Spend the Night in a Bygone Era
BY KIM WELSH
In 18th-century America , the first lodgings which offered a bed and breakfast came into existence . With more travelers than rooms available , locals began renting out extra rooms in their homes to guests . It later became a way for homeowners to make money , and for travelers to cut expenses during the Great Depression . By the end of World War II , several middleclass Americans , inspired by trips to Europe , began establishing their own bed and breakfast services . Today ’ s tourists enjoy the benefits of staying in a home , sharing experiences with locals , and relishing in true hospitality .
Over 140 years , The Lanaux Mansion has changed owners only four times . Most recently , the historic site was run by Ruth Bodenheimer , the gregarious , accomplished New Orleanian businesswoman , as a much-loved bed and breakfast and a living museum for almost four decades . After Ruth ’ s passing in 2019 , her daughter Beth now proudly carries on the legacy of exquisite comfort , inspired by Ruth ’ s love for the house and the one-of-a-kind city of New Orleans . Beth and her mother share the same vision for The Lanaux Mansion : to keep its architecture and historic charm intact while gracefully weaving in modern comforts , such as air conditioning , Wi-Fi , and HDTV , for a perfect French Quarter experience .
Built in 1879 by wealthy attorney Charles Andrew Johnson , the lovely Victorian mansion has played host not only to actors and film crews , but to prominent historical figures , including
4 | The French Quarterly