The Cemeteries of New Orleans
Taught by JR Pepper
JR Pepper is a lecturer, photographer and self described 'professional eccentric'. She holds both a BA and an MA in art history specializing in Surrealism and spirit photography. Her artwork has been seen in various gallery shows and publications including Haunted America: FAQ by Dave Thompson, Vice.com and Musee Magazine. She has spoken at Long Island Convention of Horror, New York Comic Con, Tokyo in Tulsa, The Morbid Anatomy Museum, The Odd Salon, The Dead Ladies Show, Lectures on Tap and is an adjunct art history professor at Brooklyn College. She currently works as digital imaging specialist at The Burns Archive and is a tour guide at Green-Wood Cemetery. Her book Buried Boston: America's Revolutionary Necropolis, documenting Boston's burying ground and cemeteries was released Halloween 2024 and she is currently working on her next publication on the cemeteries of New Orleans.
image credit: Bill Wadman
Location: Prospect Heights Brainery (190 Underhill Ave in Prospect Heights, BK)
The cemeteries of New Orleans are unlike any others in the world. They possess a delicate beauty, reflecting the lives and legacies of the many immigrants who shaped the city.
Drawing on European and Caribbean influences, these “Cities of the Dead” feature ornate tombs and distinctive markers that highlight a rich architectural tradition. From the haunting, tree-lined mausoleums of the Garden District to the weathered, lichen-covered monuments of St. Louis No. 1, they tell the story of a vibrant, multicultural community.
In this talk, JR Pepper will examine these remarkable burial sites, their cultural roots, and the unique preservation challenges they face.
Copies of Buried New Orleans: The Resilient Cemeteries of the Crescent City will be available for purchase.
