(August 28, 2009, New Orleans, La.) - "Audubon Park: A History of American Culture Seen Through Public Space" will be the topic presented by UNO history graduate student Nels Abrams on Thursday, September 10 at 6 p.m. as the free History Ya-Ya lecture series continues at the Louisiana State Museum's Cabildo on Jackson Square.

The talk will focus on the history of natural parks in America, Audubon Park's unique history, the role of the Olmstead family in American parks, and the transition from natural to recreational parks at the turn of the 20th century.

The monthly History Ya-Ya lecture series exploring Louisiana's historical and cultural legacies is co-sponsored by the University of New Orleans Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies and the Friends of the Cabildo. Programs are held the second Thursday of each month.

Upcoming presentations include: on October 8, "Swimming and Resorts in Old New Orleans" by UNO history graduate student Christina Offutt; and on November 12, "Vodou in New Orleans," by Sallie Ann Glassman who is among the few Americans ordained as a Vodou priestess in the traditional Haitian initiation.

For more information, contact Gabriela Hernandez, LSM adult program manager, at (504) 568-8215 or ghernandez@crt.state.la.us.

Johanna M. Schindler

University of New Orleans

(504) 280-6939

Fax (504) 280-1080

jschindl@uno.edu

Arthur M. Smith

University of New Orleans

(504) 280-6939

Fax (504) 280-1080

asmith@crt.state.la.us