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COMMUNITY
FOCUS ON PHILANTHROPY
The Laussat Society
As The Historic New Orleans Collection’s first member organization, the Laussat Society plays an important role in fulfilling the institution’s mission to preserve the history and culture of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Gulf South. Established in 2003 with a charter membership of 51 people, the group has grown tremendously over the past decade and has paved the way for expanded involvement in The Collection, said Jack Pruitt, director of development and community relations.
“This year we are proud to report that we have a record number of members,” Pruitt said. “We are truly grateful for their invaluable financial support.”
“Laussat members are incredibly supportive of the history of New Orleans, the history of Louisiana,” added E. Alexandra Stafford, THNOC board member and chair of the society since
2013.
The society was named for Pierre Clement Laussat (1756-1835), who acted as Napoleon Bonaparte’s representative in Louisiana. It was Laussat who formally accepted possession of the colony from Spain in a retrocession ceremony on November 30, 1803. When the United States bought Louisiana, Laussat represented France in the colony’s formal transfer, on December 20, 1803. The Historic New Orleans Collection holds Laussat s personal papers, which he smartly helped to preserve by sprinkling them with cayenne pepper, to ward off pests.
The documents sat in canvas bags in the Laussat family chateau for more than a century, until they were discovered by a researcher in 1973.
The Laussat Society sponsors a specific THNOC project every year, which is announced at an annual gala for Laussat and Bienville Circle members. “The
• PREFECTURE COLOMM.E
Laussat
SOCIETY
Laussat Society’s generous gifts arc designated toward the support ofThe Collection’s ongoing Louisiana-artist educational initiatives and toward the support of our extensive art holdings; our comprehensive archives on individual artists, arts organizations, and art institutions; and renowned series of Louisiana-artist biographies,' Pruitt said. The society has sponsored the publication of THNOC books, such as In Semrtk ofJtilien Hudson: Free Artist of CoUr in Pre—Civil War New Orlemns and A Company Man: The Remarkable Freneh-Atlantic Voyage ofa Clerk for the Company of the Indies, and the acquisition of
artworks, such as a portrait of Marie Althee Josephine d’Aquin de Puech by Jean Joseph Vaudechamp. “Some of our most important projects at The Collection are made possible duough the generosity of members,” fhw said.
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Laussat Gala hostess Julie Breitmeyer (center left) with her daughter, Ashley Nelson (iefi). Limm Society chair E. Alexandra Stafford (center right), and Executive Director Priscilla Lawrence (<^q
l6 The Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly