Christmas messages with civic pride

When did the practice of sending official City Hall Christmas cards start? No one is too sure, but the New Orleans Public Library archives’ earliest card is from 1954, when Chep Morrison was Mayor. While each card is unique, the ones produced for Morrison and his City Council seem to have the best stories to tell: the cards shown here illustrate a rare snowfall on the city; Christmas tree limbs with images of city landmarks on them and “Merry Christmas” in different languages; and a festive scene in front of Gallier Hall, the old City Hall. Will Mayor Ray Nagin and the current City Council send one out this year? We still don’t know—but we’ll be on the lookout. Happy holidays!

A Christmas card, circa 1954-1956, shows Gallier Hall decorated for the holidays.

Snow falling on Jackson Square was the image used for the 1958 Christmas card.

Christmas card, circa 1960.

 Photos courtesy of the New Orleans Public Library, Louisiana Division, City Archives