The Wandering Disciple

  Much of the buildings of New Orleans and particularly Jackson Square have quite the history.  The Cabildo is no different. The current Cabildo was built in 1795 after the original one was burned down during the Great New Orleans Fire.  It was originally built to house the Spanish seat of government and the Spaniards ruled from here and later upon transfer to the city of New Orleans, the city council operated from this historic structure.  The Cabildo also served as the Louisiana Supreme Court, a temporary headquarters for the Louisiana State Police and today serves as part of the Louisiana State Museum system. Over its 200 plus year history, the Cabildo was site to many historic moments including the signing of the Louisiana Purchase and the hearing of the landmark Plessy vs Ferguson racial segregation case.  Today you can learn about the history of this building and the region at the museum that is housed here.  (Photo: November 21, 2017)

One of the most prized artifact on display in the Louisiana State Museum, the Napoleon Death Mask attracts visitors to the Cabildo at Historic Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter. The mask is one of only four death masks from Napoleon Bonaparte in existence. It was created from a mold by one of Napoleon’s physicians Dr Antommarchi about forty hours following his death in 1821. In 1834 Dr Antommarchi donated the bronze mask to the City of New Orleans. (Photo: November 21, 2017)