New Orleans Voices Podcast: Audio Interview with Earl Barthé, Master Plasterer

In memory of Earl Barthé, a legendary and beloved New Orleans master craftsman who passed away on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010.

This interview was conducted on May 30, 2007: Earl Barthé’s family company specializes in historical plastering. Mr. Barthé, a retired plasterer himself, is now a plastering historian. Plaster is in Earl’s blood: The Barthé family has been plastering since 1850. Earl tells us that his father worked on such historic buildings as St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market and the Saenger Theater. "New Orleans is well known for plasterers," Earl says; at one time more plasterers lived in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward alone than in all the rest of Louisiana. LISTEN NOW.

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