Old New Orleans

“He struck a match to look at his watch. In the flare of the light they saw a young woman just at Pitot’s elbow—a young woman dressed all in black, with pale gold hair, and a baby sleeping on her shoulder. She glided to the edge of the bridge and stepped noiselessly off into the black waters.”—from Ghost Stories of Old New Orleans Ghosts are said to wander along the rooftops above New Orleans’ Royal Street, the dead allegedly sing sacred songs in St. Louis Cathedral, and the graveyard tomb of a wealthy madam reportedly glows bright red at night. Local lore about such supernatural sightings, as curated by Jeanne deLavigne in her classic Ghost Stories of Old New Orleans, finds the phantoms of bitter lovers, vengeful slaves, and menacing gypsies haunting nearly every corner of the city, from the streets of the French Quarter to Garden District mansions. Originally printed in 1944, all forty ghost stories and the macabre etchings of New Orleans artist Charles Richards appear in this new edition. Drawing largely on popular legend dating back to the 1800s, deLavigne provides vivid details of old New Orleans with a cast of spirits that represent the ethnic mélange of the city set amid period homes, historic neighborhoods, and forgotten taverns. Combining folklore, newspaper accounts, and deLavigne’s own voice, these phantasmal tales range from the tragic—brothers, lost at sea as children, haunt a chapel on Thomas Street in search of their mother—to graphic depictions of torture, mutilation, and death. Folklorist and foreword contributor Frank A. de Caro places the writer and her work in context for modern readers. He uncovers new information about deLavigne’s life and describes her book’s pervasive lingering influence on the Crescent City’s culture today.

“Children should be seen and not heard.” Children were neither seen nor heard in the days of which I write, the days of 1840. They led the simple life, going and coming in their own unobtrusive way, making no stir in fashionable circles, with laces and flounces and feathered hats. There were no ready-made garments then for grown-ups, much less for children. It was before California gold mines, before the Mexican war, before money was so abundant that we children could turn up our little noses at a picayune. I recall the time when Alfred Munroe descended from Boston upon the mercantile world of New Orleans, and opened on Camp Street a “one price” clothing store for men. Nobody had ever heard of one price, and no deviation, for anything, from a chicken to a plantation. The fun of hectoring over price, and feeling, no matter how the trade ended, you had a bargain after all, was denied the customers of Mr. Alfred Munroe. The innovation was startling, but Munroe retired with a fortune in course of time.

Step Back in Time and Experience the Charms of Old New Orleans with Eliza Ripley's Memoir Transport yourself to the enchanting world of old New Orleans with 'Social Life in Old New Orleans: Being Recollections of My Girlhood' by Eliza Ripley. Through the vivid recollections of her girlhood, Ripley offers readers a glimpse into a bygone era filled with romance, intrigue, and Southern charm. Experience the Splendor of Antebellum New Orleans 'Social Life in Old New Orleans' invites readers to step back in time to the antebellum South, where the streets of New Orleans teemed with life, culture, and opulence. Through Ripley's evocative prose, you'll wander through the grand ballrooms of the French Quarter, stroll along the banks of the Mississippi River, and mingle with the city's elite in their stately mansions. From elaborate social gatherings to intimate family moments, Ripley captures the essence of life in old New Orleans with charm and nostalgia. Whether attending lavish cotillions, sampling Creole cuisine, or simply enjoying the company of friends and family on a lazy afternoon, each page is filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of a bygone era. Meet the Colorful Characters of Old New Orleans At the heart of 'Social Life in Old New Orleans' are its colorful characters—aristocrats and artists, debutantes and dandies, slaves and socialites—all brought to life with warmth and affection by Ripley's pen. From her own family members to the colorful personalities she encountered in New Orleans society, Ripley's memoir is populated with a cast of unforgettable characters who will capture your imagination and your heart. Through their stories and interactions, Ripley paints a rich tapestry of antebellum New Orleans, highlighting the complexities of race, class, and culture in the pre-Civil War South. As you follow the ups and downs of their lives, you'll find yourself drawn into a world of passion, intrigue, and drama that feels as vibrant and alive today as it did over a century ago. Why 'Social Life in Old New Orleans' Is a Timeless Classic: Historical Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of antebellum New Orleans and Southern culture through Eliza Ripley's firsthand accounts and vivid descriptions. Captivating Narratives: Lose yourself in the captivating stories and anecdotes of old New Orleans society, brought to life with warmth, humor, and nostalgia. Cultural Significance: Explore the social customs, traditions, and values of a bygone era, and discover how they continue to shape the fabric of New Orleans society today. Personal Reflection: Experience the joys, sorrows, triumphs, and challenges of Eliza Ripley's girlhood through her intimate and heartfelt recollections.Don't miss your chance to experience the splendor and romance of old New Orleans with 'Social Life in Old New Orleans: Being Recollections of My Girlhood' by Eliza Ripley. Whether you're a history buff, a lover of memoirs, or simply curious about life in the antebellum South, this timeless classic is sure to captivate and enchant readers of all ages.

The author, a native of New Orleans, displays his passion for the "French Quarter" of the city in 106 color photographs highlighting Old World architecture, style, and history that has made this section of the city famous throughout the world.

New Orleans jazz thrilled the world in the twenties and traveled around the world in the thirties. In the forties and fifties, the world came to New Orleans to hear authentic New Orleans jazz played by real jazz musicians. The sixties brought Preservation Hall, a musical institution that even a hurricane couldn't kill. For the last 40 years, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been celebrating New Orleans' and Louisiana's unique culture and music. This volume contains rare photographs from the Louisiana State Museum's Jazz Collection, lovingly assembled and accompanied by captions written by award-winning author and Jazz Roots radio show host Tom Morgan. Those who love jazz will be amazed by these pictures of some of the best musicians ever to pick up an instrument. For those just beginning to learn about jazz, this 200-page volume is an excellent takeoff point to learn more about what made New Orleans jazz unique, and a source to discover musicians who can further enhance readers' listening pleasure.

In the 1960s and 1970s, New Orleans experienced one of the greatest transformations in its history. Its people replaced Jim Crow, fought a War on Poverty, and emerged with glittering skyscrapers, professional football, and a building so large it had to be called the Superdome. New Orleans after the Promises looks back at that era to explore how a few thousand locals tried to bring the Great Society to Dixie. With faith in God and American progress, they believed that they could conquer poverty, confront racism, establish civic order, and expand the economy. At a time when liberalism seemed to be on the wane nationally, black and white citizens in New Orleans cautiously partnered with each other and with the federal government to expand liberalism in the South. As Kent Germany examines how the civil rights, antipoverty, and therapeutic initiatives of the Great Society dovetailed with the struggles of black New Orleanians for full citizenship, he defines an emerging public/private governing apparatus that he calls the "Soft State": a delicate arrangement involving constituencies as varied as old-money civic leaders and Black Power proponents who came together to sort out the meanings of such new federal programs as Community Action, Head Start, and Model Cities. While those diverse groups struggled--violently on occasion--to influence the process of racial inclusion and the direction of economic growth, they dramatically transformed public life in one of America's oldest cities. While many wonder now what kind of city will emerge after Katrina, New Orleans after the Promises offers a detailed portrait of the complex city that developed after its last epic reconstruction.