The 1850 House in Jackson Square is one of the most important historic interiors in New Orleans — and today we’re taking a full room-by-room tour of this preserved home, which offers a rare look into mid-19th-century life in the French Quarter and the woman who helped shape it.
In this full 1850 House tour, we step inside one of the most overlooked house museums in Jackson Square, New Orleans. You’ll see how wealth, power, and daily life were expressed through interior design in the 1800s — from formal parlors and dining spaces to private bedrooms and service areas — all set within one of the most influential buildings in the square. The Pontalba Building.
We’ll explore the people who lived here, the design choices that defined New Orleans living in the 19th century, and how this home fits into the larger story of Jackson Square and the French Quarter as we know it today. This tour also highlights the legacy of the woman behind the building — whose vision helped permanently shape the heart of the city.
🏛️ The 1850 House is on the National Register of Historic Places
📍 Filmed in Jackson Square, New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans Gallier House Tour: https://youtu.be/DaYIEiNRzKA
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**CHAPTERS**
00:00 A Hidden House Museum in Jackson Square
00:47 The Woman Who Shaped Jackson Square
03:30 Baroness de Pontalba’s Vision
04:38 Inside the Pontalba Buildings
05:22 Dining Room
07:11 Parlor
08:48 Main Bedroom
11:31 Enslaved & Servant Life in the Pontalba Buildings
12:30 Children’s Bedroom
14:10 Gentleman’s Bedroom
16:06 Courtyard & Kitchen
17:25 Service Wing
18:16 What the 1850 House Really Represents
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15 Comments
I think the 1850's & 1860's were my favorite period of decor and house construction. I love the antiques from this period.
Fascinating!
It's clear you put time, effort and detail in to your productions. Your narration is wonderful, and a refreshing change from the AI culture that threatens to overwhelm true storytelling, history and quality of presentation.
Thank you so much for your hard work and for sharing it with us! Continued success to you, and best of all the good things in the coming new year.
Cheers!
Once again, thank you so much for the detailed tour of this apartment home. The interesting history of this building and the woman who built it is fascinating. You certainly give the most informative tour and history of these beautiful homes. I’m so glad that you acknowledge the staff and all of the work they were responsible for. The staff never seem to get enough credit!
Great episode, I have a very personal
Connection to this era and location. She did a great job in the overall design of the buildings but again it is the iron work on the outside that creates the magic. A peek into yesteryears is always a current affair , I thank you for the beauty and details you share on this platform 🤍
TBH, I was dissapointed with this house, not your presentation, which was excellent as always. I found it hard to envisage the life within, due to the choices of whoever is in charge of this house; too much displaying of odd 'things' ie randomly on the floors or propped up on furniture. Strange things like a baby's crib in what is supposed to me the bedroom of the house's mistress, who was presumably past child bearing age by the time she was living there, judging by having adult age children when she had it built…But mostly, I found the lack of period appropriate wallpaper was very detrimental; it really did not feel right for a home of that time, giving a very stark overall look to the rooms, at odds with hte extra clutter in some of them. it just felt off, imo. The lovely furniture also looked wrong against the white walls and the red curtain fabric and upholstery also did not work with the stark white walls. Some of the large wooden pieces looked like it was just shoved in, cramped up to the next peice without thought….It just did not feel gracious or of the time it was meant to portray. Also not sure about the ghastly busy wall to wall carpetting in that main room. None of it gave a New Orleans type of vibe to me.
Excellent! I've wanted to travel to New Orleans to tour the 1850 House for many years, but have yet to make it there. I am so fascinated by the story of Micaela Almonester de Pontalba. Thank you so much for this detailed history lesson.
I love this museum, thank you for sharing!
I grew up in a home built in the 1850s, Brooklyn, NY. I loved it!
What are the names of the black slaves who actually built, cleaned and maintained this slave house? m
This is Horrible,,, People Being held Against their Will ,,, I don't Care how beautiful the Music is or Your Explanation of the Enslaved,, Was No way of how much Suffering happened to my People, That's being felt by the Descendants today,,, I would Dare to see People Glorifies the Jews Holocaust,,, like they do America Enslavement of Innocent People,,,
The lady talking sounds like Paris Hilton, lol
Wow! My husband and I were born and lived in Algiers, LA (across the Mississippi River from downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter) until we bought our first house in Terrytown, LA in 1981. I did not know this history and its importance. Thank you for sharing this video on YouTube.
I've been to New Orleans many times over the years but only just a few weeks ago I finally got around to visiting this place. I enjoyed it and recommend it. Nice video btw!
Shot four times and didn't die, even of infection? Moved to New Orleans with massive wealth and upgraded everything? Dare I guess she wasn't a wine drinker?
I had to turn off volume to watch even a little of this. The Narrator pronounces her S sounds with a sharp hiss.