Special Tour: New Orleans’ Cultural Leaders and City Park

Join us for a special tour of Metairie Cemetery where we will visit the tombs and mausoleums of over 15 of New Orleans most prominent and esteemed cultural leaders who had the sweeping foresight to make New Orleans’ City Park, established in 1891, as one of the nation’s most engaging and active urban parks in the United States. It continues to evolve, attract visitors and families from New Orleans and the world.

On this tour, you’ll learn more about the importance of City Park, and how it evolved through the years and became an essential part of anyone who lives in New Orleans. We will visit:

1. Sydney Besthoff and wife Walda (who is thankfully still with us) the founders of the New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden, considered one of the best and most comprehensive in the United States

2. Isaac Delgado, Founder of New Orleans Museum of Art

3. Felix Dreyfous – who established the famous bridge near the "Casino,” the red pigeon house by the Dreyfous bridge

4. Harry Batt Sr, who has given us so many wonderful memories with Storyland, the Amusement Park, and miniature train

5. Sara Hyams who donated the fountain and wading pool in front of the Amusement Park.

6. Diana Helis Henry and Adrienne Helis Malvin, who founded the Helis Foundation, which established Enrique Alferez Sculpture Garden, from the Pizzati Entrance on City Park Ave to the Jahncke fountains, Popps Fountain and the Bandstand, the Stanley Ray Playground, the Montleone pythons at the entrance of City Park.

7. Peggy Read who started Friends of City Park , join us as we stroll down memory lane and visit the resting places of numerous City Park donors in Metairie Cemetery.

Book Now through November 1 for early bird rate!

Event Venue

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, United States