New Orleans

Hi all,
Just writing to let you know I can't make it tonight.I'm in chicago still andwon't get in to NOLA until six. Was supposed to get home last night, I'm sure you all know how that goes. I will see you on wednesday though.
Alec

Mary,

I was unable to attend the membership meeting on May 3rd, but I'm interested in becoming more involved with the local chapter.  Please let me know what the best way to get more info on projects and become involved.  

Thanks,

-Patrick

Due to refurbishings in the Victorian Style after the Louisiana purchase, only a handful buildings in the French Quarter preserve their original Colonial Spanish or French architectural styles, concentrated mainly around the cathedral and Chartres Street. Most of the 2,900 buildings in the Quarter are either of "second generation" Creole or Greek revival styles. Fires in 1788 and 1794 destroyed many of the original French colonial buildings, that is, "first generation" Creole, mostly raised homes with wooden galleries, the last example being Madame John's Legacy, built during the Spanish rule in 1788 and still standing at 632 Dumaine Street. The Ursuline Convent (1745–1752) is the last intact example of French colonial architecture predating the city's transfer to Spain. Of the structures built during the French or Spanish colonial eras, only some 25 survived to this day (including the Cabildo and the Presbytère, in a mixture of colonial Spanish and neo-classical styles).
Two-thirds of the French Quarter structures date back from the first half of the 19th century, the most prolific decade being the 1820s, when the city was growing at an amazing rate. Records show that not a single Spanish architect was operating in the city : only French and American were, the latter gradually replacing the former as Creole style was being replaced by Greek revival architecture in the 1830s and 1840s.  Much of thise cash was invested. Spanish administrators did enforce strict building codes, requiring brick buildings to avoid another fire, but the Spaniards did not directly influence much of the Quarter's architecture. Spanish influence came indirectly with the form of Creole style, which mixed African, French, Spanish and Caribbean borrowings.
From its south end to the intersection with Claiborne Avenue, Canal Street is extremely dense with buildings. Each building, being no larger than half a New Orleans block has a notably intricate facade. All of these buildings contrast each other in style, from Greek revival, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco, to Renaissance Colonial, and one of Gothic architecture. Also there is Postmodern, Mid Century Modern, Streamline Moderne, and other types of 20th century architecture. However, most of these Buildings have lost their interiors because of Hurricane damage and Business renovations.