The house at the corner of First
& Chestnut Streets in the Garden District of New Orleans is the inspiration
for Mayfair Manor in Anne Rice’s novel, The Witching Hour (1990). Mayfair Manor was the home for several generations
of witches, as well as their supernatural tormentor, Lasher. The story of the Mayfair witches
continues in two more of Rice’s novels: Lasher (1993) and Taltos (1994).
Anne Rice actually owned and lived
in the house from 1989-2004. The
house already had a long & illustrious history before Rice took up
residence. Built by Albert Brevard
in 1857, the house
was a transitional design that featured many “modern” conveniences. The home passed through a succession of
owners, including John Minor Wisdom, a federal appellate court judge who won
renown for his decisions on civil rights.
Many people, including Anne Rice,
claim that the house is haunted.
Anne Rice no longer lives
here. The house is a private
residence and is not open to the public.