wood, Swofford, & Assoc. Architects, FAIA · Mike Varnedo – Programmatic Grants Coordinator, Division of Historic Preservation, State of Louisiana · Alexi Vranich- Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania ii Dead Space: Defining the New Orleans Creole Cemetery Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania · Christa Wilmanns-Wells – Lecturer, Department of Historic Preservation, University of Pennsylvania · Gary A. Van Zante – Curator, Southeastern Architectural Archives, Tulane University iii Dead Space: Defining the New Orleans Creole Cemetery Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania This project has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior through the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development, Division of Historic Preservation. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior. This program received Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin or handicap in its federally assisted programs. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 iv Dead Space: Defining the New Orleans Creole Cemetery Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania TABLE OF CONTENTS BOOK I Acknowledgements ....................................................................................ii Project Overview.....................................................................................vii 1.0 PROJECT INTRODUCTION .............................................1 1.1 Goals and Statement of Purpose ......................................1 1.2 Stakeholders .......................................................................5 2.0 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND .........................................7 2.1 The City Landscape ...........................................................7 2.2 Urban History ....................................................................8 2.2.1 French Colonization..............................................8 2.2.2 Spanish Colonization...........................................10 2.2.3 Statehood ..............................................................11 2.2.4 Immigration .........................................................13 2.2.5 Expansion and Growth........................................14 2.2.6 Society and Cultures............................................16 2.3 Neighborhood History .....................................................17 2.3.1 Early Settlement and Development....................18 2.3.2 Storyville...............................................................20 2.3.3 Iberville to the Present ........................................21 2.4 Site History and Physical Changes.................................23 2.5 Tourism through Time ....................................................27 2.6 Physical Evolution of Surrounding Urban Context .....30 3.0 SURVEY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS..........................32 3.1 Previous Documentation.................................................32 3.2 Methodology.....................................................................33 3.2.1 Cartography .........................................................33 3.2.2 Landscape Features Survey................................34 3.2.3 Tomb and Marker Survey..................................35 3.2.4 Implementation of the Survey............................35 3.2.5 Database Design...................................................36 3.3 Survey Data Analysis.......................................................38 3.3.1 Existing Landscape ..............................................38 3.3.1.1 Ground Surface....................................40 3.3.1.2 Vegetation............................................42 3.3.1.3 Topography..........................................44 3.3.1.4 Drainage System..................................46 3.3.1.5 Enclosures/Entrances...........................47 3.3.1.6 Open Spaces.........................................48 v Dead Space: Defining the New Orleans Creole Cemetery Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania 3.3.2 Existing Tomb and Marker Inventory ..............51 3.3.2.1 Survey Data Analysis ..........................51 3.3.2.2 Tomb and Market Typology................53 3.3.2.3 Materials and Methods of Construction.55 4.0 PHASE I RECOMMENDATIONS....................................59 4.1 Site Management Philosophy..........................................59 4.2 Landscape Recommendations ........................................62 4.3 Tombscape Recovery.......................................................67 4.4 Tomb and Marker Conservation Guidelines................74 4.5 Metal Conservation Guidelines......................................87 4.6 Tourism Planning Recommendations ..........................102 4.7 Surrounding Neighborhood Planning..........................106 5.0 CONCLUSIONS ..............................................................112 Bibliography BOOK II: APPENDICES A. St. Louis 1 Cemetery Site Map B. New Orleans Timeline C. Historic and Modern View Comparisons D. Tomb and Marker Survey; Fragment Inventory E. Tomb and Marker Survey Manual F. Metalwork Survey G. Metalwork Photographs H. Visitor Survey I. Preliminary Analysis of Data - Maps J. Preliminary Analysis of Data - Conditions K. Photo Inventory of Site L. Additional Resources vi Dead Space: Defining the New Orleans Creole Cemetery Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania PROJECT OVERVIEW Background The early Creole cemeteries of New Orleans, long appreciated and promoted as historic sites as well as traditional burial places, are currently experiencing renewed popularity through heritage tourism. Yet with this revived interest, has come commercialization, overzealous restoration and opportunistic vandalism in addition to existing neglect and abandonment. As a result many of these sites are now at serious risk through loss of physical integrity and historical character as well as changing social and cultural contexts. A new approach to their care and management as cultural landscapes is urgently needed to make more informed decisions regarding their preservation and long- term development. New Orleans's earliest burial grounds were established in close