Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann Grima House
Hermann-Grima House
4.8
shellypF1964GP
1 day ago
We walked by the Hermann-Grima House and were intrigued by the offer of an urban enslavement tour. As northerners, we were somewhat familiar with the experiences of enslaved people (house and field) but knew little of the urban experience for people who were enslaved. Being able to discuss how much the wealth of the upper class depended not just on the labor, but on the actual cash value of the people they held in slavery was sobering. Also, seeing the level of surveillance during all of their daily activities showed how difficult their lives were, and how it made escape nearly impossible. Our docent, Katy, was extremely knowledgeable and was able to describe, in detail, the lives of all who inhabited the house. She was able to create a vivid picture of the Grima family, living in high style, eating like gourmets, while their enslaved servants were crammed into small rooms, bathing in public, and working sunup to sundown, with no privacy and little hope for escape. Also, the interior of the home is beautiful, making the contrast that much more blatant.
This restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from those enslaved in rural settings, and how the contributions of people of African descent have shaped New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler voted it one of the best tours in New Orleans and the only tour listed from a museum. We believe that nothing tells a story like a home. In addition, the property’s 19th-century carriage house is home to the The Exchange Shop, originally founded in the 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and one of the oldest women-led non-profits in the South.
Duration1 hourLanguages Available
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Hermann-Grima House820 Saint Louis St, , New Orleans, LouisianaThis restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from those enslaved in rural settings, and how the contributions of people of African descent have shaped New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler voted it one of the best tours in New Orleans and the only tour listed from a museum. We believe that nothing tells a story like a home. In addition, the property’s 19th-century carriage house is home to the The Exchange Shop, originally founded in the 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and one of the oldest women-led non-profits in the South.Duration: Not AvailableAdditional Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Professional Guide
This restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from those enslaved in rural settings, and how the contributions of people of African descent have shaped New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler voted it one of the best tours in New Orleans and the only tour listed from a museum. We believe that nothing tells a story like a home. In addition, the property’s 19th-century carriage house is home to the The Exchange Shop, originally founded in the 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and one of the oldest women-led non-profits in the South.
Duration1 hourLanguages Available
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Hermann-Grima House820 Saint Louis St, , New Orleans, LouisianaThis restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from those enslaved in rural settings, and how the contributions of people of African descent have shaped New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler voted it one of the best tours in New Orleans and the only tour listed from a museum. We believe that nothing tells a story like a home. In addition, the property’s 19th-century carriage house is home to the The Exchange Shop, originally founded in the 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and one of the oldest women-led non-profits in the South.Duration: Not AvailableAdditional Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Professional Guide
Need To Know Info
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4.8
based on Groupon 168 reviews
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shellypF1964GP
We walked by the Hermann-Grima House and were intrigued by the offer of an urban enslavement tour. As northerners, we were somewhat familiar with the experiences of enslaved people (house and field) but knew little of the urban experience for people who were enslaved. Being able to discuss how much the wealth of the upper class depended not just on the labor, but on the actual cash value of the people they held in slavery was sobering. Also, seeing the level of surveillance during all of their daily activities showed how difficult their lives were, and how it made escape nearly impossible. Our docent, Katy, was extremely knowledgeable and was able to describe, in detail, the lives of all who inhabited the house. She was able to create a vivid picture of the Grima family, living in high style, eating like gourmets, while their enslaved servants were crammed into small rooms, bathing in public, and working sunup to sundown, with no privacy and little hope for escape. Also, the interior of the home is beautiful, making the contrast that much more blatant.
Jason_M
I felt the tour was a little more focused on the "masters" of the house than expected. I learned about the house's builder, his financial issues, his wife's wealth, his daughter and her husband, the family that purchased the house and so forth, but not much about the enslaved people other than their economic value. I'd love to have learned more about their humanity and lives and remove focus from the slave owners.
O7579FLsaraj
Our tour guide was absolutely amazing. The tour was very informative and interesting. We learned a lot and the guide made it fun.
Robin M
We visited both the Hermann-Grima House and the Gallier House, which are both run by the Women’s Exchange. Excellent tour with history of both houses but also the history of urban enslavement. A must see when you are in New Orleans
Angela S
I highly recommend this tour. The content of the tour was interesting and our guide was very knowledgeable. The best part is that we went on the second day of our trip and spent the rest of the time in the city noticing things about houses, out buildings, and passage ways that we wouldn’t have understood in the same way.
I’m very glad we chose to do this!