On your left, go between the Gessler and Rusha tombs. Plus, visit the Garden District’s most haunted highlight, the above-ground tombs of legendary Lafayette Cemetery No. Pass several broken tablets on your right, and soon on your left is a massive coping tomb. They settled in this area, mostly in a neighborhood adjacent to the Garden District that is still called the Irish Channel. Enjoy an educational and leisurely stroll through one of New Orleans' most gorgeous neighborhoods on this walking tour of the Garden District. All three sons who survived to adulthood fought in wars – Charles and Alden in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy, and Orris (at age 63!) 1. “Big Daddy” Gisleson  was a prominent attorney, storyteller, and tour guide. Lafayette Cemetery is one of the most popular historic sites in New Orleans, and it is frequently featured on area sightseeing tours. As you walk along this aisle, you will become familiar with some common and interesting funerary symbols, family tombs, and the wall vaults. Sewell tomb on the right. as a permanent tomb for one family (6-8 people). CitySightseeing, the hop-on-hop-off bus service offers a free, 1-hour walking tour of Lafayette Cemetery #1 when you purchase a 3-day bus pass, though the walking tour is included for free with the purchase of the Sightseeing Pass. Continue in this aisle till you can’t go any further, then turn right. In 1866, he and his deputies played a prominent role in a violent race riot at the Mechanic’s Institute in New Orleans, he was removed from office, and a period known as Radical Reconstruction was ushered into Louisiana, resulting in the Union Army occupying this region until 1877. Lafayette #1 Cemetery Private Tour . Immigrants from this region were pouring into New Orleans in the 1820s and 1830s for the same reasons they moved to other American cities – famines, political problems, and religious upheaval. They were pre-fabricated at an ironworks in Philadelphia and sold by Wood & Miltenberger, a local ironworks distributor who also sold gates and fences, iron furniture, coffins, and cast iron for the balconies and galleries that give New Orleans its distinctive look. This is the only cast-iron tomb in this cemetery, although in the Canal Street cemeteries cast-iron tombs are much more commonly seen. The urn containing the ashes of a dignitary of Rome would sit in a place of honor at his memorial service, with his toga and garland draped on it. Before you get to the larger aisle, you’ll see a cement tree trunk on your left and a white tomb (Family Tomb of Robert Ross) on your right. 1 is one of the oldest city governed cemeteries. Turn left in the opening after Bartchy, then right in the main aisle. Step around to the tomb on the left at the end of the aisle (Clerc). Records have been lost or destroyed and sometimes were not well-kept in the first place. The broken or drooping flower is a classic funerary symbol, indicating the ending of a life. See Lafayette Cemetery #1 (not open to the public) and learn about its history from outside the gates. CEMETERY TOUR This 2  hour walking Garden District tour is best enjoyed on foot in order to fully enjoy the exquisite examples of quintessential New Orleans architecture. Lafayette Cemetery Hours and Tours The cemetery is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. except on major holidays. Duration: 1 Hour NOLA VIRTUAL LAFAYETTE CEMETERY TOUR This “city-of-the-dead” is visually and historically alluring. See where Confederate leader Jefferson Davis died, witness the above-ground burial ground at Lafayette Cemetery, and learn about the history of the Garden District from your guide. Face masks required for travelers in public areas, Face masks required for guides in public areas, Social distancing enforced throughout experience. This casual bike ride covers a lot of ground and gives our guests a unique look into the lives of those who first settled there. Our experienced tour guides will lead you through this amazing collection of some of the best preserved mansion homes in the Southern United States. With almost 500 wall vaults the cemetery has a rich history of some of the first settlers from … Take the historic hop on hop off streetcar - at your own additional cost - into the neighbourhoods of New Orleans and beyond the French Quarter. Note that the Rusha tomb has closure tablets on all four sides and lists 36 names. Lafayette #1 is an excellent example of the unique way we bury our departed and explore their elaborate above ground tombs where many of our past mansion residents now lay at rest. The Garden District is an ideal setting for relaxation, great photography, and making connections with the history and culture of New Orleans. Graveyard Shift. Muses, an all-women Mardi Gras krewe, decorates shoes all year to throw in one night during their very popular parade. Walk in this aisle till you arrive at the large Poydras Orphans Rest tomb on the right. Click here to Book Now Book Now Click here to Learn More Learn More $ 25 In a recent survey, “transcribing three-quarters of all legible tablets on the property, approximately 14,000 names were tallied”. Built in 1833 and ripe with ghost stories and the graves of notable New Orleans residents, this Garden District graveyard serves as the final resting place for more than 7,000 people. Notice also the large number of German names and German birthplaces noted on the tombs. It was established in 1833 by the City of Lafayette (which is where it gets its name), and it’s the oldest of the seven municipal, city-operated cemeteries in New Orleans. The eternal flame motif in the fence is another funerary symbol. Just past the Koenig tomb, turn right to walk between the Rice and Born tombs, and then turn left. