Many of the historic above ground cemeteries of New Orleans are now at serious risk through physical deterioration and a loss of historical character.

The Dead Space Project

A new approach to the care and management of the above ground cemeteries of New Orleans as cultural landscapes is urgently needed to make better informed decisions regarding their preservation and long-term development.

The Graduate School of Fine Arts Collaborative Studio was developed in conjunction with Save our Cemeteries, Inc., the Archdiocesan Cemeteries of New Orleans, the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Fine Arts Departments of Historic Preservation and Landscape Architecture and Tulane University's School of Architecture/Preservation Studies beginning in September of 2000. The project proposed to address the following objectives:

• to develop a model conservation plan for New Orleans's early cemeteries
• to offer education and training on the methodologies employed in this effort
• to initiate public outreach activities to publicize the results