Abandoned New Orleans - Beyond Bourbon Street

Exploring Hidden New Orleans

Are you an urban exploration enthusiast? Do you want to uncover lesser-known New Orleans treasures while also preserving their historical significance through respectful exploration?

Meet Nathan Norsworthy and Kris Norsworthy, a fearless pair of urban explorers who love to uncover the mysteries of New Orleans’ forgotten spaces.

With Nathan’s passion for unearthing the stories behind these hidden spots, and Kris’ talent for photography, they’ve managed to document some of the city’s most fascinating and lesser-known locations. From abandoned hospitals to eerie cemeteries, these two have seen it all, and they’re here to share their adventures with us.

Urban Exploration

Urban exploration, also known as urbex, involves visiting and investigating abandoned structures and locations. Enthusiasts of this practice value the unique insights and emotional connections that come from discovering the untold stories of these places. Abandoned sites can serve as powerful reminders of the past, provide glimpses into history, and offer a sense of adventure and mystery.

I think exploring abandoned places is like going to a museum, just to see it, to walk around, to photograph it. It’s really just for fun. – Nathan Norsworthy

Resources

Instagram:

Homes of New Orleans and Abandoned New Orleans

Social media platforms enable urban explorers to share their findings and connect with like-minded individuals. Nathan Norsworthy showcases his photography of New Orleans’ architecture and homes on his Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok accounts called Homes of New Orleans.

Kris Norsworthy uses his Instagram account, Abandoned New Orleans, to document his explorations of the city’s abandoned sites.

Through their social media presence, Nathan and Kris have reached a broader audience and fostered communities that appreciate the history and beauty of both active and abandoned locations in New Orleans.

Here’s some other accounts worth following:

www.instagram.com/noladeej

www.instagram.com/sweeterdo

www.instagram.com/new_orleans_ghost_hunter

www.instagram.com/alexconners_

Sponsors

The Historic New Orleans Collection

Support comes from The Historic New Orleans Collection, the city’s premiere history museum, located at five twenty Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter.

Check out their online publication called First Draft. Its’ a combination blog and online exhibition space. hnoc.org/firstdraft

On April 28, 2023 HNOC’s newest temporary exhibit launched. It is about about women’s right to vote. and is titled, “Yet She Is Advancing”: New Orleans Women and the Right to Vote, 1878–1970

The 19th amendment granted American women the right to vote, in 1920, but Louisiana laws effectively disenfranchised Black women.

As many white women began going to the polls and increasing their political participation in segregation-era New Orleans, African American women continued to fight for access to the ballot. From paying their poll taxes to organizing voter registration drives, Black women challenged their status as second-class citizens up to and through the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

This exhibit tells a decades-long story through objects, images, documents, and interactive displays—and through the words of the New Orleans women who for nearly 100 years persisted in their struggle to obtain the vote.

As always, the Historic New Orleans Collection is free. It’s somehow continues to fly under the radar, but should not be missed.

Go to HNOC.org/Visit to plan your trip.

Two Chicks Walking Tours

Long time listeners probably remember the crew over at Two Chicks operates intentionally small public walks (14 guests compared to 28 so half the size of the city ordinance) seven days a week. These experiences are focused in the Garden District and French Quarter neighborhoods.

Two Chicks is also also producing private curated walks for groups sized 1 – 200 when called upon.

While the team is female lead they do have a rooster strutting around and there are tour guides from before the lockdown still on staff.

Find out more at TwoChicksWalkingTours.com.

Thank You

Thanks to Nathan and Kris for joining me today.

I also want to mention out location. We’re at Second Vine Wine on Magazine Street, just off Napoleon Avenue. They are a wine bar that offers wines by the glass, as well as bottles to drink on site or take home. Think of it as a cigar bar but for wine.

Finally, thanks to Joel Sharpton at Pro Podcasting Services for editing the show.

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