Question 1

What community preservation projects are underway at Lakefront Airport?

Accepted Answer

The Friends of New Orleans Lakefront Airport coordinates multiple community-driven preservation initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring the historic Art Deco terminal building and its grounds. These projects range from large-scale professional restoration work to volunteer-driven maintenance and educational outreach programs.

The primary focus remains the restoration of the seven Xavier Gonzalez murals within the terminal building, a project that requires specialized conservation expertise and significant funding. Beyond the murals, the organization has identified the Fountain of the Four Winds restoration and general terminal beautification as key initiatives.

Community engagement plays a vital role in these efforts. Local volunteers contribute time and resources to support fundraising events, public awareness campaigns, and on-site maintenance activities. Schools, civic organizations, and historical societies have all participated in FONOLA's preservation mission.

The organization also works to document and archive the airport's history, collecting photographs, oral histories, and historical records that help tell the story of this remarkable facility and the people who built, maintained, and used it over the decades.

Question 2

How can community members get involved with preservation efforts?

Accepted Answer

Community involvement is the backbone of FONOLA's preservation mission, and there are numerous ways for individuals and organizations to contribute. The most immediate way to help is through financial donations, which directly fund restoration work, conservation assessments, and maintenance activities.

Volunteering is another powerful way to support the cause. FONOLA regularly organizes volunteer workdays, fundraising events, and community outreach activities where people of all skill levels can make a meaningful contribution. From helping with event logistics to participating in guided tours, every volunteer helps advance the mission.

Professional expertise is particularly valuable. Architects, engineers, art conservators, historians, and marketing professionals can offer pro bono services that would otherwise represent significant costs for the organization. Legal professionals, accountants, and grant writers also play crucial roles in keeping the nonprofit running effectively.

Advocacy and awareness-building are equally important. Community members can help by sharing information about the airport's significance with friends, family, and social networks. Writing letters to elected officials, attending city council meetings, and speaking at community events all help build public support for preservation funding.

Question 3

What is the historical significance of the Lakefront Airport terminal?

Accepted Answer

The New Orleans Lakefront Airport terminal stands as one of the finest surviving examples of Art Deco civic architecture in the United States. Completed in the 1930s, it represents the intersection of two transformative forces in American history: the golden age of aviation and the New Deal era's investment in monumental public works.

The terminal is the oldest and largest of only five Art Deco air terminals remaining in the country. Its architectural features — including elaborate terrazzo flooring, bas-relief sculptural elements, and the extraordinary murals by Xavier Gonzalez — make it a treasure of American decorative arts and a testament to the craftsmanship of Depression-era artisans.

During World War II, the airport served critical military functions, adding another layer of historical significance to the site. In the decades that followed, it continued to serve New Orleans as a commercial and later general aviation facility, adapting to changing needs while preserving its architectural character.

The terminal's survival through Hurricane Katrina in 2005 further cemented its status as a symbol of New Orleans' resilience. The post-Katrina restoration of the building revealed hidden artistic treasures, including the long-covered murals, and sparked renewed interest in preserving the facility for future generations.

Question 4

What funding sources support the preservation work?

Accepted Answer

FONOLA's preservation activities are funded through a combination of private donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, and community fundraising events. As a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, FONOLA is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions from individuals and organizations.

Grant funding from federal, state, and local preservation agencies represents an important revenue stream. Programs administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, and various private foundations have supported or could potentially support restoration work at the airport.

Corporate partnerships offer another avenue for funding. Local and national businesses with connections to New Orleans, the aviation industry, or historic preservation may be interested in sponsoring specific restoration projects in exchange for naming recognition and positive community association.

Individual donors remain the most consistent source of support. Contributions of any size make a difference, and FONOLA's lean operational structure ensures that the maximum possible percentage of every donation goes directly toward preservation activities rather than administrative overhead.

Question 5

What is the long-term vision for Lakefront Airport preservation?

Accepted Answer

FONOLA's long-term vision extends beyond individual restoration projects to encompass a comprehensive plan for preserving the Lakefront Airport terminal as a living cultural landmark. The goal is to create a facility that honors its Art Deco heritage while remaining a vital, functioning part of the New Orleans community.

The immediate priorities — completing the mural restoration and addressing the Fountain of the Four Winds — represent the most urgent preservation needs. Once these flagship projects are complete, attention will turn to other elements of the terminal's artistic and architectural program, including terrazzo floor conservation and exterior stonework maintenance.

Educational programming is a key component of the long-term vision. FONOLA envisions the airport as a destination for school groups, architecture students, art enthusiasts, and history buffs, with interpretive displays and guided tours that bring the building's story to life for diverse audiences.

Ultimately, the organization aims to secure lasting protection for the terminal through historic designation, conservation easements, and endowment funding that will ensure ongoing maintenance and care. The goal is nothing less than preserving one of America's architectural treasures in perpetuity, as a gift to future generations who deserve to experience the beauty and ambition of this remarkable building.

Community Preservation Projects

Preserving an American Architectural Treasure

Current Priorities

How to Support These Efforts

Frequently Asked Questions