Step into history and explore the remarkable legacy of Longue Vue House and Gardens. Click the images below to journey through the Stern family’s story — from their early years and whirlwind romance to the creation of one of the most extraordinary American estates of the 20th century. Learn how landscape architect Ellen Shipman, along with Edith and Edgar Stern, transformed this estate into a masterpiece of design and philanthropy. Discover how Longue Vue evolved from a private retreat into a public treasure, carrying forward the Sterns’ commitment to education, civic engagement, and cultural enrichment.

1886

January 23, 1886: Edgar is born in New Orleans.

1895

May 31, 1895: Edith is born in Chicago.

1920

Edgar attends the Harvard-Yale football game 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.

1922

Edgar Jr. is born September 1, 1922.

1923

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

1924

Audrey is born July 10, 1924.

1926

Philip is born May 24, 1926.

1935

They meet Ellen Shipman; over the next year she designs the Goldfish Overlook, the Pan Garden (off a screened-in porch), and 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 existing 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 is moved in June by Abry Brothers shoring company.
It takes 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. The Sterns use Longue Vue as a private retreat as well as a site for public meetings and events to support the variety of causes they worked with.

1947

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

1959

Edgar passes away at 73.

1967

Spanish Court and Canal Garden, designed by William Platt, and the Yellow Garden, designed by Edith and then-Head Gardener 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 learns she is terminally ill with lung cancer. She moves out of the house to an apartment at the Pontchartrain Hotel and begins active conversion of the entire property into a museum. She lives in a suite on the fifth floor.

1980

Longue Vue opens in its entirety as “Longue Vue Center for Decorative Arts,” with Edith as unofficial guide for the first several months. Edith passes away September 11, 1980, at 85.

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