The Historic New Orleans Collection: Preserving the Heritage of the Gulf South
Located in the heart of the iconic French Quarter, The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) serves as a premier museum, research center, and publisher. Dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the broader Gulf South region of the United States, the institution provides a window into the diverse peoples and events that have shaped this unique corner of the world.
The institution was established in 1966 by General L. Kemper Williams and his wife, Leila Hardie Moore Williams. Their goal was to ensure that their extensive collection of Louisiana materials remained intact and accessible to the public for both research and exhibition.
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Key Facts
- Founded: 1966 by General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams.
- Location: Royal Street Complex and the Williams Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Holdings: Approximately 35,000 library items and 350,000 artifacts, including photographs, prints, and paintings.
- Core Mission: Preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South.
- Key Facilities: The Merieult House, Williams Residence, and the Williams Research Center.
The Museum Experience
The Collection operates a multifaceted museum that blends architectural history with curated exhibits. Visitors can explore the Williams Gallery, which hosts changing exhibitions on Louisiana's history, and the Louisiana History Galleries. The museum also features a dedicated shop and the Williams Residence, a house museum that offers a glimpse into the past.
Exhibitions at HNOC cover a vast chronological and thematic range. Topics have included the pivotal Battle of New Orleans, the evolution of New Orleans cuisine, and modern historical milestones such as the Sugar Bowl and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Many of these exhibits are free and open to the public.
The Royal Street Complex
The museum is comprised of several historic structures, each with its own story:
- Merieult House: The main entrance and facility, this 18th-century home sits on land used since the 1720s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Williams Residence: Built in 1889, this Italianate brick house is often called a "hidden house" due to its three surrounding courtyards. It retains the decor and furnishings from the 1940s and 1950s.
- Counting House: Originally a warehouse built between 1794 and 1795 by Jean François Merieult, it now serves as office and event space.
- Maisonette: A three-story service wing dating back to the 1790s that currently houses staff offices.
- Townhouse: A late 19th-century brick building that previously served as a banking house.
- Guillot House: Built in 1788, this Spanish Colonial style home was once inhabited by a young Tennessee Williams.
- Creole Cottage: A double cottage from around 1830. Archaeological digs here in 1991 revealed evidence of French barracks from the 1720s.
The Williams Research Center
Opened in January 1996, the Williams Research Center is housed in a 1915 Beaux Arts style building that formerly served as the Second City Criminal Court and Third District Police Station. This facility makes the institution's massive holdings available to the public via a reading room.
In 2007, the center added an annex, marking the first new construction completed in the French Quarter following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
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Notable Specialized Collections
Beyond its general archives, HNOC manages several world-class specialty collections:
Tennessee Williams Collection
Acquired in 2001 from Fred Todd, this is the largest private collection of Tennessee Williams materials in the world. It includes manuscripts for A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie, unpublished letters, and film scripts. The institution also publishes the Tennessee Williams Annual Review.
William Russell Jazz Collection
This extensive archive traces the development of jazz from New Orleans to cities like New York and Chicago. It contains instruments, records, and materials focusing on legends such as Jelly Roll Morton, Bunk Johnson, and Manuel "Fess" Manetta.
William C. Cook War of 1812 Collection
This collection focuses on the War of 1812 in the South, with a heavy emphasis on the Battle of New Orleans and Major General Andrew Jackson. It includes rare U.S. Army documents and British perspectives on the conflict.
Other Significant Archives
- Clarence John Laughlin Collection: A vast array of photography and film negatives documenting New Orleans and the world from the 1930s to the 1980s.
- Germans in New Orleans: Materials documenting German settlers, including the J. Hanno Deiler Papers.
- Sugar Bowl Archives: Donated by the Sugar Bowl after Hurricane Katrina to ensure the preservation of the event's history.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1966 |
| Founders | General L. Kemper Williams & Leila Hardie Moore Williams |
| Primary Locations | Royal Street Complex & Williams Research Center |
| Total Artifacts | ~350,000 (photos, prints, drawings, etc.) |
| Library Items | ~35,000 |
| Current President | Daniel Hammer |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of The Historic New Orleans Collection?
It is a museum and research center dedicated to preserving and studying the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region.
Who founded the institution?
The collection was established in 1966 by General L. Kemper Williams and his wife, Leila Hardie Moore Williams, to keep their Louisiana materials available for public research and exhibition.
What can researchers find at the Williams Research Center?
Researchers have access to approximately 35,000 library items and 350,000 artifacts, including rare maps, photographs, and specialized collections like the Tennessee Williams and William Russell Jazz archives.
Is the museum free to visit?
Many of the museum's exhibits are free and open to the public.
What is unique about the Williams Residence?
Built in 1889, it is an Italianate brick house museum known as a "hidden house" because it is surrounded by three courtyards, and it maintains the decor from the 1940s and 1950s.