Welcome to the Dead Space

This web site presents the research and recent tomb and site preservation work at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It has been designed and produced by the Architectural Conservation Laboratory and Research Center of the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation at the University of Pennsylvania.

Each level presents multiple pages of information under five topics – History, Maps, Site Thru Time, The Project and Resources. Enjoy,and feel free to contact us with new ideas, corrections or additional information.

A new approach to the care and management of the above ground cemeteries of New Orleans as cultural landscapes is urgently needed to make better informed decisions regarding their preservation and long-term development.

The Graduate School of Fine Arts Collaborative Studio was developed in conjunction with Save our Cemeteries, Inc., the Archdiocesan Cemeteries of New Orleans, the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Fine Arts Departments of Historic Preservation and Landscape Architecture and Tulane University’s School of Architecture/Preservation Studies beginning in September of 2000. The project proposed to address the following objectives:

to develop a model conservation plan for New Orleans’s early cemeteries
to offer education and training on the methodologies employed in this effort
to initiate public outreach activities to publicize the results

Over the past decade, an increased awareness of the complexity of issues required for the interpretation and care of historic and cultural sites has generated new approaches and techniques under the expansive concept of Heritage Management. Formerly termed Cultural Resource Management, the concept has been expanded as a total planning strategy for the documentation, conservation, development and management of all cultural heritage sites, especially cultural landscapes and traditional places. Similarly, federal, state and municipal agencies, and preservation professionals are increasingly exploring new technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS) to aid in the planning and management of cultural and natural resources focusing on current and future use, development and long-term maintenance needs.

The Collaborative Studio sought to develop a model conservation plan through the documentation, recording and analysis of this urban landscape and its context over time. This was realized through a visual mapping and survey of the cemetery coupled with a practical conservation program for the care, development, and maintenance of these unusual necrogeographies. It sought to develop and implement practical technical solutions to the increasing material problems of tomb degradation and loss of place by preparing specific technical and design guidelines for site managers and tomb owners.

In the process of developing and testing these tools, the program also addressed the social and cultural realities through research into past and current uses and associations by different stakeholders using archival research, oral history, and photography. It developed a local public interface by including professionals and community members in the processes of documentation and preservation, thus establishing and re-enforcing connections between communities, heritage and place.

• Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, Office of Cultural Development and Tourism
• Samuel H. Kress Foundation
• Save Our Cemeteries, Inc.
• The Archdiocese of New Orleans
• The Historic New Orleans Collection
• Save America’s Treasures
• The Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania
• The School of Architecture, Tulane University

This project has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior through the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of Cultural Development, Division of Historic Preservation. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior.

This program received Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin or handicap in its federally assisted programs. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240

• Regina Bendix – Professor of Anthropology and Folklore, U.Penn
• Michael D. Boudreux – Director of New Orleans Archdiocesan Cemeteries
• Joan Brierton – SAT, National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Robert Cheetham – President of Aventis, Software Development Advisor
• Eugene Cizek – Coord. Academic Project Advisor, Prof. of Architecture, Dir. of Preservation Studies, Tulane Univ.
• Mary Louise Christovich – Trustee, Save Our Cemeteries, Inc.
• Mary Ellen Eichorn – The Historic New Orleans Collection
• Wayne M. Everard – Archivist, City of New Orleans Archives
• Louise Fergusson – Executive Director, Save Our Cemeteries, Inc.
• Jonathan Fricker – LA Division of Historic Preservation, State of Louisiana
• Bobbie Greene – Director of SAT, National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Sam Green – The Landmarks Foundation, New York, New York
• Fiona Lawless – Program Coordinator, SAT, National Trust
• Alfred Lemmon – Archivist, The Historic New Orleans Collection
• The Historic Preservation Students of Tulane University
• Dorothy Krotzer – Dorothy S. Krotzer Architectural Conservation
• The Louisiana State Museum Library
• Edward Lyon – Army Corps of Engineers
• Ann Masson – Cultural Historian & Preservationist, PRC
• Joseph Patrick Mattera – Photographer
• Dennis Montagna – Historian, Philadelphia Support Office NPS
• Robert Page – Landscape Architect, Dir. of The Olmsted Center, NPS
• Lawrence Salzman – Video Photographer
• Don Swofford – Wood, Swofford, & Assoc. Architects
• Alexi Vranich- Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, U.Penn
• Christa Wilmanns-Wells – Lecturer, Historic Preservation, U.Penn
• Gary A. Van Zante – Curator, Southeastern Architectural Archives, Tulane
• Joe Wallis – National Park Service, SAT Grant Coordinator

Under the direction of Frank G. Matero, Chair, Department of Historic Preservation and Dana Tomlin, Departments of Planning and Landscape Architecture, Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania, these graduate students collaborated to research and map St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, and survey all 700+ cemetery spaces.

