The Presbytere

23 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Disasters, Ghost Hunting, New Orleans

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Cabildo, Fats Domino, Hurricane Katrina, Mardi Gras, new orleans, Presbytere, St. Louis Cathedral

The Presbytere flanks the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.

The Presbytere

Originally called the “Casa Curial” (Ecclesiastical House), the Presbytere was built in 1793 to house the Capuchin monks who ran the St. Louis Cathedral. Designed to complement the Cabildo which buttresses the cathedral on the other side, the Presbytere has been used for commercial purposes and as a courthouse. The State purchased the building in 1911 and converted it into a museum. Currently, it houses the “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina & Beyond” exhibit that captures the devastation endured by Hurricane Katrina and the elaborate “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana.” Visit http://www.crt.state.la.us/museum/properties/presbytere/ for more information.

Observations: A stunning art installation of hanging soda bottles reflecting colored light welcomes you into the building. Straight ahead you see the Fats Domino’s piano, recovered following Hurricane Katrina. The “Living with Hurricanes” exhibit is eye-opening for anyone who has never lived in a hurricane-prone area. I especially liked the faded blue jeans with one man’s personal information. He used a Sharpie marker to write his Social Security Number, address, and wife’s contact information just in case he died during the hurricane’s aftermath.

The second floor is festive with an extensive historical analysis of Margi Gras. The collection includes float designs, costume designs, costumes, pageantry, and everything related to the early days of Mardi Gras. Anyone visiting New Orleans should visit. It is well worth the price of admission—which is cheap!

Photographs did not capture any irregularities. My Ghost Radar wasn’t that active either. I would love to go back for a full-on night investigation, though.

The used soda bottles reflecting colored light.

Fats Domino’s piano recovered after Hurricane Katrina.

It’s Mardi Gras every day.

Pere Antoine

16 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Churches, Famous People, New Orleans, Statues and Monuments

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French Quarter, Marie Laveau, new orleans, Pere Antoine, St. Louis Cathedral

St. Anthony’s Garden dedicated in the memory of Pere Antoine.

Pere Antoine

Antonio de Sedella (1748-1829) led the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, commonly known as the St. Louis Cathedral, in New Orleans during the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries. Affectionately called “Pere Antoine,” his ghost is said to haunt the side alleyway beside the church. Further, he was a confidant of the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Three days after his death, Pere Antoine was buried beneath the church he loved so much.

Tucked behind the St. Louis Cathedral is the secluded garden St. Anthony’s Garden dedicated in honor of Pere Antoine. Within the walls stands a statue of Jesus with outstretched arms. At night, the lights illuminate the statue and it appears larger than life against the back wall of the church. It is simply stunning.

Hurricane Katrina knocked the thumbs off of the statue. It is reported that the Diocese will fix the statue once New Orleans is fully healed from the Category 5 hurricane’s destruction.

Observations: We visited the area during the day and on several evenings. It is difficult to bypass the splendor when walking the French Quarter. Orbs of various sizes were captured in numerous photographs. The Ghost Radar picked up many words. Although none of the group witnessed any abnormal anomalies beyond the orbs, the picturesque landscape sparks the imagination. I would love to return and complete a full investigation.