GENERAL PROGRAMS:
LIFE IN THE 19TH CENTURY
Explore what life would be like without electricity, air conditioning, plumbing, computers, and video games! This general program discusses life in 19th-century New Orleans contrasting it with the 21st century. Topics include slavery, architecture, the research/restoration process, entertainments, education, health, hygiene, food ways, and dining.
Location: Hermann-Grima and/or Gallier Historic Houses
Offered: At Hermann-Grima - September, November, January through August. At Gallier House – September through November, January through May.
Notes: Staff can tailor this tour to any topic being discussed in the classroom or you may choose a theme. Suggestions for focus topics include women’s roles, children’s lives, urban versus rural life, architecture, preservation and mathematics. Please specify any focus at the time of scheduling. Also consider booking your group on a Thursday between October and May to see open-hearth cooking demonstrations or adding a living history component to your tour.
THE URBAN BLACK EXPERIENCE IN 19TH-CENTURY NEW ORLEANS
Tour either museum from the point of view of enslaved individuals and free people of color who were historically documented on the properties. The arrival of African-Americans and Afro-Creoles into Louisiana will be discussed leading up to their role in 19th-century New Orleans and specifically their roles at the Hermann-Grima and/or Gallier Historic House. The relationships between the Creole families, their slaves, and the free people of color living on the property will be examined with reference to documented events gathered from family letters, wills, bills of sale, and runaway slave advertisements.
Location: Hermann-Grima and Gallier Historic Houses
Offered: All year. Please be advised that seasonal tours will influence the discussions.
UNDERNEATH THE FRENCH QUARTER - A HISTORY MYSTERY
Dig into the past and figure out how artifacts and plastered walls can tell us the history of a house and the people who lived there? Students will participate in a mock archaeological dig, view a slide show of the restoration process, and tour the museum. They will learn how historical archaeology and the restoration process uncovered knowledge about the Gallier family and the house in which they lived. Topics include architecture, preservation, restoration, historical research, and archaeology.
Location: Gallier House
Offered: All year except in the month of December
Notes: Please allow 2 hours for this program. Only 12 students can be accommodated at one time. A portion of this program is performed outside in a covered area. Please consider outside temperatures and the comfort of your students when scheduling.
SEASONAL TOURS
“SACRED TO THE MEMORY”: MID-19TH-CENTURY MOURNING CUSTOMS AND RITUALS
On October 15, 1850, Mrs. Albert Grima died in the Hermann-Grima house at the age of 96. During the month of October, the museum is transformed to reflect the funeral and mourning customs of this time period. Vignettes include Mrs. Grima’s funeral in the front parlor complete with wooden casket, mirrors draped in black crepe, and examples of mourning clothing, jewelry and dolls.
Location: Hermann-Grima House
Offered: October
Notes: The Mourning Tour is not recommended for students below the 4th grade level. Please note that for younger students, this tour will be much like the general tour but with acknowledgment of the various mourning-related objects. For older students, the tour will have a general theme with a focus on death, dying, and medicine in the 19th-century, allowing a contrast with today’s customs.
CREOLE CHRISTMAS
The 19th century marks the beginning of many of the Christmas traditions that we still celebrate today. Visit the museums in all of their splendor decorated for the holiday season. Students will learn about the origins of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, stockings, gift giving, and New Year’s celebrations.
Location: Hermann-Grima and Gallier Historic Houses
Offered: December
Notes: Discretion will be used with younger students when discussing the origins of Santa Claus.
KEEPING COOL IN THE 19TH CENTURY
Ever wonder how New Orleanians dealt with the heat of summer and mosquitoes before air conditioning was invented? The Galliers would dramatically change the decor of their 19th-century home in order to stay cool and comfortable during the hot, summer months. Heavy drapery and carpeting would be removed and furniture would be slip covered to promote both physical and mental comfort. General 19th-century lifestyle as well as pest control and medical practices will also be discussed.
Location: Gallier House Museum
Offered: June through August
DEMONSTRATIONS:
OPEN HEARTH COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS
Every Thursday from October through May, the Hermann-Grima House demonstrates food preparation and cooking methods in an authentically restored 1830s kitchen. Our trained cooks use traditional recipes and techniques to prepare menus with appropriate seasonal ingredients. Visitors also learn about the development of the city’s distinctive cuisine – a blend of French, Spanish, African, and Native American cultural influences.
Location: Hermann-Grima House
Offered: Every Thursday, October – May. Additional cooking days are Tuesday, December 6 & 13.
LIVING HISTORY DEMONSTRATIONS
Add lagniappe to your program by scheduling one of three living history demonstrations offered specially to school groups. Choose from 19th-century games, butter churning or natural dyeing. With 19th-century games, students play a variety of period games including Graces and string games. Additionally they will play with historically reproduced toys such as a stereoscope. With butter churning, students will make butter using 19th-century churns and then sample their creation. With natural dyeing, students will discover the uses of common household items such as blueberries and turmeric as well as other exotic items such as indigo and cochineal beetles to dye various fabrics and materials.
Location: Hermann-Grima and/or Gallier Historic Houses
Offered: Year round except in December.
Notes: Program will add an additional ½ hour to your program. Cost is an additional $1 per student |