• Gwang-Ya Han, Teaching Assistant, City and Regional Planning
• Jennifer Baldwin, Historic Preservation
• Eric Baratta, Landscape Architecture / Historic Preservation
• Claudia Cancino, Historic Preservation
• Lisa Cass, Landscape Architecture
• Shyh-Yueh Chang, Landscape Architecture
• Keunwoo Chung, Landscape Architecture
• Stephen Curtis, Historic Preservation
• Sherry DeFreece, Historic Preservation
• Kathleen Forrest, Historic Preservation
• Daria Gasparini, Historic Preservation
• Lindsay Hannah, Historic Preservation
• Elizabeth Haydon, Historic Preservation
• John Hinchman, Historic Preservation
• Hyun-Jung Kim, Landscape Architecture
• Shiau-Yun Lu, Landscape Architecture
• Melissa McCormack, Historic Preservation
• Heather McGrath, Historic Preservation
• Lauren Meyer, Historic Preservation
• Christine Miller, Historic Preservation
• Judy Peters, Historic Preservation
• Al Parker, Historic Preservation/Real Estate
• Carla Radlosovich-Delcambre, Landscape Architecture
• Molly Sheehan, Historic Preservation
• Pushkar Sohoni, Historic Preservation
• Kyubong Song, Environmental Sciences
• Megan Sorensen, Historic Preservation/Real Estate
• Robert Ware, Historic Preservation/Real Estate.

Historic Preservation Program | Landscape Architecture Program

Since the 1950s, college students pursuing degrees in architecture, engineering, history and related fields have been the backbone of the HABS recording activities.

As part of the Phase 1 project, students in the Preservation Studies program in the School of Architecture at Tulane University prepared measured drawings of selected tombs, under the direction of Eugene Cizek. Participants first collected available archival information on the tombs and those interred. Measured drawings were made according to HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey) standards and conditions of deterioration were documented. See examples here and on their class webpage. The following students participated:

• Jessica Tippens – Bergamini Tomb #12
• Mike Stivers – Musson Family Tomb #232
• Laurie DeVegter – Varney Tomb #322
• Keri Renee Coumanis – Thomas-Hazeur Tomb #330
• Christy Fletcher – McCall-Jones Tomb #340
• Ann Woodruff – Bonabel Tomb #395
• Ann Heslin – John Hampden Lewis Tomb #489
• Charles W. Lesher – Fleitas Family Tomb #605
• Don Bennett – Marigny Family Tomb #606
• Michael D. Ballard, Jr. – Homer A. Plessy Tomb #619
• Joy Ellen Cecere – Claiborne/Lewis Tomb #640
• Erin E. Ammer – Charles Auguste Dehault Delassus Tomb #1200
• Roberto Rincon – Chloe/Dick Tomb #382
• Maria E. Rojas – Bermudez Tomb #35
• Sara Jensen – Locoul Family Tomb #493
• Dayna Castanedo – Bienvenu Family Tomb #521, 220 or 492
• Michelle Bertrand & Rachelle Starr- Front Gate
• Doreen Dennis Babo – Saulet Tomb #46
• Shavon Charlot – Malard Tomb #577
• Pilar Cruz & Leon Geoxavier – Dieu Nous Protege Society Tomb #115
• Michelle Bertrand & Rachelle Starr – Young Ladies Assoc. of St. Joseph #155

Opening comments: HABS/HAER

The Pilot Tomb Conservation Project was used to test treatments, and develop standards and guidelines for the Conservation Plan. The Bergamini, Esteve and Perrault Pilots represented a range of tomb types and conditions.

The Pilot Tomb Conservation Project was led by architectural conservator, Dorothy Krotzer of Dorothy S. Krotzer Architectural Conservation, and Frank G. Matero, Director of the Architectural Conservation Laboratory and Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Project participants in the project included Jane Irvin, conservation assistant, Anthony Henderson, stone carver, Stephen Curtis, University of Pennsylvania, Laura Ewen, Tulane University and Heather Knight, Tulane University. All masonry work was funded by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and executed by mason, Royal Osborne.

The Phase 2 team expanded the database and continued the research and map analysis. Guidelines were published for tomb owners and cemetery management.

Under the direction of Frank G. Matero, Chair, Historic Preservation Program and Dana Tomlin, Departments of Planning and Landscape Architecture, Graduate School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania, the following graduate students finalized the survey and database information, conducted additional research, mapped the cemetery and surrounding urban changes through time, and published the St. Louis Cemetery No.1 Guidelines for Preservation & Restoration:

• Stephen Curtis
• John Hinchman
• Sophie Middlebrook
• Al Parker
• Judy Peters
• Kyu-bong Song

Save America’s Treasures is dedicated to identifying and rescuing the enduring symbols of American tradition that identify us as a nation.
Honor the past, imagine the future.

Save America’s Treasures is a public-private partnership between the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Save America’s Treasures program has three major objectives:

• To stabilize those tombs in a critical emergency condition
• To complete a model restoration of a typical tombscape
• To provide local training in masonry preservation

The Save America’s Treasures (SAT) project is under the direction of Frank Matero, University of Pennsylvania, Ann Masson, Assistant Director, and Dorothy Krotzer, supervising architectural conservator. The SAT project team includes Laura Ewen, Lindsay Hannah, Heather Knight, and Sophie Middlebrook, conservation assistants; Pietro Mangarella and Kecia Fong, conservators; Royal Osborne and Raphael Perrault, masons; Shelby Jones, assistant mason, Anthony Henderson, Patricia Hulin, and Jim Jenkins, artisans; Dan Brown, landscape services, Laurence Saltzman, documentary photographer and Judy Peters, Architectural Conservation Research Center support.

Project funding is provided by Save America’s Treasures, Save Our Cemeteries, Inc., Archdiocesen Cemeteries of New Orleans, University of Pennsylvania and Samuel H. Kress Foundation.

A close-up view of interior tombs

Looking east over Alley 9-L

Looking east from Protestant Section