Convention Center unveils exhibit honoring Dutch Morial

By Kelly Harris
Contributing Writer

A special tricentennial interactive exhibit at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was unveiled on July 3 in honor of New Orleans’ first Black mayor, Ernest “Dutch” Morial.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Tricentennial History Exhibit is a state-of-the art digital exhibition that honors former Mayor Morial’s legacy and celebrates the city’s rich 300-year history.

Morial’s leadership and vision led to the creation of the Convention Center. Thirty-five years later, the Convention Center has led to billions of dollars for the state and city.

“I am proud to honor my father, Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial,” his son, former Mayor Marc Morial said. The Morial family, friends and city leaders were in attendance to celebrate the unveiling of the exhibition.

“Dutch Morial was a fierce defender of equal rights and led successful court challenges that brought an end to many segregation policies in Louisiana,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards in a press statement. “We owe him a debt of gratitude. He recognized the importance of young people and the need for them to participate in the political process. As a result of his fight, the voting age in Louisiana today is 18. Last year, I was happy to join the Morial family and state lawmakers in celebrating the 50 years since he was a member of the Louisiana Legislature. I know this new exhibit will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about his contributions to our state and how they are still impacting us for the better today.”

The Convention Center Tricentennial History Exhibit is a permanent digital display, activated by motion-sensing cameras. The massive exhibit stands at 28 feet wide and 13.5 feet tall and has up to forty-two 55-inch” video screens. The exhibit showcases the city’s rich cultural and historic heritage dating back to its founding days through a timeline that explores the people, moments and places that shaped the city.

New Orleans Convention Center visitors will be able to navigate a series of descriptions, factoids, photographs and suggested cultural destinations through motion-sensing cameras.

“On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank the Exhibition Authority for its extraordinary efforts to bring this beautiful and thoughtful exhibit to fruition,” said Sybil Morial, Dutch Morial’s widow in a press release.

In addition to the interactive exhibit, the Exhibition Hall Authority announced the creation of The Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial Award in honor of his legacy in advancing economic development and small business growth for the City of New Orleans.

This article originally published in the July 8, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.