The African American Experience in Louisiana

the Charles Adams House would lose some of its ability to convey its significance if it were
relocated away from Grambling State University, while the Emma Grayson House would not
suffer so greatly from a loss of location because the work of the Jeanes supervisor was
widespread.
4. Libraries
Libraries were important accessories to schools in the provision of education. An example of a
library that is potentially eligible for the National Register because of its association with the
African American Experience in Louisiana is the Dryades Street Branch Library (now Dryades
YMCA) in New Orleans (Figure 75). This library built with a grant from Andrew Carnegie, was
the first public library for African Americans in New Orleans when it opened in 1915 and
remained the only one until 1953. It is worth noting that one of the Carnegie libraries of the
same period sat on the same property as the African
American McDonogh No. 6 School, but being a white
library denied access to the students of this sister
institution. For a library to be significant for its
association with this context, it must have an arguable
significance in the history of African-American
education. It need not be a first of its kind as the
Dryades Street Branch, but it must represent a milestone
or significant event within this context. As
neighborhood landmarks, the exterior integrity of
libraries is more important than their interior integrity.
Location and setting are very important integrity factors
Figure 75: Dryades Street Branch Library,
for libraries because of these institutions’ roles in their
New Orleans, Orleans Parish.
communities.
F. Professional and Artistic
Properties with associations with professionals and artists have many different potential aspects
of significance to this context. The offices of doctors, lawyers, architects, and businessmen, and
the work spaces or studios of writers, musicians, painters, and photographers all fit into this
category. There are presently no professional offices or artistic studios listed on the National
Register for their significance in regards to Ethnic Heritage. These types of properties have
potential significance for their association with the challenges African Americans faced in
pursuing professional careers and achieving artistic success. Musicians were particularly
affected by Jim Crow laws which limited the places where they could play and record music,
where they could stay and eat while traveling, and even with whom they could play. These types
of properties can also be significant for the role the professional services played in the
community. For example a doctor’s office like that of Doctor Lowery in Donaldsonville was
likely to be the only place where community residents could receive medical attention (Figure)
(see also Medical). Many times professionals were also important community and civic leaders.
In some cases, the only buildings associated with the productive life or formative years of such
significant persons are residences. This is the case for the influential Civil Rights attorney A. P.
Tureaud. His offices do not survive, so his home is listed on the National Register for its
association with pivotal years of his career (see Political).
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