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, hours and schedules of some businesses and services may be disrupted. The last coping tomb on the right in this row is the Whitely tomb. Go down the aisle you entered between the Gessler and Rusha tombs, and continue in that direction till you reach an open space. Smith (also with upside-down torches). ** Located in Garden District Lafayette Cemetery No. Just off the trolley from the French Quarter, New Orleans’ Garden District is the city’s historical core. Families could pick different styles and sizes and “customize” their own tomb. In-ground burials are unusual and not always advisable in the wet soil of New Orleans, but the earliest Irish and German immigrants were appalled by the custom of above-ground tombs and often chose traditional burial. This historic cemetery takes up one city block. Soon after you pass the Sewell tomb, the recently-bricked Koenig tomb will be on the left. After your historic journey, your Tour Guide is happy to recommend places to eat, drink, and have fun as well as local hangouts, celebrity information, and other fun tidbits for your magical vacation in New Orleans. The Poydras Orphan’s Rest was a home for orphan girls, established in 1817 when a ship of immigrants arrived in New Orleans with 20 orphaned children, whose parents had died during the grueling passage from Europe. On this NOLA cemetery tour, she conveyed intriguing stories about those that now lie there. Listen to in-depth commentary on the area's history and culture from your guide and take the opportunity to ask questions. Tour the legendary Lafayette Cemetery No. Different flowers have different meanings – lily for purity, rose for love and grief, chrysanthemum for honor and sympathy. See a wide range of architectural styles in the elegant Garden District neighborhood then get local tips on the city’s best places to enjoy New Orleans' finest music, food, and drink. Garden District & Lafayette Cemetery Walking Tour. The Garden District / Lafayette Cemetery Tour emphasizes history, architectural style, personal anecdotes, and tropical plant life. VIRTUAL Lafayette Cemetery. Lafayette Cemetery No. This “city-of-the-dead” is visually and historically alluring. There is no natural rock in the soil around New Orleans, so all rock has to be imported. With National Historic Landmarks and stunning homes used in multiple television shows and successful films. We can easily say that thousands have been laid to rest here, and the cemetery holds that many stories. In the Uptown Riverside corner of Lafayette Cemetery #1 in the Garden District of New Orleans, there is a sort of “VIP Section” of four almost-identical tombs that Save Our Cemeteries calls “The Secret Garden.” According to SOC, the tombs were built for childhood friends who formed a secret club called “The Quarto” and wished to remain together in death. Nestled in the heart of New Orleans, the charming Garden District is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the Crescent City. We'll discuss geography, architecture and the folks that made our fabled city in the swamp. The cemetery was named after the city of Lafayette, which was once the area of New Orleans. The wall of the tomb holds in dirt, the tomb goes 2-3 feet below the ground, a casket can be lowered in, and soil can cover the casket. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included. The inhabitants of this tomb were artistic, passionate people who loved everything about New Orleans, including Mardi Gras. The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. One of the most elegant neighborhoods in New Orleans, the Garden District is best explored with the benefit of a private guide to highlights its features and stories. A tour is the best way to see the above ground cemeteries of New Orleans like the Saint Louis Cemetery. The settlers quickly learned that the only way to properly keep their dead in place was to build raised cemeteries, and this form of internment became a New Orleans tradition. Step back in time on this historic walking tour of New Orleans’ Garden District with an experienced guide. It is still city-owned and non-denominational. Maximize time in New Orleans with a sightseeing bus tour. These are the same iconic tiles that spell out the street names on the corners of New Orleans streets. Although the company advertised that the tomb materials were “designed…expressly for the South,” and would not rust, this did not prove to be true and cast iron tombs are rusting all over New Orleans, including the tomb of Mr. Miltenberger himself , who rests in Cypress Grove Cemetery. There are a few local companies who are passionate about authentic preservation of these tombs, and they are meticulous and respectful in their work. Absorb the grandeur and opulence of New Orleans’ Garden District on a historic 2-hour walking tour. Alden died at the age of 84, six weeks after being struck by a truck in 1920. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions. We visit Lafayette Cemetery #1 twice daily as part of our Garden District tour, but if you want to further explore this treasure on your own, this guide will help you learn more about New Orleans’ oldest city-owned cemetery. The area is filled with amazing Antebellum homes with significant historical information. From there it’s a short walk to the cemetery. 