Brevard-Clapp House
Where History Meets Legend
Some homes become landmarks. Others become legends.
In New Orleans, it's often difficult to separate documented history from generations of local storytelling. Few homes illustrate that balance better than the Brevard-Clapp House, also known as the Brevard-Clapp-Rice House.
Located in the city's historic Garden District, the mansion was built in 1857 for Albert Hamilton Brevard. Designed in the Greek Revival style with later Italianate additions, the home reflects the grandeur that made New Orleans architecture famous. Its stately columns, expansive façade, and elegant proportions continue to make it one of the district's most recognizable residences.
Over the years, the property passed through several notable owners, including the Clapp family, Judge John Minor Wisdom, and later acclaimed author Anne Rice, who owned the home from 1989 until 2004. Rice's association with the mansion helped introduce it to readers around the world, further cementing its place in New Orleans' cultural landscape.
Like many historic homes in New Orleans, the Brevard-Clapp House has accumulated stories that extend beyond documented history. Local lore includes tales of unexplained occurrences and lingering spirits, stories that have become part of the city's rich tradition of folklore. While these accounts remain anecdotal, they continue to capture the imagination of visitors and locals alike.
Whether you're drawn by its remarkable architecture, its literary connection to Anne Rice, or the legends that surround it, the Brevard-Clapp House stands as a reminder that some homes preserve more than bricks and mortar. They preserve the stories—both documented and imagined—that make a place unforgettable.