Urban Enslaved Life - Hermann-Grima House

The house was built in 1831, for German Jewish immigrant businessman Samuel Hermann. Judge Felix Grima and his family then purchased the property in 1850. Prior to becoming a house museum in 1975, the property was run as a boarding house for single women.

Unlike most house museums, this restored French Quarter home centers its tour from the enslaved staff perspective in an urban setting and how it differed from those living on plantation in a rural setting. Our guide was very knowledgeable and invited frequent discussions.

The house became a National Historic Landmark in 1974 and is said to have the only extant horse stable and 1830’s open hearth kitchen in the French Quarter.

Here is what caught my eye.

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The courtyard entrance to the property

Enslaved areas include workrooms

The bedroom area looks nice but it is located on the second floor just above the stoves in the kitchen. The warm temperature combined with the stoves below, make this space very undesirable.

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The open-hearth kitchen on the ground floor of the enslaved quarters

In the rear courtyard with the main house ahead and the two-story enslaved area to the left. The courtyard was both a place to enjoy the outside and gardens as well as a workplace for the enslaved.

Some of the enslaved would have access to certain rooms in the main house.

A look from the rear porch into the courtyard and a view of the two level enslaved quarters.

The center hall in the main house

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Staircase

The first floor rooms are all furnished with period furnishings

The dining room

The food warmer in front of the fireplace in the dining room

The parlor

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The parlor, was used as Madam Lalaurie’s mansion interior in the third season of American Horror Story: Coven.

Looking from the hall into the parlor

The office / parlor

First floor bedroom and bathroom

Today the Hermann-Grima House is managed by The Woman’s Exchange.

What you should know:

• Tickets can be purchased online or in person

• Restrooms are available.

• One hour guided house tour.

• Admission price does not include parking.

Location: 820 Louis Street, New Orleans, LA

For more information: Hermann-Grima House

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