What is the Payne-Strachan House known for?

The house is most famous as the place where Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America, died on December 6, 1889.

What is the architectural style of the house?

It is a classic antebellum Greek Revival estate featuring five bays, double galleries, tall white columns, a wraparound balcony, and green shutters.

Who built the Payne-Strachan House and when?

The house was built in 1849 by Jacob Payne, a Kentucky-born cotton merchant.

What is the significance of the blue ceilings?

The sky-blue gallery ceiling is a popular Garden District design attribute; local lore suggests the color wards off evil spirits and keeps winged insects from nesting.

What can be seen in the gardens?

The grounds feature formal gardens designed by Rose Strachan and landscape architect Umberto Innocenti, which include a garden tea house and two greenhouses where Mrs. Strachan grew her famed orchids.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Payne-Strachan House in New Orleans

What to know

The Payne-Strachan House, located at 1134 First Street, is a quintessential example of antebellum Greek Revival architecture. Built in 1849 by Kentucky-born cotton merchant Jacob Payne, the estate features five bays and double galleries with tall white columns and green shutters. A notable architectural detail is the sky-blue ceiling of the gallery, a popular design attribute in the Garden District intended to repel insects and ward off evil spirits. Historically, the home has a complex legacy. In 1863, federal forces seized the house during the Union occupation of New Orleans, designating it as the property of an absent rebel. The home later became a sanctuary for Confederate President Jefferson Davis, who was a close friend of the Payne family and frequently stayed overnight there. The house is most renowned for the macabre claim to fame: Jefferson Davis died upstairs in the home on the morning of December 6, 1889, after falling ill while traveling from Beauvoir. A stone marker in front of the house now records this date to commemorate the event. Beyond its history, the estate is celebrated for its botanical beauty. Rose Strachan, renowned for her gardening skill, collaborated with landscape architect Umberto Innocenti to design the current formal gardens. Mrs. Strachan further enhanced the property by adding two greenhouses for her famed orchids and a garden tea house.

Visitor tips

Look up at the gallery ceiling to see the traditional 'Haint Blue' sky-blue color used to ward off spirits.
Read the stone marker located in front of the house to learn about the event of December 6, 1889.
Allow extra time to appreciate the formal gardens and the greenhouses designed by Rose Strachan.

Nearby context

The Payne-Strachan House is a cornerstone of the Garden District's historic residential architecture, surrounded by other antebellum mansions and lush greenery that define the neighborhood's character.