Betty Reid Soskin is the granddaughter of Louis Charbonnet (1869-1924), architect and builder of Corpus Christi Church and School in New Orleans. Ms. Soskin has information and memorabilia about her grandfather that she would like to share with reputable researchers of 19th and early 20th-century African American architecture and material culture, and/or Louisiana history and culture.
Initially, a creator of ornamental iron work, Louis Charbonnet became an engineer, inventor and millwright. His New Orleans business establishment dates to 1893. After St. Louis School was destroyed in a 1915 storm, Charbonnet drew plans for its reconstruction and supervised the project.
To learn more, contact Ms. Soskin cbreaux@earthlink.net
Also see Betty Reid Soskin’s blog!
Photo of Louis Charbonnet Sr. at “The Charbonnets” homepage
ACRAH 