History
The Pitot House was initially constructed in 1799 by Don Bartolome Bosque as a country retreat along Bayou St. John. It is speculated that Bosque's house was a raised cottage on brick pillars. It is also believed that during the ownership of Madame Rillieux (1805–1810), Edgar Degas' great-grandmother, the ground floor was enclosed with masonry walls of soft brick. Rillieux was also responsible for adding the southern gallery and several outbuildings, which are no longer extant. The house is named after James Pitot, the fourth owner of the house who resided there from 1810 to 1819. James is considered to be the first "American" Mayor of New Orleans, for although he was a native of France, he became a naturalized American citizen before arriving in New Orleans in 1796. Inside are American and Louisiana antiques from the early 19th century, but the antiques are not original to the home. A portrait of Sophie Gabrielle, James Pitot's daughter, is the only artifact owned by any past resident of the house. Other notable owners of the house include Felix Ducayet and Mother Cabrini, America's first named saint.
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