Preservation Profile: Theodore "Teddy" Pierre, Jr.
Mr. Theodore "Teddy" Pierre, Jr. is more than just a well-known mason in New Orleans. With a Master's degree in architecture from Tulane University, he is an architectural master mason and a historic brick & mortar specialist.
Teddy founded Pierre Masonry, LLC, spending decades preserving the city's fabric through his experience and knowledge of architecture, history, masonry, and more. Inspired by the exceptional craftsmanship of his father, he has continued his rare family tradition of practicing & preserving the lost art of the mason. For over 37 years, his experience, passion, and excellence in architectural masonry have brought much local & national recognition to his work. In addition, his desire to build community & educate the next generation is an inspiration to many.
His deep understanding of the architectural styles of New Orleans together and the diversity within our communities has put him in a position to be an outstanding educator and community leader. In 2004, he founded the "Treasures on the Banquette," a two-day training program for New Orleans public schools student. The program took them on a trip through the city, identifying architectural styles and experiencing hands-on projects with making plaster, mixing mortar and laying bricks. The program was funded by a grant from the Louisiana Landmarks Society, to which Teddy now serves as a member of the board of trustees. Mr. Pierre continues to preserve our city for the future and to educate a new generation of community members.
Preservationist Profile: Emily Ford
Known throughout the region for her tomb restoration expertise and techniques Emily Ford rests between tasks at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery.
Emily uses proper materials and artisanal techniques that serve to provide sustainability and responsible preservation of the tombs, copings, monuments and landscapes of these cemeteries. That body of work, combined with her documentation and public education initiatives, represents a focused and effective commitment to historic preservation that merits public recognition and honor.
Preservationist Profile: Eduin Sevilla
Eduin Sevilla is a member of the 2018 Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation winning team for his welding mastery at the Inn at the Old Jail.
Vacant since Hurricane Katrina and owned by the City of New Orleans in 2010 when named to Lousiana Landmarks Society's New Orleans' Nine Most Endangered Sites, this striking 1902 Queen Anne style structure, which housed a Police Jail and Patrol Center, was a victim of extreme demolition by neglect. In 2013, the building was auctioned to the winning owners, whose plans to turn the property into a bed and breakfast establishment were unanimously approved by the City Planning Commission in 2015.
Preservationist Profile: Frances Swigart-Steg
Frances Swigart-Steg is renovating her Carrollton Victorian home with the help of State Tax Credits. As a visual artist, she specializes in intaglio and relief prints and oil painting with gold, silver, and copper accents. Trained at the Newcomb Art School of Tulane University., Frances embraces traditional techniques and antique printmaking equipment in order to create contemporary images. In the same way, she embraces living and working in a historic New Orleans neighborhood, finding inspiration around every corner.