The Historic New Orleans, 533 Royal St., New Orleans, has scheduled four events coinciding with its exhibit Furnishing Louisiana: 1735-1835:
- 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 20, a lecture “Historic Finishes,” Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St., New Orleans. Admission is free, but reservations are suggested. Salt Lake City, Utah-based conservator Stephen Shepherd will discuss finishes used on historic furniture, appearing in costume to demonstrate the wardrobe and techniques of a 19th century craftsman.
- 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 12, a demonstration, “Seat Treatments,” 533 Royal St. Admission is free but reservations are suggested. New Orleanian and expert chair caner Mary Cooper will demonstrate different techniques used in crafting the seating surfaces on traditional Louisiana chairs, including caning, corn shuck/rush, split oak and cotton tape.
- 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, a site visit to the LSU Rural Life Museum. Call for a schedule. The cost is $60 per person and includes round-trip bus service, which departs New Orleans at 8:30 a.m. The cost excluding bus service is $30 per person, and these participants will be expected to provide their own transportation. The LSU Rural Life Museum, with more than 30 historic buildings on site, is the perfect place to observe the technology and architectural settings associated with the production and use of early Louisiana furniture. Following a tour, museum director David Floyd will address the group over a jambalaya lunch.
- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 2, the workshop “Bench Making,” 533 Royal St. The cost is $130, which includes materials to craft a small Acadian-style bench. The workshop is limited to 12 participants. Louisiana craftsman Greg Arceneaux will lead participants through the steps involved in building a small traditional bench. Upon registration, participants will be given a short list of readily available supplies needed for the project. Any specialty tools will be made available on site.
To make reservations, register or for more information, call (504) 523-4662 or email wrc@hnoc.org.
The Historic New Orleans Collection
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