​Save the Tombs Cemetery Tour!
 
A re-enactment tour of the cemetery featuring several of the tombs in the graveyard. Tour will begin at the front gate of the Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church Cemetery. This historic graveyard dates back into the 1800's and possibly earlier. In it rests many of the prominent citizens of the city of Donaldsonville. The cemetery serves as a resting place for members of Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church, St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Smoke Bend. A number of Donaldsonville’s former residents will be portrayed.  This event is planned just before All Saints Day on October 30, 2021.   It will be held immediately following the 4:00 pm vigil mass and will be getting dark. Please bring your flashlights!
Tickets can be purchased at the Ascension of our Lord Church Office or by contacting Margaret Canella at [email protected]. The price of admission is $20.00. Payments can be made by cash, checks or VENMO.
Purpose:
1. To fund the preservation of the Joseph and Anne Bujol Landry tomb and as funds permit, the many other deteriorated tombs in the Ascension of Our Lord Cemetery in Donaldsonville, La. The Joseph Landry Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Learn more at www.landryfoundation.com 
2. To promote awareness of Donaldsonville’s rich and diverse family heritage
3. To increase tourism footprint and thus bring business to local businesses
 
The Joseph Landry Foundation was formed in 2008 by heirs of Joseph Landry and Anne Bujol.  After many years of work, we are almost ready to begin the preservation work on the tomb.  We also plan to do preservation work on some of the other deteriorating tombs, funds permitting.
After a series of conversations with Emily Ford and Nick Black to name a few, we have arrived at a point where our ability to begin work looms near.  They have steered us toward this fund raising event.  We thank them from the bottom of our hearts!
Emily Ford has a full time job working for the City of New Orleans as the superintendent of cemeteries and is owner of Oak and Laurel Cemetery Preservation, LLC.  Emily says:  “I have been an admirer of the Landry tomb in Donaldsonville for years and years.  It is a masterpiece on its own, but even more so considering its time period.  Even in New Orleans cemeteries we don't have much that survives from before the 1850s.”    
Nick Black has been steeped in New Orleans culture. He is a graduate of Brother Martin High School and went on to study art and art history at Nicholls State University. Following a four year program, Nick attended North Kent College (London) to receive his diploma in Marine Surveying and Restoration.  Being born and raised in the Greater New Orleans area he grew up appreciating the unique traditions and architecture of the Crescent City. He especially learned, early in life, the distinctive designs of our city’s cemeteries.
        As a kid Nick would go to the cemeteries at the foot of Canal Street to help his father and grandfather maintain the family tomb. It is this value for the continuation of family traditions, and honoring those who have gone before us, that guided him to develop a business that helps to restore and renew a cultural treasure unique to New Orleans. With a background in art and art history Nick’s talents lie in the period correct renewal of family tombs, whether it be a simple cleaning or more detailed inscription work and repair, he seeks perfection and considers it an honor to help re-establish the former glory of these reverent places. 
 
Nick Black is a native of New Orleans and the owner of NOLA Cemetery Renewal.  New Orleans & Louisiana has a rich tradition in celebrating the lives of the deceased. A tradition that now dates back centuries. Thousands of tombs encompass the 45 cemeteries in New Orleans. As years go by we remember our loved ones by visiting their final resting place. Whether this is on All Saints Day, Easter or just passing through it is the respect we show that honors those who are in a better place.
            For many, the time eventually comes where we are unable to reach these resting sites until it is our own time to enter there. When this occurs, the next generation is looked upon to attend these places and honor them as we once did.
           Time has an effect on all material things. In New Orleans & Louisiana we all know how extreme our climate may be. Cemeteries are not immune from this. Although tombs, now more often constructed from stone may be left unattended longer than other structures, eventually they will deconstruct if not intervened. Unfortunately there are many graves in our city where families are no longer present. For some, just the task of getting to the cemetery may be a chore. Replacing flowers, painting or carrying out a repair is then put on the list of things to do which sometimes never happens. For this, Nola Cemetery Renewal is here to help. We are honored to take part in helping you to preserve your loved ones grave. In doing so he treats each job as if it were for his own family.