Description: The Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley. Completed in 1752, it is also the oldest surviving example of the French colonial period in the United States. Often referred to as the Archbishop Antoine Blanc Memorial Complex, the Old Ursuline Convent also houses the Archdiocesan archives. The building is known as the “treasure of the archdiocese.” Tours begin at the Chartres Street Gatehouse and continue through the beautifully manicured formal garden. Once inside the main building, the first thing to catch the visitor’s eye is the original hand-crafted cypress staircase. The main lodge is filled with dozens of oil paintings of past archbishops, bishops, religious statues and bronze busts. Smaller rooms remind the visitors of the building’s many functions over the years: a convent, an orphanage, a makeshift hospital and later a residence hall for local bishops. Most of the structures were restored and repaired in the 1970s during a $3 million restoration. Behind the main building, there is a peaceful walled courtyard. Here the visitor finds statues that pay homage to founding Ursuline Sisters, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini and Father Francis Xavier Seelos. This area is ideal for prayer and reflection. Also worth visiting is the herb garden in the back of the convent — planted and maintained by esteemed New Orleans chef Horst Pfeiffer of Bella Luna restaurant. The garden was recently featured on “Victory Garden” on PBS. The Old Ursuline Convent is located at 1100 Chartres Street in the historic French Quarter. Tours run Tuesday-Friday beginning at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Weekend tours begin at 11:15am, 1pm and 2pm. Visitors should meet at 1100 Chartres Street in front of the Gatehouse. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students with valid ID. Adult groups of 20 are $4 per adult. Student groups of fewer than 20 pay $2 per student and 20 or more pay $1 per student. Chaperones are admitted for $3. For more information or to schedule an appointment to visit the archives, call (504) 529-3040. |
