Ogden Museum

Over five years ago, the original idea for what was to become the book Missing New Orleans was conceived by Phillip Collier.

Late in the spring of 2005, Collier, a collaborator with The Ogden Museum of Southern Art on graphic and design issues, brought his evolving concept for the book to the Museum. For many reasons, the Ogden Museum offered to publish the book with Collier. A tight deadline was set, and the publication’s team, drawing upon the city’s distinctive archival and research institutions, including The Historic New Orleans Collection, advanced the research, writing, editing and design, work required to complete the book.

Its final proof form was scheduled to be delivered to Brennan’s Printing in New Orleans on Wednesday, August 31, 2005. On Saturday, August 27, with news that a Category 5 hurricane was predicted to make landfall along the Louisiana coastline, the staff of the Ogden Museum executed the Museum’s hurricane preparedness plan. And, like many other residents of the metropolitan New Orleans area, they evacuated the city, taking the final galleys of the book with them for safe-keeping and one last review. Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana and Mississippi coast early on Monday, August 29. Within 24 hours, the original meaning behind the title "Missing New Orleans" changed dramatically.

The book retails at $39.95. Order online or call the Museum Store to reserve a copy (504-539-9614).