In 1857, esteemed New Orleans architect, James Gallier, Jr., put his considerable talent to work designing a residence of his own. GALLIER HOUSE is an outstanding example of accurate and comprehensive historic restoration of one of New Orleans’ loveliest and time-honored landmarks.

In the mid-19th century, Gallier was one of New Orleans’ most prominent architects. His design work found an enthusiastic audience of civic leaders, businessmen, and affluent families. You will enjoy a stroll through Gallier’s elegant Victorian home, restored to reflect the lifestyle of a successful urban designer in pre-Civil War New Orleans.

James Gallier, Jr., his wife, Algae Villavaso, and their four young daughters moved into the Creole townhouse with four enslaved workers in 1860 on the brink of the Civil War.  Our story spans the heartbreaking era of a nation in crisis, freedom and opportunity – through the eyes of a hopeful, young family.

Gallier’s fascinating innovations in engineering and architecture are featured throughout the property.  You will marvel at the earliest of conveniences that we take for granted today.  Gallier’s architectural vision demonstrated remarkable foresight to battle the challenges of a tropical climate.

We invite you to experience with us the story of this architectural jewel.  Our walk through time includes a masterfully restored historic garden, elegant carriageway, and restored slave quarters in addition to the Gallier family’s furnished home.

Prior to the Civil War, prosperous Creole families enjoyed an elegant lifestyle in the Vieux Carré. A walk through this meticulously restored residence and gardens allow you a view of historic New Orleans.  The early decades of the 1800s were the Golden Age of our city, an era of wealth and prosperity, lavish lifestyles, which drew people from all over the world with dreams and goals of financial opportunity and success in a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city.

Built in 1831, by a German Jewish immigrant, Samuel Hermann, who amassed his fortune in the cotton market, HERMANN-GRIMA HOUSE is one of the most significant residences in New Orleans. This handsome Federal mansion with its courtyard garden boasts the only horse stable and functional 1830s outdoor kitchen in the French Quarter.  The outdoor hearth kitchen, with its view of the antique roses, citrus and parterre gardens, provides a dynamic experience for our visitors.

Visitors are fascinated to learn that Hermann originally purchased the St Louis property from a Free Woman of Color.  The home celebrates the tradition of artistic contributions and legendary building trades of Free People of Color, without whom, the Hermann-Grima House would not stand today.  Our guest experiences honor the diversity of people who resided on and worked in the property for generations.

Economic downturns caused the Hermanns to lose the property in bankruptcy a few short years afterwards.  Afterwards, the prominent scholar and jurist, Judge Felix Grima acquired the estate.  He and his wife, Adelaide Montegut, along with their nine children and several extended family members resided on the property.  Other than the years that the Grimas spent in heartbreaking exile from their beloved New Orleans during the Civil War, the family made their home on St. Louis Street until 1922.

Painstakingly restored to its original splendor through archaeological studies and careful review of the building contract and inventories, the museum complex accurately depicts the gracious lifestyle of prosperous Creole families in 19th Century New Orleans.