To preserve the Vieux Carré as a national treasure, to maintain its quaint and distinctive character and to achieve in that historic, living neighborhood a quality of life which can be enjoyed by residents, fellow citizens, businesses and visitors.    

• Sponsored and strongly supported the Louisiana State Constitutional Amendment (Sec. 22A, Act of 1936 Legislature) which established boundaries of the Vieux Carre, mandated that its "quaint and distinctive character" not be impaired. Supported its implementation by City Ordinance of 1937 creating the Vieux Carre Commission.
• Obtained decision from the State Supreme. Court (June 1964) affirming the constitutional boundaries of the Vieux Carre as the Mississippi River, Esplanade Avenue, North Rampart and Iberville Streets thus nullifying a 1946 City ordinance that removed certain parts of this area from the protective ordinance. A principal participant in having the Vieux Carre designated a national Historic Landmark, listed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, December 21, 1965.
• Helped to stop a boundary alteration that would have removed significant areas from the federally established boundaries of the Vieux Carre, with the result that the Interior's "re-study" was dropped April 16,1982.
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• Promoting greater public awareness of the cultural and historic values of the Vieux Carre and of the need to maintain a proper balance between commerce for tourists and the needs of residents.
• Fostering and cultivation of greater civic pride by property owners, residents and businesses of the Vieux Carre by encouraging renovation, restoration and maintenance of buildings and open spaces.
• Preserving and promoting the Vieux Carre as a delightful, safe, clean and peaceful place in which to live, work and visit.
• Insisting on enforcement of laws designed to preserve the "distinctive character" of the Vieux Carre, without exception or variances, resorting to the Courts when necessary.
• Prevention of incompatible uses, structures and physical intrusions. Actively seeking the removal of non-conforming structures and property uses.

   

A pioneer organization in the historic preservation movement, VCPORA was organized in the 1920s. The society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation June 8, 1938. Dedicated in its state charter to the "preservation, restoration, beautification and general betterment of the Vieux Carre" (also known as the French Quarter), it has been continuously active in these pursuits for over 75 years. VCPORA is an affiliate of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a member of the Louisiana Landmarks Society, and a member of the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans.  Continued  »