The Cabildo

Originally the seat of Spanish colonial city hall, the building now forms part of the Louisiana State Museum.

[5] In 1821, the Spanish coat of arms was removed from the façade pediment and replaced with the extant American eagle with cannonballs by the Italian sculptor Pietro Cardelli and the third floor with mansard roof was later added in 1847, in the French style.

The Cabildo was the site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies late in 1803, and continued to be used by the New Orleans city council until the mid-1850s.

The museum displays exhibits about the history of Louisiana from its settlement up through the Reconstruction Era, and about the heritage of the ethnic groups who have lived in the state.

[8] In 2005, the Cabildo survived Hurricane Katrina, the eye of which passed 30 miles (48 km) east of downtown, with relatively minor damage.

The Cabildo is left of St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square .
The French flag is removed and the American flag is hoisted in New Orleans after the Louisiana Purchase . In the background can see the former appearance of the Cathedral of New Orleans of Spanish factory, built in 1794 during the Spanish rule. At the left is the Spanish Cabildo. Louisiana State Museum .