2008 Woodie Awards
Photos reflect Katrina devastation
Central students reflect time spent in New Orleans
Issue date: 1/26/06 Section: News
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by Miranda Wycoff and Kari Soule
Muleskinner
Despite the destruction in other areas of New Orleans, the French Quarter and most of its museums were left relatively unharmed.
Out of the six state-run museums in New Orleans, the Cabildo is the only one open to the public since Katrina.
The Old U.S. Mint, which houses the state jazz museum and important artifacts such as Louis Armstrong's trumpet, was hit the hardest.
According to Harriet Robin, an employee for the state museums, the Mint had part of its copper roof ripped off.
However, she assures the historic jazz artifacts were spared except for a few records.
"There wasn't any significant damage to the collections," said Casey Hill of the Louisiana State Museums. "Office records were damaged in the Mint, but that was about it."
Museum officials say the Mint will not reopen for another one to two years.
Another important historic collection for New Orleans is the Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana exhibit housed in the Presbytere.
According to Hill, the Presbytere and the Mardi Gras display suffered little to no damage. A window was blown out in the building, but nothing else was damaged.
"The Presbytere will be the next state-run museum to reopen in New Orleans, and that is scheduled to happen hopefully before February," Hill said.
According to Hill, the other two museums in New Orleans, the 1850 House and Madame John's Legacy, sustained minor damages like missing roof tiles, but are still facing other issues such as staffing.
"Staffing is one issue that has been a major problem with us as well as at the other state museums in Louisiana," said Ben Kleinper of the Baton Rouge museums. "So many people were displaced because of Katrina, and a lot of people in New Orleans haven't come back yet."
According to Hill, all state agencies are going through a hiring freeze, so they cannot hire anyone to take the place of those who have not returned.
Muleskinner
Despite the destruction in other areas of New Orleans, the French Quarter and most of its museums were left relatively unharmed.
Out of the six state-run museums in New Orleans, the Cabildo is the only one open to the public since Katrina.
The Old U.S. Mint, which houses the state jazz museum and important artifacts such as Louis Armstrong's trumpet, was hit the hardest.
According to Harriet Robin, an employee for the state museums, the Mint had part of its copper roof ripped off.
However, she assures the historic jazz artifacts were spared except for a few records.
"There wasn't any significant damage to the collections," said Casey Hill of the Louisiana State Museums. "Office records were damaged in the Mint, but that was about it."
Museum officials say the Mint will not reopen for another one to two years.
Another important historic collection for New Orleans is the Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana exhibit housed in the Presbytere.
According to Hill, the Presbytere and the Mardi Gras display suffered little to no damage. A window was blown out in the building, but nothing else was damaged.
"The Presbytere will be the next state-run museum to reopen in New Orleans, and that is scheduled to happen hopefully before February," Hill said.
According to Hill, the other two museums in New Orleans, the 1850 House and Madame John's Legacy, sustained minor damages like missing roof tiles, but are still facing other issues such as staffing.
"Staffing is one issue that has been a major problem with us as well as at the other state museums in Louisiana," said Ben Kleinper of the Baton Rouge museums. "So many people were displaced because of Katrina, and a lot of people in New Orleans haven't come back yet."
According to Hill, all state agencies are going through a hiring freeze, so they cannot hire anyone to take the place of those who have not returned.