.png)
Philippe Halbert, historian and curator at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, presents during the 2024 Battle of New Orleans Historical Symposium at Nunez Community College. A fresh lineup of speakers and topics is slated for the 2026 Symposium Jan. 9 at Nunez and Jan. 10 at St. Bernard Parish Cemetery.
Nunez Community College announces the lineup of speakers and topics for the 11th Annual Battle of New Orleans Historical Symposium, scheduled for Jan. 9 on the Nunez campus and Jan. 10 at the St. Bernard Parish Cemetery.
Click the link at Nunez.edu to reserve your free tickets for Day 1.
Day 1 of the Symposium will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Student Testing and Career Counseling Center (STCCC) on the Nunez campus. Both days are free and open to the public. The community is encouraged to attend to hear new perspectives and analysis on one of the most important battles in American history, which took place more than 200 years ago in Chalmette.
The STCCC is located immediately off of Paris Road, just north of W. Liberaux Street. Event parking will be concentrated in the AST Building parking lot, which is across Montesquieu Street from the STCCC and the Administration Building.
Day 1 will begin with a friendly sign-in and coffee period from 9 a.m.-9:30 a.m., followed by an introductory overview of the Battle of New Orleans from St. Bernard Parish Historian William de Marigny Hyland.
The first guest presenter will be Bradford Waters, M.D., who will present “Who were the Kentuckians and Tennesseans” from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., providing an overview of the people who came to repulse the British, the overwhelming challenges they faced and their legacy.
Following a short break, Ina Fandrich, Ph. D., archivist for the New Orleans Notarial Archives, will take the podium at 11:15 a.m. to present “Historical Documents Tell the Story.” Dr. Fandrich will cite documents from the Notarial Archives to tell the story of the Free People of Color who participated in the Battle of New Orleans.
A free lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. Guests who plan to eat are encouraged to reserve a ticket from the Nunez Battle of New Orleans Eventbrite page in order to provide an accurate headcount.
At 1:30 p.m. Robert Freeland will resume the lectures with “Renato Beluche: A Hemispheric Hero.” Learn the story of a colorful figure born in New Orleans who became associated with the privateering activities of Jean and Pierre Lafitte.
Hyland will return to the podium at 2:45 p.m. for his presentation, “There Were Incompetents, Traitors and Spies Amongst Us,” spotlighting the Louisianans who were partisans, or believed to be partisans, of the restoration of Spanish rule in Louisiana. Original documents from the Archivo General de Indias in Spain and the Library of Congress, seldom researched, will help to shed new light on the Battle of New Orleans.
After concluding his presentation, Hyland will provide closing remarks for Day 1. But the event continues with a wine and cheese reception until 4:45 p.m. for guests and presenters to discuss the day’s presentations.
Day 2 relocates to the St. Bernard Parish Cemetery at 2805 Bayou Road in St. Bernard from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. to commemorate the lives and legacies of four Battle of New Orleans veterans interred there. Starting around 10 a.m., guests will be introduced to:
- Captain Jacques Toutant, Third Regiment of Louisiana Militia, scouting efforts
- Lieutenant Antonio (Antoine) Serpas, Third Regiment of Louisiana Militia, paymaster
- Private Rocque (Rocco) Acosta, Third Regiment of Louisiana Militia
- Private Joseph Serpas, Third Regiment of Louisiana Militia
