Once the gathering place for world-renowned jazz musicians, now a quiet, deserted wooden structure in the 400 block of Lamarque Street, the Dew Drop Jazz Hall in Mandeville, may soon see some much needed restoration work thanks to a National Endowment for the Arts grant.

Under the direction of Adjunct Assistant Tulane University Professor Grover Mouton and Associate Nick Jenisch with the Tulane Regional Urban Design Center, the NEA granted the city $20,000 for the preservation of the hall, which is arguably the oldest unaltered jazz hall in the world.

The city has agreed to match the grant, bringing the total to $40,000 that will fund the “schematic design to interpret the history and significance of the structure,” Mouton stated in a press release.

The interior of the Dew Drop Jazz Hall may be plainly decorated but the open floors once served as a teaming hub of musical entertainment that hosted countless pioneers of jazz music. (Staff Photo by Chad Ruiz)

Mouton said the grant will cover the conservation of the building and the research needed to gather the historic significance of the hall.

“The importance of the structure is phenomenal,” he said. “We’re going to bring in experts who can deal with this jewel.”

He also said the TRUDC’s ultimate goal is to “get music back onto the site.”

As part of the restoration process, the grant will also update the building to meet any city codes.

Mouton said part of the conservation process will include holding public workshops where community members will be allowed to voice their opinions and ideas.

The Dew Drop Jazz Hall was constructed in 1885 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with several other historic structures in Mandeville.

The Friends of the Dew Drop organization was created several years ago once the city acquired possession of the building. The group is dedicated to protect and preserve the deep-rooted culture of the building.