The Historic New Orleans Collection held a ribbon cutting ceremony, Tuesday, February 27th, to launch a tricentennial exhibition. French dignitaries, Mayor Landrieu, City Council members, and community partners gathered on Royal Street to usher in the opening.
A light drizzle didn’t keep the crowds away from this outdoor French Quarter Press Conference and exhibition opening. The École Bilingue De La Nouvelle-Orléans fourth and fifth grade choir kicked off the event, following remarks by Mark Romig, the president and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation. “Today we are at the Historic New Orleans Collection to learn about an original new display,” Romig said, “that will help all of us better understand how this city of ours came to be.”
“New Orleans: The Founding Era”includes more than 100 artifacts, like original maps that show the evolution of the city’s footprint. It tells stories of the city’s earliest arrivals, both voluntary and forced, as well as those that were already living on the land. Curator Dr. Erin Greenwald gave a quick tour. “In this case, on loan, are bear paw moccasins” Greenwald said, pointing to a pair of, yes, bear paw moccasins. On loan from a museum in Paris. Greenwald continued that the shoes were created here in Louisiana, and, she added, it’s amazing for something made here to get them back here through customs, but they’re here now.”
I would describe them to you, but that would ruin the surprise.
The exhibit is on view until May 27th, at the Historic New Orleans Collection. The HNOC is a WWNO funder.