TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: The Historic New Orleans Collection
While visiting New Orleans we found a very interesting place to visit. “The Historical New Orleans Collection” is housed at 533 Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter. Hours are Tuesday thru Saturday, 9:30 to 4:30 and Sunday, 10:30 to 4:30. Closed on Mondays.
The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to preserving the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. It was founded in 1966 by General L. Kemper Williams and Leila Hardie Moore Williams who were collectors of Louisiana memorabilia and wanted to share their collections with the public.
Guided tours give visitors an inside look at the elegant residence of the founders including the magnificent architecture and plush courtyards and it includes 7 buildings that compose the complex.. It truly is a remarkable tour and true New Orleans history at it’s finest. They have beautiful period furniture, silver, porcelain and oil paintings. There are different exhibits at different times. In addition they have a very interesting Gift shop.
The Williams Research Center is located just a block away at 410 Chartres Street. Their hours are Tuesday thru Saturday, 9:30 to 4:30 and they are closed on Sunday and Monday. They have over one million items from more than 300 years, documenting New Orleans history. Scholars, historians and the general public can do research there.While we were there, they had an exhibit of photographs by the Louisiana photographer, Clarence John Laughlin who was an American photographer best known for his surrealistic photographs of the South. The exhibit . also included photos by his contemporary photographer/friends. It was a remarkable and interesting exhibit.
The subject matter ran from landscapes to people in the area as well as buildings, trees, nature and a good general range for all to enjoy. Laughlin’s business and personal correspondence, notebooks, negative index, clipping file, and published and unpublished manuscripts for books and the articles are available to research at the Williams Research Center there. This certainly a “must see” place to visit and tour when visiting New Orleans!
Before visiting the Collection, visit their website at www.hnoc.org. Their phone is: 504.523.4662.
When we visit museums and historical places, we always enjoy complimenting some of the people who were outstanding. Among the people that we found truly friendly and professional were Docent Kurt Owens, Receptionist, Frances Salvaggio, Volunteer Barbara Louviere and Marketing Associate Anne Robichaux. You could tell that they all enjoy doing what they do. They were all very knowledgeable about New Orleans and full of information.
After visiting the Historic New Orleans Collection we highly recommend these restaurants in New Orleans,
MONA LISA’s, 1212 Royal Street, THE CHEEZY CAJUN.
To really get the ‘feel’ of New Orleans we like to stay at the BLUE60 Guest House, 1008 Elysian Fields Avenue.
Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!
TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married).
Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/