Third Thursday Lecture

Local author and historian Edward Branley will give a lecture on the Allard Plantation at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and is open to the public.

Allard Plantation refers to the land in New Orleans that became City Park; originally owned by Jean Louis Allard, it grew corn and sugarcane until he lost it for unpaid taxes, after which John McDonough bought it and eventually willed it back to the city, leading to the park's creation and development with landmarks like the Peristyle and Casino

“The land was first cultivated in 1723 by Francisco Hery (Duplanty), who farmed the area near Bayou St. John,” says Branley. “In the 1770s, Don Santiago Lorreins purchased the property from Hery’s estate. His grandson, Louis Allard (1777-1847), inherited it and developed it into a plantation where he grew sugarcane and corn.”

The plantation house fronted Bayou St. John near Bayou Metairie, on land that had once been a Native American village and later became the route of Bayou Road, connecting the bayou to the French Quarter.

“The estate was known for its oak trees, including the famous “Suicide Oak,” later associated with dueling grounds and local lore.”

New Orleans native Edward J. Branley has written five books for Arcadia Publishing, including Legendary Locals of New Orleans and Images of America books New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar Line, Maison Blanche Department Store and New Orleans Jazz. He is a graduate of Brother Martin High School in New Orleans and the University of New Orleans.

Program inquiries should be directed to Chris Smith, Adult Programming, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.