History

History of

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is the sacred resting place
of thousands of former citizens of New Orleans.
It is a small, family cemetery laid out in four quadrants.
Located in uptown New Orleans,
it has a footprint encompassing just one city block,
bordered by Washington Ave., Prytania St.,
Sixth St., and Coliseum St.

Lafayette No. 1 was dedicated in 1833 as the cemetery for the town of Lafayette
and later annexed with that town into the City of New Orleans in 1852.
In 1972, it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Lafayette No. 1 is still in active use by families owning plots and tombs within it.
Families have buried loved ones and visited their graves in this cemetery
for generations and continue to do so to this day.

Family Visitors to Lafayette No. 1 in 1800s

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in 1904, from the Times Picayune's Guide to New Orleans.

Designated National Historic Landmark in 1972

TODAY

During recent years, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 has been subjected to accelerated deterioration and tourist overrunning. Visitor counts jumped from about 200 to close to 3000 per day in the last few years. The accompanying disrespect and ghoulish, non-historical tour content, made it increasingly difficult for families burying loved ones and visiting their graves. Despite numerous, but limited efforts over many decades, the overall infrastructure has also continued to deteriorate, and there is no security or on-site personnel to enforce city ordinances. Profit-motivated groups, film and TV crews and those with conflicts of interest have increasingly exploited the cemetery for their own purposes, contributing to its decline and irreverence within it. (See Gallery page)

There is no one group with a singular mission dedicated solely to advocate for this cemetery’s singular purpose - a place to bury the dead and for their remains to rest in peace.

As stakeholders and owners of plots within this cemetery, we have formed Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 Tomb and Coping Owners Association (LCTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, dedicated to the preservation of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1's sole purpose as a sacred resting place for those buried here and for their families to visit in peace and safety. We are additionally committed to educating the public in its accurate history and supporting city officials in their responsibility for its care and protection.

History of​​Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

lafayette cemetery no. 1 tomb and coping owners association

History of

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1