Notre-Dame: A Wider World
Notre-Dame: A Wider World
On April 15, 2019, the world watched in grief as fire engulfed the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, which has stood in the center of Paris since construction began in 1163 on the site of a Roman temple. In 1991 UNESCO designated Notre Dame a World Heritage Site, a space not only sacred to Catholics, but also a cultural testament to eight centuries of history, art, and architecture that drew from a dynamic, multicultural, dynamic, multicultural, and religiously diverse medieval world.
Its reopening—scheduled for December 2024—has come to mean more than reconstruction: It is a spectacularly complex commitment to preserving a shared cultural treasure. In Houston, from October 2024 to June 2025, Archaeology Now presents this series of multimedia, multidisciplinary events by archaeologists, artisans, and scientists who are making the cathedral’s preservation possible and scholars who are opening broader understandings of its interconnected world.
In addition we continue to offer family and cemetery events that are part of our yearly programming. Look for fleur-de-lis icons that indicate events related to Notre-Dame..
Archaeology Now celebrates this series in grateful partnership with the Consulat Général de France à Houston, Villa Albertine, Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, and Alliance Française Houston.
We are grateful to the following sponsors for their generous support of this project.
A Renaissance Banquet
Courtesy of Istock
Celebrate Renaissance France & The Craftsmen Who Built Notre-Dame
Imagine Leonardo de Vinci and Francis I, two great minds, sitting down to dinner together! Francis I, the celebrated French king who lured de Vinci (and the Mona Lisa!) to France, created a scintillating court featuring increasingly sophisticated cuisine. Whimsy, and experimentation, were the order of the day.
Tables were transformed forever.
Join a Renaissance banquet at the historic Julia Ideson Library, a triumph of Renaissance Revival architecture in Houston. You will be transported to a time of incredible artistic, scientific, and cultural rebirth. Our festivities include Renaissance music, wine from some vineyards dating back to the Renaissance, and an authentic menu created in consultation with Ken Albala and Volker Bach, culinary historians specializing in Renaissance cuisine.
Guests are invited to be the first to preview our new exhibit in the Julia Ideson Gallery: The Great Restoration Adventure: Celebrating the Craftsmen of Notre-Dame
featuring materials from four groups of artisans involved in the
preservation of Notre-Dame.
Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris will be present to give an update on the latest news of the restoration of the Cathedral.
Individual Tickets
$150 per person
Donation Levels
Your donations help Archaeology Now carry out it’s mission of telling the stories of Houston’s many vibrant communities
(All donors are listed in the event program. The Presenting Sponsor at the $10,000 Level will be listed on the Exhibit Wall)
$500 - “Gargoyles” - Receive 3 tickets
$1000 - “Flying Buttresses” - Receive 5 Tickets
$2,500 - “Forrest” - Receive 10 Tickets
$5,000 - “Rose Window” - Receive 10 Tickets
$10,000 - “Spire” - Receive 10 Tickets
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 6pm-8pm.
Julia Ideson Library | 550 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 6pm-8pm.
Julia Ideson Library | 550 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002
The Great Restoration Adventure: Celebrating the Craftsmen of Notre-Dame
Graphic Design: Carrie Cash Communications
EXHIBIT
The Great Restoration Adventure
Celebrating the Craftsmen of Notre-Dame de Paris
On April 15, 2019, the world watched in horror as fire engulfed the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most treasured structures of the last seven centuries and a cultural landmark of universal value. Not only does Notre-Dame embody the soul of global—and French—heritage; it is also a testament to centuries of belief, history, art, and architectural brilliance. Its restoration transcends mere reconstruction; it signifies humanity’s commitment to preserving the cultural treasures that bind us all.
The ceremonial reopening of Notre-Dame on December 27, 2024, reinforced the importance of preserving and cherishing our global heritage for today, and for the future.
This exhibit celebrates the extraordinary skills of the craftsmen and artisans responsible for bringing the cathedral back to life. Because of their talents, Notre-Dame de Paris has been saved to inspire future generations.
Opening Celebration of Exhibit. Ribbon Cutting followed by Celebratory Dinner
Friday, June 27, 6pm - 8pm
Exhibit Dates: June 30 - August 2
Gallery Opening Times:
M 12-5 | Tu 10 – 5 | W 10 – 5 | Th 11 – 6 | F 10 – 5 | Sa 10 – 5 | Su Closed
(The Library will be closed July 4/5 for Independence Day and is always closed on Sundays.)
FREE ADMISSION
Julia Ideson Library Exhibit Hall
550 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002
African American Gothic Series
AFRICAN AMERICAN GOTHIC SERIES
Discover connections of Houston’s Black community to Gothic architecture at two events.
Due to an unexpected situation involving our speaker, this series of events must be postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Houston Freedmen's Town Heritage Walking Tour
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Courtesy of Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy
A companion to the African American Gothic Event at Antioch Church
Enjoy a guided tour of the historic district of Freedmen's Town to see original structures that include homes, churches, and the brick streets paved by its emancipated leaders.
An additional highlight will be a visit to Bethel Church Park, a sacred space built in Gothic style that once served as a church for the community. Following a devastating fire, it is now a place of special memory.
