Louisiana Humanities Center

ABOUT THE LHC
Since its opening to the public in March 2007, the Louisiana Humanities Center has grown into a nexus for non-profit organizations and other groups in New Orleans. With its state-of-the-art meeting technology and the graceful architecture of Turners’ Hall, the LHC provides a comfortable, sophisticated location to a wide-spectrum of events and gatherings.

The centerpiece of the LEH’s recently completed 5-year Capital Campaign, the LHC hosts innovative programming from the LEH and outside rental clients. Groups including the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Arts Council of New Orleans, Louisiana Speaks, the Tennessee Williams Foundation, New Orleans Public Schools, the Young Leadership Council, the Bureau of Governmental Research, Nike, the Urban Institute, the Louisiana Landmarks Association, the Louisiana Shorts Film Festival, Americans for the Arts, and many others have held meetings, lectures, film screenings, video-conferences, and training sessions in the Center’s facilities. In addition, the Patrick F. Taylor Auditorium is the site of new LEH programming, including the LHC Documentary Series, the “Professors” piano nights, and the “As Told By Themselves” oral history project. Using the many settings within the Humanities Center, PRIME TIME Family Reading hosts training sessions, a meeting of its national board, and a 6-week long Teacher Institute in the auditorium.

Today, the LHC continues to grow and welcome guests with innovative technology and dynamic facilities to meet, learn, and celebrate the humanities and the state of Louisiana.

HISTORY
Turners' Hall is a 141 year-old historic building in the Central Business District of New Orleans. Built in 1868 by the Society of Turners, it was a German Social Hall and the site of weddings, political gatherings, gymnastics events and the like. It is an architecturally significant 30,000 square foot masonry structure with walls eighteen inches thick and 25-foot ballroom windows on the third floor.

The building was totally renovated in 1982-83 by a large health care company. During this time, they created two additional floors within the ballroom by stepping back about 20 feet from the exterior walls to create a central core of offices looking into what is in effect a beautiful atrium on both sides of the building.

In December 2000, the LEH purchased Turners' Hall and occupies about 30% including the entire third floor and the 4th floor offices of KnowLA, the online encyclopedia of Louisiana. The LEH acquired the 30,000-square-foot building and 27-space adjacent parking lot for $1.835 million. Today, the building is fully paid for.

VIDEO CONFERENCING
The LHC offers the latest in Video Conferencing technology, connecting teachers, lecturers, and businesspeople to students, scholars, and clients from across the globe. The Patrick F. Taylor Auditorium and the adjoining 30 seat board room both feature easy-to-use interfaces and camera settings to meet the needs of today’s interconnected world.

For more information, contact LHC Director Brian Boyles at 504.620.2632 or boyles@leh.org.

THE JOHN T. SCOTT COLLECTION
“New Orleans is the only city that I’ve been in that if you listen the sidewalks will speak to you.” —John T. Scott

John Scott was one of those rare artistic spirits who let the “sidewalks of New Orleans” speak to his soul and imagination. Through his singular art, he has left us a visual and artistic legacy that will inspire us for generations. That is why the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has embarked on its mission to make the LEH Humanities Center a focal point for Scott’s art, for no other artist has captured the cultural spirit and complexities of New Orleans and its people as eloquently.

The collection now includes 23 works by Scott, ranging from small mixed-media sculptures to grand streetscapes, a breadth of historical and artistic meaning that truly enhances the spirit of learning and heritage in the Center.

Click here to learn more about the collection. To schedule a tour, contact Brian Boyles at 504.620.2632 or boyles@leh.org.

CONTACT US
The Louisiana Humanities Center offers several dynamic options for meetings of various sizes and purposes. Non-profit organizations receive a discount on rental rates. To view the rate sheet or to take a virtual tour of the spaces, click here. For further inquiries, contact Brian Boyles at 504.620.2632 or email at boyles@leh.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT LHC

Tuesday, Dec. 6th: Claiborne Corridor Improvement Coalition hosts discussion on future of avenue
On Tuesday, December 6th, the Claiborne Corridor Improvement Coalition and the Congress for New Urbanism will hold a discussion of the future of Claiborne Avenue at the Louisiana Humanities Center. Doors open at 6pm for a reception, with the lecture and discussion scheduled for 6:30.

Local experts in community development, planning, transportation, and architecture will present research and reflections on the future of Claiborne. National street design expert Eric Dumbaugh will discuss the Corridor's current design as well as present research on the efficiency and safety of connected street networks. Participants include:

Eric Dumbaugh, PhD, Florida Atlantic University
William Gilchrist, City of New Orleans Director of Place-based Plannign
John Norquist, CNU President and CEO
Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, District C
John L. Renne, PhD, AICP, University of New Orleans
Jonathan Tate, Professor of Architecture, Tulane School of Architecture

The event is free and open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, click HERE.

The LHC is located at 938 Lafayette Street, at the corner of O'Keefe in the Central Business District. Parking is available in the rear of the building.

Also Meeting at the LHC in December
The LHC welcomes Cardea, the Tennessee Williams Festival, and the Bureau of Governmental Research for meetings and events this month.

For more information on renting meeting space at Turners' Hall, click here. We offer discounts for non-profits, as well as video conferencing and a host of state-of-the art presentation capabilities.