Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans

Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans
Name	Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans
Founded	1980
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana
Type	Nonprofit historic preservation

Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans

The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans is a nonprofit organization based in New Orleans, Louisiana, focused on historic preservation, advocacy, and restoration. Founded in 1980 amid revitalization efforts, the organization works within the city’s cultural landscape alongside institutions such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Louisiana Landmarks Society, New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission, University of New Orleans, and Tulane University School of Architecture. Its activities intersect with broader preservation dialogues involving entities like Save Our Cemeteries, Audubon Nature Institute, Historic New Orleans Collection, Vieux Carré Commission, and French Quarter Festival.

History

The organization emerged during a period of increased interest in conserving the architectural heritage of Garden District, New Orleans, Treme, New Orleans, Marigny (New Orleans), Bywater, New Orleans, and Riverbend, New Orleans. Early collaborations linked figures and institutions such as Richard Campanella, Sallie McDonogh, John Reps, Antoine's Restaurant (New Orleans), and Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The center’s formation paralleled national movements with connections to National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Historic American Buildings Survey, and advocacy exemplars like Jane Jacobs and A. Quincy Jones. Over decades the organization navigated post-disaster recovery contexts involving Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Betsy (1965), Deepwater Horizon oil spill recovery dialogues, and federal responses that included Federal Emergency Management Agency programs and National Endowment for the Arts grants. Leadership and advisory relationships have included preservationists, architects, and historians affiliated with Southeast Architectural Historians, American Institute of Architects, Association for Preservation Technology International, and regional trusts such as Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation.

Mission and Programs

The organization’s mission emphasizes safeguarding historic buildings in neighborhoods including Uptown (New Orleans), Irish Channel, Faubourg St. John, Lower Garden District, and Broadmoor (New Orleans). Program areas have interfaced with policy and funding sources like National Park Service, Historic Preservation Fund, Community Development Block Grant, and Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation. Technical services draw upon standards established by Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and professional networks including the American Planning Association and National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. Partnerships extend to cultural institutions such as New Orleans Museum of Art, Louisiana State Museum, Center for Land Use Interpretation, and Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans.

Preservation Projects and Impact

Project work has ranged from individual house restorations in districts like Marlborough (New Orleans) and Central City, New Orleans to larger-scale initiatives referencing cases such as the rehabilitation of properties similar to Hermann-Grima House and Gallier House. The center has documented impacts on property values, cultural tourism proximate to events like Satchmo SummerFest and Essence Festival, and resilience planning in consultation with NOAA and Urban Land Institute. Projects often involve collaborations with contractors, craftsmen, and craft programs linked to institutions like Delgado Community College and Loyola University New Orleans School of Law for legal preservation easements. Preservation casework has engaged with legal instruments traced to precedents from National Register of Historic Places listings and local ordinances enforced by the City of New Orleans.

Education and Outreach

Education programs include workshops, walking tours, and lectures that connect to neighborhoods and landmarks such as St. Louis Cathedral, Casa Clémentine, St. Augustine Church (New Orleans), and vernacular examples like Creole cottages and shotgun houses. Outreach partners have included GoNOLA, Greater New Orleans Foundation, Restore or Rebuild, and community organizations like Broadmoor Improvement Association and Treme Community Merchants. The center’s curricula reference research by scholars affiliated with Louisiana State University, Dillard University, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago while inviting speakers from organizations such as Preservation Massachusetts and Historic Charleston Foundation.

Fundraising and Membership

Funding streams have included philanthropic support from entities like Kress Foundation, Ford Foundation, Getty Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, and federal grantors including Institute of Museum and Library Services. Local fundraising alliances have drawn on donors connected to New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Entergy Corporation, Chevron Corporation, and regional banks. Membership benefits and volunteer programs engage individuals from professional societies such as Society of Architectural Historians, American Institute for Conservation, and civic partners including Rotary Club of New Orleans and Junior League of New Orleans.

Facilities and Collections

The organization maintains offices and resource libraries that house archival materials, pattern book collections, and photographic records relevant to sites like Cemeteries of New Orleans, Lafayette Square, and neighborhood inventories. Collections practices align with standards from Society of American Archivists and conservation guidance by American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. Facilities are situated to serve stakeholders including preservationists, architects, historians, and community members connected to institutions like Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home and New Orleans Public Library.

Category:Historic preservation in the United States Category:Non-profit organizations based in New Orleans