Lois Elmer Bannon has long been an advocate for restoration and preservation
of historic pieces, whether they be houses or smaller forms of art. She was
active in restoring Magnolia Mound and presenting its history to visitors. She
has prepared museum exhibits of James John Audubon's prints and published
numerous articles on his work. Ms. Bannon did a large part of the early planning
for the State Houses of Louisiana exhibit at Louisiana's Old State Capitol
Center for Political and Governmental History. In gratitude for Ms. Bannon's
work, and in honor of her accomplishments, the exhibit was dedicated to her.
Magnolia Mound, situated on a ridge overlooking the Mississippi River, stands
as Baton Rouge's most notable eighteenth-century structure. Magnolia
Mound: A Louisiana River Plantation traces the origin
and development of this splendid, Creole raised cottage, providing an intimate
look at plantation life and the economic system that supported it. The book was
researched and written under the direction of the Magnolia Mound Board of
Trustees, and in 1985, it was awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the
American Association for State and Local History.
Handbook of Audubon Prints is a complete, concise
guide to the bird and animal prints created by naturalist and artist John James
Audubon more than a century ago. The book was created to fill a special need for
serious collectors of Audubon prints, as well as for those who simply want to
become more knowledgeable about the man and his works. A price list of Audubon
prints, including the Imperial Folio Edition and the Havell and Bien editions,
is included in the handbook. The authors also provide answers to many questions
concerning Audubon's work, such as sizes of individual prints, numbers,
watermarks, dates printed, printing methods, and background artists.
A former resident of Baton Rouge, Lois Elmer Bannon now lives in Hattiesburg,
Mississippi.
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