November 20, 1920: Edgar attends the Harvard-Yale football at Yale. (Harvard won 9-0. He graduated from Harvard in 1906.) On the trip he spends time in New York City where he met Edith by chance, having gone to her apartment to pick up a blind date who happened to be staying with Edith.

A whirlwind romance ensues with their marriage seven months later June 29, 1921. Both Edith and Edgar visit each other’s families in their hometowns in the seven months. Edgar’s business as a cotton broker is in New Orleans so after a honeymoon in England they settle here, a topic discussed prior to the marriage. They buy the first two lots of land on Garden Lane and begin planning their home. They live in a rented house until the home is finished.

September 1, 1922: Edgar Jr is born

1923 – The house at 11 Garden Lane, now called Longue Vue I, is completed and they move in.

July 10, 1924: Audrey is born

May 24, 1926: Philip is born

1935 – They meet Ellen Biddle Shipman; over the next year she designs the Goldfish Overlook, the Pan Garden (off a screened-in porch), the camellia allée towards the Tempietto and augments the existing kitchen garden.

1936 – In June the Sterns begin their 14-month journey around Europe and North Africa referred to as the Sentimental Journey, from a self-published book. Prior to leaving the family makes sure that if they don’t return the land will be used for the public and not private use. In July 1937 the Sterns return home inspired by their recent trip with many ideas of how they can build the dream property.

1938 – Shipman introduces the Sterns to the Platt brothers, and work begins on comprehensive plans for Longue Vue II with the house and gardens being designed together. Also, aware that the impending war will need skilled craftsmen, they begin the task of building as soon as possible in hopes of keeping the knowledge active. A new road, Bamboo Road, is cut through to the West of the property.

1939 – The Sterns buy land to connect their exsisting property to the new Bamboo Road. This allows Shipman and Platts to reorient the site from the Garden Lane entrance to the one we know today. Longue Vue I was moved in June by Abry Brothers Shoring Company. It took about two weeks to move one block from 11 Garden Lane to 1 Garden Lane. The Sterns continue to live in the home for the next three years while Longue Vue II is under construction.

1942 – The second house, Longue Vue II, is complete, and the family move in December. The site now consists of nine buildings, the Main House, Whim House, Playhouse, gardener’s office (Gate House) and residence (Cottage), and four garages. There are four structures, the Loggia, Pigeonnier, Greenhouse, and Lath House. The garden areas are Pine Drive, Entrance Court, Oak Allée, Forecourt, Kitchen Court, Tennis Court and Azalea Walk, East Lawn/East Terrace, Pan Garden, Portico Garden, Camellia Allée, Goldfish Overlook, Walled Garden, and Wild Garden.

1947 – Edith hires Dormon to work in the Wild Garden to advise on the best plantings and plant procurement.

The Sterns use Longue Vue as a private retreat as well as site for public meetings and events to support the variety of causes they worked with.

1959- Edgar passes away at 73 (August 24)

1967 – Spanish Court and Canal Graden, designed by William Platt, and the Yellow Garden, designed by Edith and garden superintendent O.J. Ward, are installed.

1968 – Edith opens the gardens to the public with the help of local garden clubs. And begins researching how buildings and homes are presented as museums to prepare opening to the public. She continues this for the next 14 years.

1978 – Edith moves to the Pontchartrain Hotel so that the home can be converted into a museum. She lives in a suite on the fifth floor.

1980 – In January Longue Vue opens in its entirety to the public. Edith passed away September 11 at 85.