[Dixielandjazz] Re: New Orleans and the Jazz Museum

[loerchen2 at aol.com]

 Hi listmates,
 
I went into New Orleans yesterday with a crew of other museum staff.  The damage to the Mint (where the Jazz Museum is housed) looks pretty bad -- the copper roof in is in two huge sections on the ground.  However, actual damage to the collection is minimal.  Only a small part of one storage area was damaged, and most of that material can be salvaged.
 
The exhibit was untouched, as was the majority of the storage.  Bix's piano and Louis' horn are still intact.
 
Unfortunately, due to the storm and other factors, we will probably need to take down the exhibit, and reinstall it a couple of years down the road.
 
The rest of the city looks like a war zone, particularly north of the Quarter.  Where the flood waters were, the grass is all grey and dead.  Massive trees are down, and windows, roofs, and siding are either flapping loose or laying in heaps on the ground.  It doesn't look as bad as the pictures on the news though, and people are already trying to get things back to normal (or as normal as they can be without power and safe water).  Crews are cleaning up debris from the streets, and the French Quarter looks pretty good.  It's very odd without all the lights and tourists, but I think it will come back quickly.  The Palm Court looks completely untouched.
 
Anyway, just wanted to give a message of hope.  And thanks to everyone who has helped the evacuees!  Texas has been really kind to us.
 
Best,
Sue