Metairie Cemetery

Metairie Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is the final resting place of many notable Americans, including Confederate generals, U.S. Senators, and New Orleans sports figures, such as Charles A. Zollinger, P.G.T. Beauregard, and Ruth McFadden. The cemetery is situated near the 17th Street Canal and the Pontchartrain Expressway, and is surrounded by the City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Many of the cemetery's residents have connections to Tulane University, the University of New Orleans, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

● History

The history of the cemetery dates back to 1872, when it was established on the site of the former Metairie Race Course, which was a popular horse racing track during the American Civil War. The cemetery was designed by Joshua Nichols, a landscape architect who also designed the City Park and the Audubon Park in New Orleans. Many of the cemetery's early residents were Confederate soldiers and officers, including P.G.T. Beauregard, Richard Taylor, and John Bell Hood, who fought in battles such as the Battle of Shiloh, the Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Gettysburg. The cemetery is also the final resting place of Ruth McFadden, a New Orleans socialite and philanthropist who was involved with the New Orleans Opera Association and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

● Geography

The cemetery is located in the Metairie neighborhood of New Orleans, near the 17th Street Canal and the Pontchartrain Expressway. The cemetery is situated on a levee overlooking the Lake Pontchartrain, and is surrounded by the City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art. The cemetery's geography is characterized by its rural cemetery design, with winding paths and landscaped gardens, similar to those found in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn and Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Many of the cemetery's residents have connections to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River, and the Atchafalaya Basin, and were involved in industries such as shipping, trade, and commerce with cities like Houston, Baton Rouge, and Mobile.

● Notable_interments

The cemetery is the final resting place of many notable Americans, including Confederate generals, U.S. Senators, and New Orleans sports figures, such as Charles A. Zollinger, P.G.T. Beauregard, and Ruth McFadden. Other notable residents include John James Audubon, a naturalist and artist who is known for his work on The Birds of America, and Louis Prima, a jazz musician and bandleader who performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The cemetery is also the final resting place of Margaret Haughery, a philanthropist and businesswoman who was involved with the Catholic Church and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Paul Morphy, a chess player who was known for his victories at the First American Chess Congress and the London Chess Tournament.

● Architecture

The cemetery's architecture is characterized by its rural cemetery design, with winding paths and landscaped gardens, similar to those found in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn and Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Many of the cemetery's mausoleums and tombs are designed in the Greek Revival and Italianate styles, and feature intricate sculpture and ornamentation, similar to those found in the Garden District of New Orleans. The cemetery's most famous landmark is the Ewing Mausoleum, a large mausoleum designed by Albert Weibel, a New Orleans architect who also designed the St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo.

● Tourism_and_culture

The cemetery is a popular tourist destination in New Orleans, and is known for its historic significance and its beautiful landscaped gardens. Many visitors come to the cemetery to see the Ewing Mausoleum, the Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier, and the Ruth McFadden Tomb, which are all notable examples of the cemetery's architecture and sculpture. The cemetery is also a popular location for photography and film shoots, and has been featured in movies such as Interview with the Vampire and Double Jeopardy. The cemetery is also home to the Metairie Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving the cemetery's history and culture, and is involved with the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum and the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

● Restoration_efforts

In recent years, the cemetery has undergone significant restoration efforts, including the repair of damaged mausoleums and tombs, and the restoration of the cemetery's landscaped gardens. The Metairie Cemetery Association has worked with the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana to secure funding for the restoration efforts, and has also partnered with organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans to preserve the cemetery's historic significance. The restoration efforts have also involved the work of local architects, engineers, and contractors, including Tulane University and the University of New Orleans, and have helped to ensure the long-term preservation of the cemetery and its historic architecture.