36th Annual Spring Home Tour - May 18, 2008

Magnificent, Historic Homes, Art Market & Music in Park

During this self-guided home tour, visitors will get an inside look at the treasures hidden behind the facades of New Orleans' oldest homes. This year the tour will feature six private residences that are also featured in, New Orleans Architecture: The Creole Faubourgs. In addition to the homes this year, the Den of Muses is opening up thier studios. visitors can see the Krewe Du View den as well as the highly satirical, colorful and dawdy floats.

Along with the tour, there will be an art market in Washington Square Park (700 Elysian Fields) where guests can buy fine art, photography, jewelry, crafts, accessories, mosaics, home furnishings and more from:

Cori Akins • Beatrix Bell • Linda Berman • Larry D. Nevil • Ze Da Luz • Heidi Diekelman • Renee Dodge
Donna Dupre • Joy Gauss • Janice Grimaldi • Kathleen Grumich • Mo Lappin • Bedonna Magid-Wakeman
Devin Meyers • Guy Mitchell • Heather Newell • Caren Nowak • Gila Rayberg • Lauren Thomas
Rashida Ferdinand

While shopping guests will enjoy live New Orleans music from Craig Klein with John Boutte, Andy J. Forest & Washboard Chaz.

This year a new Kids Activity area has been created that will feature lots of fun activities for kids to participate during the Home Tour.

After the celebration in the park, Frenchman will come alive to continue the celebration. There is a great assortment of restaurants, bars and music clubs to enjoy.

The colorful and little-known history of the Faubourg Marigny began in March 1805 when the 20 year old minor, Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville, petitioned the Conseil de Ville (City Council) to allow the subdivision of his plantation located below the Vieux Carré. The request was granted April 19, 1805, and Bernard began selling property in what would become known as a Creole French speaking suburb. Haitian refugees would later populate the area and it would flourish as a center for local commerce.

Today, the unique character of the neighborhood instilled by Bernard Marigny at its founding remains intact in this thriving cultural hot spot for locals from throughout New Orleans as well as visitors who want to take in the sights, sounds and flavors of the neighborhood and its residents—such as those along famous Frenchmen and Franklin streets.

The Annual Home Tour is a chance for folks to get a deeper look at all the Marigny has to offer.

Days Events

10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. - Art Market and music in the park

10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. - Kids Activity Area

11:00 a.m. – Music starts

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.- Tour tickets available in Washington Square Park

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. - Home & Garden Tour

Tickets

Tickets are available in advance (on or before May 16) for $15 by calling 888-312-0812 or at selected locations in the city.

• Café Rose Nicaud, 632 Frenchmen St.

• Cork&Bottle/American Can, 3700 Orleans St.

• Coffea, 3218 Dauphine St.

• Sound Café, 2700 Chartres St.

• Swirl, 3143 Ponce de Leon

• Cole Pratt Gallery, 3800 Magazine St.

• Martin’s Wine Cellar, 714 Elmeer and 3500 Magazine St.

• Plum Home Accessories, 5430 Magazine St.

Day-of-tour tickets are available for $20 in Washington Square Park. When placing phone orders, please leave your full name, number of tickets and a phone number where you can be reached.

Volunteer

We are also looking for people to help. We need:

• House Sitters (volunteers who will watch a house for a 2 hour shift.  12 - 2 pm or 2 - 4pm)
• Volunteers to help set up that day (2 hours shifts: 8:30 - 10:30 am, 10 - 12 pm, 11 - 1 pm, 12 - 2 pm, 1 - 3 pm, 2 - 4 pm).
• Volunteers to man the tickets table (2 hours shifts: 10 - 12 pm, 11 - 1 pm, 12 - 2 pm, 1 - 3 pm, 2 - 4 pm)

(Volunteers get free admission to the home tour.)

If you can help please contact Reg Medellin at 888-312-0812 via email at