Beauregard-Keyes House, New Orleans

Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was in command of the Confederate army at the First Battle of Manassas, in April 1861. This was the first major battle of the Civil War. Despite the Union's numerical advantage, he inflicted a very bloody defeat on the Yankees. From that point on, it was clear that this would be a long, terrible war.

General Beauregard lived here right after the Civil War, from 1866 to 1868. Later on, the writer Frances Parkinson Keyes moved in here. She stayed for 25 years.

I didn't have the opportunity to go inside. But the house is well-known for Mrs. Keyes' antique collection.

When Le Carpentier, the original owner, built the house — now known as the Beauregard-Keyes House — it also included a side garden on the corner of Chartres and Ursulines Streets. This was unusual even then, for most homes in the French Quarter had gardens tucked away out of sight. Open on two sides, Le Carpentier's garden was described by some at the time as "a jungle." The wife of the second owner, planned and planted a formal parterre garden and enclosed it with brick walls. She had grill windows added so passersby could look in at the a garden. After several years of the property changing hands and sinking into disrepair, the garden was bulldozed to make way for a macaroni factory. In the 1950s, a well-known novelist named Frances Parkinson Keyes assisted in the restoration of the house and garden. The factory building was demolished and the bricks were used to rebuild the garden walls, complete with Madame Merle's grill windows. The design of the new garden was also based on Madame Merle's original plans.

The garden contains various blooms such as magnolias, sculpted boxwoods, pomegranate, roses, Asian Jasmines, Azaleas, Irises, Crape Myrtles, and Day-Lilies. The garden's center features a cast-iron fountain.

Guided tours on the hour from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Closed Sunday and Major Holidays.

Admission --
$5 adults
$4 seniors, students, and AAA members
$2 children ages 6-13
Free for children under 6

Reportedly haunted, this elegant 19th-century mansion was the former home of General P.G.T. Beauregard. Novelist Francis Parkinson Keyes moved in in the 1940's and began restoring it. She wrote 40 novels here, including "Dinner at Antoine's." Admission is $5, and hours are from 10-3, Monday through Saturday.

The Beauregard-Keyes House is a fascinating old raised cottage built in 1826. The house changed hands many times until 1925 when it was threatened with demolition. The fact that Confederate General Pierre G. T. Beauregard lived here after the Civil War aroused the interest of a group of patriotic ladies. They were able to save the house from destruction.
In 1944, the well-known author Frances Parkinson Keyes rented the house and eventually took it over from the ladies' group. A number of her fifty-one books were written here.

Was the residence of Confederate General P.G.T Beauregard who fired the first shot of the Civil War.