 ext door to the Ogden Museum/Howard Library at 929 Camp (it is actually sandwiched in-between the red-colored older library to the left, and the newer Stephen Goldring Hall to the right), is the: - Confederate Museum. It was erected in 1891 for Frank T. Howard, who donated it to the Association of Confederate Veterans, which turned it into a museum for war relics, and a meeting place for the association. It was designed with pressed brick of the same red color as the Howard Library in order to harmonize the two structures together. The elaborate Richardsonian portico and octagonal tower were added later in 1908 by the Stone Brothers. The words "Memorial Hall" are included above the arched entrance, as this was the building's proper name when first constructed. Inside is a beautiful exposed-cypress-beamed hall,
with rows upon rows of glass cases full of Confederate uniforms, battle flags, swords, and guns. Continue down Andrew Higgins Drive. The large beige glass-sided building to your left with the olive drab lettering is the:
National D-Day Museum, opened on June 6th, 2000, the 56th anniversary of the historic D-Day invasion of Europe. The museum was the brainchild of popular World War II author Stephen Ambrose, now deceased, and houses many exhibitions on the war, including restored aircraft, military vehicles, landing craft, and other artifacts donated by war veterans. It is the only museum of its kind in the world, and is well worth a visit. Turn left on Magazine Street, and walk for two blocks back to Julia Street, where you will turn right. One half block further south will get you to the intersection of Julia and Constance Streets. On the opposite corner of Constance is the: Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia.
Occupying the former Great Western Warehouse, built in 1887 for the Loubat Family, the museum is devoted to learning and contains exhibitions tailored for the younger set. Over 45,000 square feet of space is filled with all manner of learning tools like playscapes, labs, and even a simulated television studio. Walk a half-block further to the south and you will get to Tchoupitoulas Street. Turn right and walk for a block and a half, crossing St Joseph Street along the way. The street spits here, so bear to the right. At 923 Tchoupitoulas is the:- Leeds Foundry Building, a Gothic-style commercial building designed by James Gallier Jr and built by Gallier, Turpin, and Company, in 1852. It was constructed for the Leeds Iron Foundry, established in 1825, and is a rare example of the Gothic style in a commercial structure. Construction is of brick, with cast-iron columns and window moldings. The first floor features these columns clustered together with doorways and windows between them. The windows at the second and third levels are of Gothic design, but are
decorated differently. Those on the second floor are squared off at the top and topped with cast-iron cap molding, while the third floor windows have cast-iron hood molds that conform to the shape of the windows. Charles J. Leeds, the president of the company, served as mayor of New Orleans from 1874 to 1876. Turn left here and cross over Tchoupitoulas, and you will see a double street with a "neutral ground" in-between. This area was once the site of famous St Mary's Market, an open air marketplace which served the people in this area of the American section. Walk down the lefthand street, North Diamond Street, named for prominent citizen and entrepreneur Charles Diamond. At number 323 is one of the few remaining houses out of many that once filled this entire area. This:
- St Mary's Market Residence was constructed in the 1800s in the Greek revival style, and features granite piers on the lower level and a cast-iron gallery supported by colonettes. Although altered over the years like many buildings in this area, the house has been restored and preserved.
Coninue south on N Diamond, cross South Peters Street, and continue to Convention Center Boulevard. When you get there you will be facing the overwhelming Morial Convention Center again. During the World's Fair, this section of Convention Center Blvd between Calliope and Julia was the site of the wonderful Wonderwall. Described as "the Great Wall of China as redesigned by the Marx Brothers', it was a whimsical fairytale mall consisting of colorful architectural elements like Gothic windows, Greek temple facades, Roman aquaducts, and art deco ornamentation. All this was topped with ornate domes, turrets and flags reminiscent of the great Venetian renaissance festivals. On a practical note, food, drink, and merchandise kiosks were located along its length (they were discreetly hidden within). Turn left on Convention center blvd, and walk back toward downtown. When you get to Julia Street, turn right and pass through the Riverwalk sign. Walk toward the river under the ceiling fan-lined arcade, and ride the escalator up to the bridge that leads to the:
Riverwalk Marketplace.
Spend some time at this unusual multilevel shopping mall, which occupies a building constructed especially for the International Riverfront Exhibition, a major attraction during the World's Fair, with pavillions of various countries such as France, Egypt, Australia, and Japan. After the fair closed down, developers began to transform the riverfront structure, removing the Liggett and Myers Amphitheatre, a 5,500 seat open air theatre, and expanding the space to include over a hundred stores and a food court. Today it is one of the premier shopping malls in the South. Walk the length of the mall, and when you get to the east entrance, near the arcade that leads to the Riverside Hilton Hotel, keep walking toward the open plaza with the large fountain in the center. Spanish Plaza was created in 1976 as a bicentennial gift from Spain. Paved with mosaic tiles, the sunken circular plateau features a magnificent fountain whose base is inlaid with vibrant Iberian coats of arms, and whose jets of water rise 50 feet into the air.
You may be treated to some live music; musicians use the open space near the river to showcase their talents. You can also get tickets to riverboat cruises and other attractions here. This ends your tour of the Central Business and Arts-Warehouse Districts, and hopefully you have a better picture of the heart of New Orleans now, including its streets and landmarks.
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