Madam John's Legacy

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Madame John’s is an excellent example of Louisiana Creole residential design at the end of the 18th century. Because of its fine architectural character, it has been designated as an official National Historic Landmark. The architectural complex at Madame John’s actually consists of three buildings: The main house, the kitchen with cook’s quarters and the two-story garconniere.
The buildings are separated by an “L” shaped courtyard, with the main house fronting directly on Dumaine Street. The courtyard of today was originally a work space where household chores such as laundry were done. The lot next door, now a tall brick house, was originally a formal parterre (with divided flower beds) garden in the French manner and was also a part of the Madame John’s complex.
The main house at Madame John’s is a two-story structure with the high, double-pitched roof with small dormers associated with Louisiana’s 18th century colonial homes. The ground floor is a solid masonry basement, built of soft brick, stuccoed on the exterior street surface. It served as foundation for the living quarters on the main or second floor and also as a store house and work area for the household.