New Orleans has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best-preserved historic cities in the United States. A large share of the credit for that reputation lies with the Preservation Resource Center.
Dedicated to preserving the historic and unique architectural character and culture of New Orleans neighborhoods, the PRC has been in the forefront of preservation efforts throughout its nearly 50 years of existence. Thanks to those efforts, countless structures of priceless architectural value throughout the city — not just in the French Quarter — still stand today.
Before touring the city’s neighborhood, sightseers should stop by the Preservation Resource Center to pick up helpful walking tour brochures of New Orleans National Historic Districts, highlighting local landmarks, neighborhood restaurants, churches, theaters and much more. Valuable information on New Orleans architecture and neighborhoods is available at the center.
The PRC’s headquarters building features an extraordinary cast-iron Gothic Revival façade and Gothic-style windows. Designed by the firm of Gallier and Turpin, the building was erected in 1853 as the home to the Leeds Iron Foundry. The Gallier family of architects designed many of New Orleans’ major structures in the middle of the 19th century. The PRC building is on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated as a local landmark by the Historic District Landmarks Commission.