Category Archives: museums

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Shop Historic online

Great selection of maps and books. I can’t speak for the other merchandise…

Shop Online

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Tennessee in New Orleans

One of the most enjoyable weekends for the French Quarter is almost upon us. The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival is a treat for readers, writers, theater-goers, movie buffs, New Orleans historians, mint julep aficionados, good food and talk enthusiasts, and public spectacle lovers (see Stella and Stanley contest).
I have been attending and/or volunteering for over 10 years and find that I add 3-4 useful things to my brain every year, while also enjoying the camaraderie of being with artists of every stripe in one lovely, walkable area of the city.
The headquarters will be at the Royal Sonesta this year with events scattered throughout the old city as always. I am glad to see the Williams Research Center on the venue list; more people need to get through those doors to see their exhibits.
I think the best deal is the weekend literary panel pass, but this year I have added the Southern Rep’s world premiere of 3 one-act plays from Mr. Williams (introduced by Zoe Caldwell), and a master class on Friday morning. Take a sick day to get your artistic health renewed….
http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/

Just look at that face; How can you not want to find at least one thing to attend this year and/or to simply donate to support our brilliant arts community while honoring the legacy of our favorite adopted son?

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Deal of the Day on Groupon

If you are not familiar with Groupon, I encourage you to sign up to receive the deal of the day email. Based on a group of people accepting the deal, you can get up to 75% off very good products and services. It’s a great way to find out about things going on around town, like this groupon today.
$15 for Two Tickets to the Louisiana State Museum’s Winter Art & Antiques Show. Choose from Two Dates.

Most people have no idea there is an antiques show in the French Quarter. Just when everyone thinks you can only get great deals on daquiris and sunglasses, this news comes along just in time.

check out:
http://www.winterartandantiques.com

and the Groupon site itself:
http://www.groupon.com/new-orleans/

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“Romantic Beauregard-Keyes House” (so named in the brochure)

Built in 1826, this center hall raised home was later owned by St. Bernard Parish native General P.G.T. Beauregard.  By 1925, the house (across from the Ursuline convent) was in such disrepair, it was slated to be torn down to be a macaroni factory.  Saved by some nice ladies, it was bought by novelist Frances Parkinson Keyes (pronounce as K followed by “eyes”) who finished it and lived here until a few days before her 85th birthday, passing away  in the back cottage that she had rebuilt as a modern apartment.

She wrote 51 books, most famously “Dinner at Antoines”. She made the old courtyard kitchen into her office downstairs with an upstairs apartment. Interestingly, well-known jeweler Mignon Faget was her first tenant.

A private foundation struggles to maintain the house and side garden.

She liked lots of ice in her tea.

FPK’s published books (top shelf)

tour at house; Nancy in foreground (doing research for her book)