Gallier
House Museum
1118
and 1132 Royal St.,
Between
Gov. Nicholls and Ursiline Sts.
(504)
525-5661
Hours:
Tours
begin on the half hour Mon--Sat
10am–4pm; last tour at 3:30pm.
Admission:
$6
adults
$5.25
AAA members
$5
seniors & students
$3
children 8—18
Free
under 8 yrs. old
 Built
in 1857 by leading New Orleans
architect James Gallier Jr., the
Gallier House Museum is one of the
more fascinating townhouses in the
French
Quarter. With its greenish
hue and detailed iron railings,
this famously preserved house
epitomizes 19th-century New Orleans
architecture. Inside is an early
working bathroom, a “passive”
ventilation system, and period
furniture. A gift shop is also
located downstairs.
Aside
from its history and charm, the
Gallier House holds within its
walls a few other, more seductive
secrets -- (at least that’s what
many folks seem to believe down in
New Orleans). For example, many
local tour officials are convinced
that Gallier himself haunts the
eerie dwelling. And the structure
does have a mysterious aura about
it. In fact, the famous author Anne
Rice used this very house to be
the model for the house on Rue
Royal that was home to vampires
Lestat and Louis in Interview
With A Vampire.
Gallier
and his father were prominent
architects in the area. Together,
they designed the Old French Opera
House, the
original St. Charles exchange
Hotel, Gallier Hall, and the
famous Pantalba buildings. So,
whether you are into New Orleans
architecture, historic homes,
ghosts, Anne Rice, or just
cool-looking buildings, the
Gallier House Museum is definitely
worth checking out.
-
By Jim Vance
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