100 Men Hall People Project
The 100 Men Hall People Project desired to strengthen the heritage identity between the community and the historic 100 Men Hall. The African American community was invited to have portraits taken and talk about their history with the Hall. Photographer Gus Bennett took 274 portraits. The project was made possible in part by a grant from the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area.
Gus Bennett is a fine arts photographer who has documented the lives of New Orleans Black citizens for more than 25 years. His most recent series, "The New Orleans People Project," was recognized by the Lieutenant Governor's Office and featured at Essence Music Festival.
Each photograph includes a short text block based on the subject's memories of and how their identity was influenced by their relationship to the Hall. Each person received a copy of their portrait, they were shared with the community on the Hall's website, at the Hall, and in a limited edition bound book.
DAY 218 Enaam Joseph photographed exclusively for the 100 Men Hall People Project (100MHPP). The only memory I have of the Hall is my great uncle Ellsworth Collins used to tell me stories about th...
DAY 210 Pajge Ruff & Mario Durr photographed exclusively for the 100 Men Hall People Project (100MHPP). I remember there was stuff here before Katrina but after Katrina it kind of died out. We...
DAY 205 Jocelyn Y. Miles photographed exclusively for the 100 Men Hall People Project (100MHPP). I felt home when I first came into the Hall for Russell Fairconnetue’s birthday party [December 201...
DAY 190 Lylie Nichols photographed exclusively for the 100 Men Hall People Project (100MHPP). My grandmother and Aunt Mercedes used to sit there with their aprons on when they were cooking in the ...
DAY 186 Brian Labat photographed exclusively for the 100 Men Hall People Project (100MHPP). My grandparents were with the Hall. There was a time when this place didn’t have a roof. My grandfather ...
Rachel and Constantin "Tin" Dangermond
DAY 234 Rachel and Constantin “Tin” Dangermond photographed exclusively for the 100 Men Hall People Project (100MHPP). On May 5, 2018, I called Matt Stieffel to go see a Blues Hall in Bay Saint Lo...