Rendez-Vous de l'Alliance with Miki Pfeffer

History Hiding in Plain Sight: How the Grace King papers filled in missing Pontalba history

Join us for a captivating exploration into the hidden past as Miki Pfeffer, PhD, takes us on a journey through the remarkable discovery of Baron Edouard de Pontalba's letters, concealed in the Grace King Papers in LSU Library's Louisiana Collection for over fifty years.

About the Event: Since the 1970s, a cache of fifty-plus letters, notes, and postcards penned by Baron Edouard de Pontalba remained unnoticed within the Grace King Papers. Unbeknownst to the modern Pontalba family, these letters, dating from 1901 to 1914, were a treasure trove of historical insights.

A chance meeting in New Orleans between historian Miki Pfeffer and Pierre de Pontalba changed the course of history. Scans of these letters, gifted by Pfeffer, unveiled missing chapters in the Pontalba family's narrative. The Baron had originally written these letters for inclusion in Grace King's project on Creole Families of New Orleans, providing intricate details about his family.

Don't miss this serendipitously found story as Miki Pfeffer shares her decade-long mission of transcribing Grace King's letters, aiming to complete this literary endeavor in 2024.

Event Highlights:

• Speaker: Dr. Miki Pfeffer, Independent Scholar and Native New Orleanian
• Insights: Discover the hidden stories within the letters that shaped Creole history.
• Engagement: Connect with a unique perspective on genealogy, New Orleans, and the intertwining threads of history.
• Q&A Session: Pose questions to Dr. Pfeffer and delve deeper into this extraordinary historical revelation.

Bio: Dr. Miki Pfeffer is a distinguished independent scholar and native New Orleanian. Renowned for her books on women's history, Dr. Pfeffer's extensive work includes "Southern Ladies and Suffragists" and "A New Orleans Author in Mark Twain’s Court." With a decade-long commitment to transcribing Grace King's letters, her mission is set to culminate in 2024.

Save the date for an evening of historical intrigue and revelations. History Hiding in Plain Sight is not just an event; it's an exploration of the untold stories that shape our understanding of the past.