For immediate release | July 19, 2011

Beauregard-Keyes House designated a Literary Landmark by ALTAFF, in honor of Frances Parkinson Keyes

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PHILADELPHIA – The Beauregard-Keyes House in New Orleans was dedicated a Literary Landmark in honor of Frances Parkinson Keyes by the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½).

Frances Parkinson Keyes (1885-1970) made the house at 1113 Chartres St. her winter residence from 1945 until her death. Of her 51 books, "The Chess Players" and "Madame Castel's Lodger" are set at the house and tell of its construction and early habitation. It was at the house that she wrote "Dinner at Antoine’s," her best known work. While she lived at the house, she undertook restoration of the property and eventually secured its transfer to a foundation. The house was the residence of Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard from 1866-1868, while he was the president of the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad.



The dedication took place on June 27, 2011, during the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in New Orleans. Speaking at the dedication were Scott Cunningham, president of the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library; Gary Williams, chairman of the Beauregard-Keyes Foundation; Kristin Gisleson Palmer, New Orleans District C Councilmember, and Donna McDonald, ALTAFF president and board member of the Arkansas State Library. Tours of the home were given following the dedication.

Friends of the New Orleans Public Library joined ALTAFF in supporting this Literary Landmark designation. This is the seventh Literary Landmark in Louisiana.

The Literary Landmark program is administered by ALTAFF. More than 100 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated since the program began in 1986. Any library or citizens group may apply for a Literary Landmark through ALTAFF. For more information, visit .

is a division of the 91´«Ã½ that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. ALTAFF brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit , or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org

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Contact:

Jillian Kalonick