One of many beautiful houses on the streetcar line
Ever taken a beautiful ride on the St. Charles Streetcar in the spring? Feeling the cool breeze as you pass the beautiful mansions and monuments of the historic St. Charles area can be a life changing experience. This wouldn’t be possible if 175 years ago, the oldest operating street railway system didn’t become an integral part of New Orleans transportation. The St. Charles Streetcar originally named Carrollton travels over 13 miles and serves as a self guided tour of the famous St. Charles district.
To help celebrate the anniversary of the first ride on the streetcar, WYES and The Tour Guides Association of Greater New Orleans present the WYES St Charles Mansions, Monuments and Memories Tour. This event will consist of part streetcar, part walking tour along the magnificent Avenue of Saint Charles. Participants will receive entry to many notable facilities including mansions, businesses, churches and synagogues in the Uptown and Garden District area, which make up a great rich history running down the St. Charles streetcar line . Each and every step tells a story of what New Orleans has in abundance — love and culture.
Latter Library in Uptown New Orleans
A part of this event will take place at the Milton H. Latter Library, housed in a historic mansion built in 1907. It stood originally as a private residence for owners such as the legendary Marguerite Clark. Along the journey you will also get a chance to gaze at the beautiful stained glass windows and long aisles of St. George Episcopal Church. And you definitely don’t want to miss the former Bultman Funeral Home renovated as a Borders Book Store. Get a chance to get a little look into life and death!
You can’t go wrong with a tour of the Victorian Mansion House of Broel, which also doubles as a dollhouse museum. This beautiful Antebellum home was built in the 1850s. While there, check out the Egyptian linen that is over 2,000 years old. A structure that definitely has my interest is one made of glass and steel, which once perched over Paris at the newly renovated Eiffel Society.
The day wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the New Orleans Opera Guild, which was built in 1865, and offers up 18th and 19th century European and American furniture, artwork and antiques. Being a Loyola graduate, I couldn’t leave out my excitement for the viewing of Holy Name of Jesus Church, which was a part of my life for four years. The beautiful stained glass, memorials and phenomenal architecture was a vision of Fr. John O’ Shanahan, SI, Superior of the Southern Jesuits and began to become a reality in 1886.
If this isn’t beauty overload enough for you, over 18 beautiful places full of history will be available for your sightseeing pleasure.
Time: 10:00am- 4:00pm
Start Location: Latter Library 5120 Saint Charles Avenue
Price: Tickets purchased in advance are $30 for WYES members and groups of 6 or more. For non-members tickets are $35. Tickets purchased day of event are $40.
Contact:504-486-5511
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