New Exhibition - Unnatural Metropolis:Wresting New Orleans from Nature

LSU Libraries presents An Unnatural Metropolis: Wresting New Orleans from Nature, an exhibition based on the award-winning book by Craig E. Colten, Carl O. Sauer Professor of Geography at LSU. The exhibition opens on Monday, February 5, and runs through June 5, 2007, in Hill Memorial Library on the LSU campus.

The catastrophic flooding accompanying hurricanes Katrina and Rita is only the latest episode in the ongoing struggle between the Crescent City and nature. An Unnatural Metropolis outlines the history of this battle between people and place, illustrating the many obstacles faced by founders and citizens over two centuries. The exhibition documents yellow fever epidemics, flooding, drainage, sewage and sanitation issues that have challenged New Orleanians since 1718. The exhibition also explores the 20th century push to “reclaim” lands from the surrounding swamp for commercial and residential use, which proved to be a major factor in the magnitude of destruction suffered by New Orleans in 2005.

A reception and talk by Professor Colten will take place on Sunday, March 18 at 3 pm in the lecture hall in Hill Memorial Library. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. The library is open 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, and 9 to 1 on Saturdays. When classes are in session the library is open Tuesday evenings till 8 p.m.

Visit Current Exhibitions for more information, or call (225) 578-6544.


Image: View of Lake Ponchartrain, Charles C. Titcomb Collection; Titcomb Picture Collection, Mss. 1795, 2532, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.