Imagine having the ability and resources to change the world? Would you do it? Hi
everyone ken here, welcome to this house. Today we are exploring the
home of a couple who became the very change they wanted to see. Make sure
to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an exciting episode of this house.
Edgar Bloom Stern and Edith Rosenwald were a true power couple in the earlier
part of the 20th century. Edgar was born into a wealthy family,
after graduating from Harvard he quickly climbed to the top of the Cotton Industry
in New Orleans. The area’s elites noticed this cunning young man making ripples in the business
world and invited him to join their clubs, but Edgar was a man of conviction. At this time,
many of the clubs did not allow members to join if they were jewish, so Edgar declined each and
every invitation citing that he could not be involved in an organization which his friends
would not be allowed to join. It was no surprise then that he fell in love with Edith Rosenwald.
She was the daughter of Julius Rosenwald, a renowned philanthropist and part owner of Sears
Roebuck and Company and was known to make waves in the political arena. She had a strong sense of
morality and enough money to fund whatever cause she stood behind. Her parents were close friends
with Booker T Washington who was born into the last generation of slavery. He advocated
for equal rights and sought to dismantle Jim Crow Laws in the south. Edith was inspired by him and
would later organize voter registration for African Americans in the south and
commit 15 million dollars to build 1000 homes for disadvantaged African Americans and freed slaves.
At the time, both Edgar and Edith were considered highly controversial in the
old south and there were groups that hated what they were doing,
perhaps that is why the couple decided to build an imposing structure to communicate their power,
influence, and permanence as they continued their dedication to civil liberties.
In 1924, they built a large home in the center of expansive gardens in New Orleans,
but the house just was not quite right. Edith wanted to see her gardens from the windows,
and the positioning of the house did not allow for the views she so desired. Instead of demolishing
the house, the couple had it moved 100 yards away, having donkeys pull it a few feet per day,
rolling across logs, until it arrived at its new address. Now that the lot was free from the house,
they had a 48 room mansion built in the center of their gardens with each window boasting views
of the landscapes designed by world renowned landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman. The
gardens were laid out to each be unique, some with color schemes, and others with meandering
paths set with pine needles. All together, over 100 species of plants were imported to
the estate to create what was possibly the most beautiful gardens in the united states.
The new mansion was built in the Greek revival style with each façade boasting a different
design. Architectural elements reminiscent of the plantations which once dominated the area
were worked into the details to create a cohesive aesthetic in line with the area’s history. But
unlike the old plantations, this house was cutting edge. It was the first in New Orleans to feature
air conditioning which allowed the architects to create massive interior rooms, laying out
the proportions not to accommodate humid summers, but to allow geometry to guide the design process.
Walking inside, columns flanked a central hall which connected to each side of the
home. A floating staircase was set in the center, sweeping towards to the side. Continuing upwards,
you would arrive at a landing where the stairs continued yet again, floating as they curved
about a domed skylight from with a chandelier dropped nearly 2 stories to light the hall.
Facing the stair hall was the Library. It was finished out in wood panels with
floor to ceiling bookshelves. The fireplace protruded with its upper mantle supporting
a broken pediment above a portrait. The room was furnished with modern
furniture made in the 1940s with lively patterns in the textiles and upholsteries.
The dining room depicted winding flowering trees
on the walls below elaborate millwork and the crystal chandelier sparkled
above the polished wood furniture reflecting warm tones about the room.
The living room offers us a glimpse into the early planning of air conditioning as we can
see vents centered above built ins on either side of the fireplace. Other than this subtlety,
the room was classically styled boasting windows with deep encasements and damask
wallpaper set over floral carpets, akin to the great Victorian homes from an earlier age.
With the gardens meant to be the central focus of the estate, it was no surprise that it even
included a flower room specifically for cutting fresh flowers to place in vases around the house.
There were several other specialty rooms including the play house with double
height ceilings vaulting above exposed trusses.
As we continue through the house, we will notice bits of whimsy tastefully incorporated into
design, such as the swinging bed we are seeing here surrounded by bookshelves. We can Edith
curling up with her favorite books and reading in the gentle sway on a hot Louisiana summer day.
Edgar and Edith hosted many parties in this house as well as charitable events
and fundraisers. It became a think tank for civil liberties activism
and a meeting place for people who wanted to change the world.
Edgar passed away in 1959, but Edith stayed in the house, continuing to hold meetings
to propel the civil liberties movement. In 1968, she opened the gardens to the public for everyone
to enjoy. While guests were picnicking on the lawn, she was busy inside preparing her final
gift to society. She quietly formed a non profit organization to continue the house as a museum
and moved to a modest apartment nearby. As her health began to slip, she opened Longue Vue to
the public in 1980 and oversaw it’s first few months of operation before her passing.
Longue Vue continues to be open to the public for tours and plays host
to various exhibits and creative activities. If you have ever visited, I would love to hear
about your experience down below in the comments section. And while you’re there,
make sure to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an exciting episode of this house.
I would also like to take a moment to say a special thank you to our this house supporters
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