Why do you do what you do? I love building connections between The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) and its wonderful audiences.
What is special about your job and the THNOC? Many things. We are fortunate to work in beautifully restored buildings at 533 Royal St. and 410 Chartres St. We have access to remarkable items from this area’s history: original works of art, authentic government documents, military memorabilia and artifacts up to 300 years old, which illustrate what life used to be like in New Orleans, Louisiana and beyond.
Tell us three things we wouldn’t know about THNOC? 1) THNOC’s archives, located at the Williams Research Center, are free and open to the public. 2) The foundation was established in 1966 and our museum has been open since the ‘70s. 3) THNOC has been publishing original works of nonfiction for more than 30 years.
What are you excited about? We have a diverse and active program. Coming up is our Fine Print Book Club featuring: Creole World: Photographs of New Orleans and the Latin Caribbean Sphere with author and photographer Richard Sexton. Then we host the New Orleans Antiques Forum (July 31-August 3). And this fall we’re planning programming around our exhibition on the “Boswell Sisters of New Orleans.”
What is your favorite exhibition ever at the THNOC? “In the Spirit: The Photography of Michael P. Smith” from 2009. Smith was a native of New Orleans and he photographed brass bands, second lines, jazz funerals and Jazz Fest for decades. His work captures the city’s spark and personality.
The Historic New Orleans Collection: 533 Royal St., 523-4662, hnoc.org