1 which the city closed for renovations during a guided tour in New Orleans, La. As you continue on this aisle, notice the Hicks tomb on the left. Secure your spot with ease, stay flexible, and never miss out. The cemetery is the oldest and 3rd largest in the city, and while only a city block in size, it houses the remains of over 10,000 bodies! Traveling on foot means you'll get a chance to know the area much more intimately than you would peering out from inside a glassed-in tour bus. Hear about the above ground burial practices of New Orleans, and join in some gossip about the dead. Coping tombs were the solution when, for religious or personal reasons, you wanted or needed to be buried in soil but you had the misfortune of dying in New Orleans, where the water table is high and in-ground coffins have been known to float to the surface during a flood. The City of New Orleans has begun repairs on 9/9/19, and has not indicated a completion date. Back out of your detour and continue toward the center aisle (the caretaker’s building will be on your left). Smith tomb). The cemetery gets its name from the old city of Lafayette, now part of New Orleans. You can also take our GPS-enabled audio tour anytime the cemetery is open. The new person is then laid to rest in the now empty chamber. Make the next right (at the sign that says “Square 4 Laurel Walk”). Tour The Lafayette Cemetery You will also get a chance to visit the oldest Municipal Cemetery in New Orleans Lafayette #1 the site of filming for many famous movies and TV shows including Interview with a Vampire and Double Jeopardy. This stands for Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization who has several tombs throughout the city  as well as a cemetery of their own. We're creating your account. Here it is. Baby Clara died one year later. You will pass the Naffe tomb on the left. 1 is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. Experience many of the Garden District’s highlights on a comprehensive half-day tour. These volunteer fire departments became social organizations, and the members raised the funds to build their society tombs. There are tree trunks such as this one throughout the cemetery. Carla works for tips and offers a fantastic 30-40 minute laid back, informational and entertaining tour if you're looking to enhance your Lafayette cemetery tour. Turn right when you reach the middle, tree-lined aisle. On the Ross tomb, you will see how poorly marble holds up in our humid climate, and several engraved flowers on the tomb. -Lamb (Stahr tomb): an indication that a child or children are interred in the vault. Check out national museums, historic graveyards, southern Gothic mansions and fabulous local haunts. As you continue on this path, you will see ahead of you a larger aisle with magnolia trees. That cemetery, however, is in such poor shape that it is not open to the public at all. 5 tombs after the large red granite Hagan-Henderson tomb, observe the tomb of William F. Klein, who died in the Chalmette sugar refinery explosion in 1907. Margaret’s tomb features a weeping willow, a symbol of sorrow and mourning, and a lamb, which symbolizes innocence, gentleness, and humility. Read the closure tablet and learn how the Ferguson family lost three children in two days – Sercy, Mary, and Edwin – to yellow fever in 1878. From. 1 Review. as a temporary resting place, until the required year-and-a-day period is up and the deceased can be put in the family tomb . Lafayette Cemetery #1 is the first and oldest municipal cemetery in New Orleans. Quickly access bookings. Lafayette Cemetery is on Washington Avenue in the Garden District. Please try again on the. One of Lafayette’s oldest cemeteries just became the city’s first to be designated as a local historic district. A few tombs past Hayes is another Koenig family tomb. Notice the Celtic cross on the Mullen tomb. It’s a popular attraction, so visit early in the day to avoid crowds. Lafayette Cemetery #1, one of the iconic New Orleans’ above ground “cities of the dead”. Learn about life and death in the city and its unique above-ground crypts and gravesites. 22 year-old Joseph J. Naffe Jr. was killed in World War II and rests here with his family. Children & teens welcome, dietary restrictions accommodated. Established in what was known as the City of Lafayette… Get a customized introduction to this historic neighborhood on a walking tour of antebellum mansions, celebrity homes, movie locations, and more, with a private guide alongside to share insight and answer all your questions. The very next tomb is the impressive society tomb of the Jefferson Fire Company no. 1 is the oldest of the seven municipal, city-operated cemeteries in New Orleans. ), then turn right. White columns, scroll work of a cast-iron fence, or a romantic Romeo and Juliet style gallery. Your tour will conclude at Lafayette cemetery #1, one of the most visited and filmed cemeteries in New Orleans. 22, another volunteer fire department. This one has the cross and crown on the side and a draped urn on top. This is a private tour, feel safe touring safe only with the people you are traveling with. The Koenig family had this tomb built but never used it. 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