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Almost a week ago, veteran field parapsychologist and ISPR founder Dr. Larry Montz wanted to use a very unique property for some field testing of the new HD FLIR P660 Thermal Imaging Camera with built-in GPS (retails for $38,000). He was interested in a property that was not known for paranormal activity, but a property that has significant historical and cultural importance to the city of New Orleans. That property is the Degas House and Museum.
The Edgar Degas House and Museum, a New Orleans historic landmark, is located on the grand Esplanade Avenue, just a few blocks away from the French Quarter. I accompanied and assisted Dr. Montz in his field testing of the FLIR P660 which allowed me the fabulous opportunity to check out Degas House outside of excitement that accompanies any one of its many wonderful special events, both private and those open to the public.
What I learned during my visit to the Degas House was fascinating and I know you’ll find it to be so too.
In 1872, during the reconstruction of New Orleans following the Civil War, Impressionist Master Edgar Degas traveled from France to New Orleans to visit and stay in the home of his maternal Creole family, the Mussons. During his residency at the Musson home, he shared the great house with 18 other people. Due to his failing eyesight and the assaulting brightness of the New Orleans sun, Degas used his bedroom as his studio. Degas created 22 
works of art during his time in New Orleans; one of which being the portrait ESTELLE, which was purchased by the Delgado Museum. And most importantly, during this time, Edgar Degas pioneered the Impressionist Movement which changed the art world forever, further making this property an amazing cultural gem. In addition and what should make New Orleans locals proud and peak the interest of tourists, the Degas House is the only home or studio of Edgar Degas around the globe, that’s actually open to the general public.
Today, the original mansion stands as two separate houses, the Musson Home on the left, in which Degas’ former bedroom/studio is still intact, and the Degas House to the right, both sharing a beautiful courtyard in which regularly scheduled cultural events are held. The Degas House restoration has won numerous prestigious awards, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and, is now a member of the AAM – American Association of Museums.
The Historic home and courtyard is also a Bed & Breakfast featuring oversized rooms and luxurious bathrooms. Each room and suite is named after members of the Musson – Degas family. But the Degas House is far more than a B&B, it’s a cultural gem also serving as a very special event venue. In fact, Degas House owner David Villarrubia recently received the Chevalier de Arts en Lettres (knighthood in the French order of arts and letters) for his dedication to the preservation of French culture in New Orleans in a beautiful ceremony conducted on-site. Villarrubia is also the executive producer of the documentary film, DEGAS IN NEW ORLEANS – A Creole Sojourn.
I must encourage you to contact the Degas House and make reservations for an eye-opening tour through the property and its history which is an extra special treat because the tours are actually conducted by great grand niece of Edgar Degas himself!
Now did Dr. Montz find paranormal activity inside the Degas House and Museum? Before I release that information so freely, I suggest you make plans right now to attend the November 4th installment of DUSK at DEGAS – Courtyard Concert Series, featuring the Panorama Jazz Band and/or book a tour through the property, then let me know what you think!
The Edgar Degas House & Museum
2306 Esplanade Avenue
New Orleans / 504.821.5009
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I think a lot of people are not aware of the cultural and historical importance of the DEGAS HOUSE & MUSEUM, but due to the hard work of the owner and other supporters, the word is spreading and I'm happy to be one of many helping to do so!
Excellent point about explaining the photos.
Now I don't sail so much on the technical side, so my explanations surely are not as in-depth as those from the parapsychologist or others who use the thermal technology for non-paranormal applications. But no doubt, you'll get picture (no pun intended).
Thermal imaging is used for a variety of applications, the most common end users are police organizations, military and those searching out industrial leaks (water, gas). The ISPR began using thermal cameras in 1999 to look for and document atmospheric anomalies that may be attributed to paranormal activities (sadly, just after filming the 1999 award-winning ISPR INVESTIGATES Documentary Series).
In the first thermal still above, that is yours truly sitting in the chair. The thermal camera read all of my varying body temperatures and translated that information in bright colors. The temperature guide on the right hand side of the still provides a temperature key (temperature keys change depending on the environment) so where you can see my hands were fairly warm as compared to the atmosphere, my face was hot! The rest of my body doesn't appear to be as hot, but that's only because it was covered in various layers of clothing and shoes.
The next two photos show the outside of the DEGAS HOUSE & MUSEUM and inside the main hall of the DEGAS HOUSE (the MUSSON House is to the left out of view). Once again, you can see variations in temperature of solid objects...note the cars have areas of 'red', indicating that heat was still present.
In the last shot, I was instructed to take off my shoes and walk across the floor. After traveling across the room, the thermal still was taken which clearly displays my walking route. Think about the application in police work. If I had been an intruder in the room, there would be window of time for the police using thermal technology, to actually see evidence of where I walked and what I may have touched.
How cool (or hot) is that?!