New Orleans Antiques Forum celebrates two bicentennials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Teresa Devlin
The Historic New Orleans Collection
(504) 598-7170
teresad@hnoc.org

Vicki Voelker
Gambel Communications
(504) 324-4242
vicki@gambelpr.com

New Orleans Antiques Forum celebrates two bicentennials
Registration for fifth annual event opens Friday, June 1; forum will be held August 2-5

WHO: The Historic New Orleans Collection

WHAT: 2012 New Orleans Antiques Forum, "Circa 1812"

WHEN: Thursday, August 2-Sunday, August 5, 2012

Thursday, August 2: Two optional preconference tours (separate registration required):
Walking tour of the French Quarter, 8:30-10 a.m., or
Day trip to St. Francisville, La., 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.*
*This is the anticipated time of return; the actual time may vary.
Friday, August 3: Registration, 8:30 a.m.
Sessions, 9:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Reception, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 4: Registration, 8 a.m.
Sessions, 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Sunday, August 5: Sessions, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Optional brunch (separate registration required), 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: All forum sessions take place at the Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St., in the French Quarter. The preconference day trip takes participants to three historical houses in St. Francisville, La. The preconference walking tour and additional activities take place in the French Quarter.

HOW: Registration opens Friday, June 1, and packages start at $100. The optional programs require separate registration and are only open to forum participants. The forum is known to sell out, and those interested in attending are encouraged to act quickly. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org/antiques.htm or call (504) 523-4662. Details on scholarships are available online.

WHY: Since the 19th century, New Orleans has served as a marketplace for the decorative arts, and the city remains the region's arts and antiques capital to this day. With the theme "Circa 1812," the 2012 New Orleans Antiques Forum commemorates the bicentennials of Louisiana statehood and the War of 1812.

This year's event includes speakers from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Hermitage: Home of Andrew Jackson, The American Revolution Center and the Tulane University School of Architecture, among others. The program also features three optional events-a preconference tour of plantation houses in St. Francisville, a preconference walking tour of the historic French Quarter and a Sunday brunch at Antoine's Restaurant with the speakers and fellow participants.

The Historic New Orleans Collection established the New Orleans Antiques Forum in 2008 to promote the city as a cultural destination and to help local businesses after Hurricane Katrina. The four-day event celebrates its fifth year in 2012 and is expected to once again draw capacity crowds of antiques enthusiasts from more than a dozen states for presentations with decorative arts experts. Participants are also invited to partake in social activities and to visit the city's numerous antiques shops. Details about the full schedule of events may be found at www.hnoc.org/antiques.htm or by calling (504) 523-4662.

The 2012 New Orleans Antiques Forum is presented with the support of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc., New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, the Coypu Foundation, Garrity Print Solutions, Hotel Monteleone, Antoine's Restaurant, French Antique Shop, Inc., Neal Auction Company, New Orleans Silversmiths, Royal Antiques, Community Coffee, Fleur de Paris, and the Schon Charitable Foundation.

Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org or call (504) 523-4662.

The Historic New Orleans Collection-Preserving our Past for a Brighter Future.

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