Description:
Located in the Lower Pontalba Building, The 1850 House faithfully re-creates middle-class Creole family life during a period of great prosperity in New Orleans.
The Upper and Lower Pontalba Buildings, which line the St. Ann and St. Peter Street sides of Jackson Square in the historic French Quarter, were built in 1850 by the Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba, the daughter of Don Andres Almonester y Roxas, the wealthy Spanish colonial landowner associated with the neighboring Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral and Presbytere.
Inspired by the imposing Parisian architecture the Baroness favored, the distinctive row houses were intended to serve as both elegant residences and fine retail establishments. In 1921 the Pontalba family sold the Lower Pontalba Building to philanthropist William Ratcliff Irby, who subsequently bequeathed it to the State Museum in 1927.
To illustrate the landmark's historical significance, the Louisiana State Museum has re-created what one of the residences would have looked like during the Antebellum era when the Baroness de Pontalba first established residence in the French Quarter. Faithfully furnished with everyday domestic goods, lovely decorative arts and art of the period, The 1850 House depicts middle class Creole family life during one of the most prosperous periods in New Orleans' history.
Limited docent and curator-led tours are available, as is self-directed viewing.
The Museum gift shop, operated by the Friends of the Cabildo, is located on the first floor of The 1850 House, offering a wide array of New Orleans and Louisiana literature, handcrafted jewelry, and more.
The 1850 House is only one of many historic Louisiana State Museum properties in New Orleans. Also located on Jackson Square are the Presbytere and the Cabildo. Madame John's Legacy is located nearby at 632 Dumaine and the Old U.S. Mint is located at 400 Esplanade Avenue, at the foot of the French Quarter.
Admission to The 1850 House and Madame John's Legacy is $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens, students, and active military. Admission to the Cabildo/Arsenal, Presbytere and Old U.S. Mint is $5 for adults and $4 for senior citizens, students, and active military. Children under 12 are admitted free to all sites. School groups are free, but reservations are required. Combination tickets for two or more sites receive a 20% discount, and group discounts are also available.
The 1850 House is not available for rental for private functions. All other museums in the LSM complex are.
For more information, call 1 (800) 568-6968 or visit lsm.crt.state.la.us.
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