Faculty helps preserve St.Louis No.2 Cemetery

DECember 19, 2024

BY Isabel Berman

Heather Veneziano, Professor of Practice in Historic Preservation, is deeply involved in the ongoing efforts to save St. Louis No. 2 Cemetery in New Orleans. As a preservationist who heads the consulting firm Gambrel & Peak, Veneziano is a notable figure in the field of historic preservation, with a deep focus on cultural heritage sites, vernacular architecture, and deathscapes. Her multifaceted expertise spans socio-economic analyses of burial practices and their impact on collective memory after death. Recently, she also contributed her expertise to creating the Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries, which works to identify and document significant burial grounds across the state that merit preservation and recognition.

St. Louis No. 2 Cemetery, established in 1823, is one of New Orleans' oldest and most storied burial grounds, located just a few blocks away from the French Quarter. This cemetery is renowned for its above-ground tombs, which are necessitated by the city’s high water table, creating a labyrinth of vaults that reflect a rich tapestry of New Orleans’ multicultural history. Over the years, it has become the final resting place for many notable figures, including musicians, politicians, and pioneers of the civil rights movement. The cemetery's architectural and historical significance makes it a critical site for preservation efforts, as it not only embodies the unique funeral traditions of the area but also tells the story of the city's diverse communities and their resilience through the ages.

Veneziano's work in St. Louis No. 2 Cemetery is of vital importance, focusing on the preservation of historic tombs built for now-dissolved society groups. These structures are laden with historic and cultural significance but plagued by structural vulnerabilities exacerbated by natural elements and accidental damages.

After an incident where an SUV demolished part of the cemetery's wall, Veneziano highlighted the urgency of preserving these vulnerable historic sites. She not only assesses structural integrity but also leads initiatives to restore these monuments to their former glory, aiming to revitalize them as focal points of communal memory and heritage. Her strategic approach typically starts with the most at-risk structures, setting a precedent that encourages further restoration efforts throughout the cemetery and demonstrates how targeted restoration can safeguard the cemetery’s historical integrity while inspiring a broader commitment to preserving New Orleans’ unique cultural legacy.