Old US Mint in New Orleans to again house jazz collection
The jazz collection that for two decades before Hurricane Katrina was housed in the Old U.S. Mint in New Orleans will be overhauled, updated, and in about two years, moved back into its historic French Quarter home, according to The Associated Press.
The collection includes sheet music, photographs, records, manuscripts and instruments from some of the city's earliest jazz musicians. Among the most prized items in the collection is a cornet once played by Louis Armstrong.
While most of the collection survived Katrina — even as the storm's winds in August 2005 ripped off large sections of the mint's copper roof — some items were damaged from the dampness and lack of proper air conditioning.
After two years and millions of dollars in repairs, the mint reopened in October.
On Thursday, it was announced that the National Park Service will be helping restore the jazz collection, enhance its display when it returns to the mint and help build both indoor and outdoor performance spaces.
"This is an opportunity to reintroduce this collection in a new format and include some multimedia aspects," said John Quirk, who is heading the effort for the park service.
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