Reception of creole cuisine follows the walking tour. Limited to 40 participants.
$25/person
10am - Noon
Departure Point: Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center | 1204 Victor Street
Free Parking: African American History Research Center at the Gregory School | 1300 Victor Street
Presented in grateful partnership with Houston Freemen’s Town Conservancy
African American Gothic Architecture, A Conversation
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Courtesy of Antioch African American Baptist Church
Join us to discover Houston’s African American connections to Notre-Dame through Gothic architecture!
At this in-depth conversation, Pastor Lou and Mrs. Jacqueline B. McElroy, Pastor and First Lady of the historic Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest African American Baptist Church in Houston, will be joined by historian of Gothic architecture Dr. Lindsay Cook to discuss the history and architecture of Antioch Church, as well as several other works of African American art and architecture that are in dialogue with Gothic architecture, in general, or Notre-Dame of Paris, specifically.
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church was founded by formerly enslaved individuals in January 1866 and by community leader Rev. John (Jack) Henry Yates who was the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Jacqueline McElroy. The church is a UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project site.
Free Admission
Free Parking - information here
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Antioch Missionary Baptist Church 500 Clay Street
This series of events is realized in partnership with the public body in charge of Notre-Dame de Paris
and is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance
and in grateful partnership with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
Live YouTube Event|Gold Caravans & Ivory Networks
Meet the societies of medieval Africa who established powerful empires and forged long-distance networks throughout the Global medieval world. At this live YouTube event, examine the history of the trans-Saharan trade network through the perspective two important materials: gold and ivory to understand how these material networks connected people across West Africa, North Africa, the Mediterranean and beyond, to medieval Europe. Learn how this trade created religious, cultural, and economic connections and hear from people in the past who made these connections possible
Dr. Sara Ann Knutson, Medieval Studies, the University of British Columbia
FREE ADMISSION
Rebuilding Notre-Dame: “All Together”
David Bordes. Public establishment in charge conservation and restoration of Notre Dame
Medieval descriptions of the construction of Gothic cathedrals often begin with a destructive fire, miraculous survival, and renewed collective purpose for restoring what lost. In the process, the old becomes new and new ideas and possibilities emerge. Not only is a building reconstructed; it is transformed and so are we: new techniques, artistic forms, and ideas are developed through the organization of collaborative effort. The Notre-Dame restoration continues this story into our present moment as we have watched the spire of the cathedral rise once again and await the reopening on December 8, 2024. Alongside the restoration, interdisciplinary groups of researchers have made new discoveries about this famous Gothic building. This lecture will provide insight into the rebuilding process, the research groups of the Chantier scientifique, and the major discoveries that have been made thanks to collective effort and interdisciplinary, collaborative research.
Presented by:
Dr. Jennifer Feltman, member of Chantier Scientifique de Notre-Dame, Assoc. Prof., Medieval Art & Architecture, University of Alabama
Presented at:
Hudspeth Auditorium, Rice University | Entrance No 8, at the intersection of University Blvd and Stockton Drive
FREE ADMISSION
READ ARTICLE ABOUT JENNIFER FELTMAN"S RESEARCH ON THE PIGMENTS OF NOTRE-DAME
This series of events is realized in partnership with the public body in charge of
Notre-Dame de Paris
and is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.
Presented in Grateful Cosponsorship with
Digging in Hallowed Ground: Excavating Notre-Dame
Denis Glicksmann, INRAP
An excellent opportunity was presented for the first excavations in many years as the Cathedral underwent restoration following the fire in 2020. Learn about the archaeological work that took place and how exciting major new knowledge was revealed that will transform our understanding of Notre-Dame and its connections to a wider world.
LEARN MORE! - Story from NPR: https://www.npr.org/2022/04/16/1093200949/notre-dame-cathedral-artifacts-found
Presented by:
Christophe Besnier, Director of Archaeology Excavations, Notre-Dame de Paris
Presented at:
Jones Hall, The University of St. Thomas | 3910 Yoakum Houston TX 77006
Cosponsored by:
The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston
The University of St. Thomas
FREE ADMISSION
This series of events is realized in partnership with the public body in charge of
Notre-Dame de Paris
and is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance
Presented in Grateful Partnership with
Medieval Chant Workshop & Vespers of the Virgin
Ensemble Organum
WELCOME TO A SACRED CHANT WORKSHOP & VESPER SERVICE WITH ENSEMBLE ORGANUM.
CHANT WORKSHOP
Join us for an afternoon filled with ancient chant and musical connection. This workshop is perfect for anyone wanting to deepen their practice of chanting and explore the power of sacred music. Whether you're a seasoned chanter or a complete beginner, this event is open to all. Join like-minded individuals to experience the transformative power of sacred chants from across the medieval world in a welcoming and supportive environment. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of music and community.
VESPERS SERVICE
Following the workshop, participate in a sacred service of Vespers — the Liturgy of Evening prayer or Vespers — as it would have been performed in Notre-Dame.
The Liturgy of the Hours is an unbroken tradition from at least 600 CE, originating in Jewish rituals. It consists of set chant, readings, and prayers at fixed times throughout a day. Christians of both Western and Eastern traditions (including the Latin Catholic, Eastern Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian, Lutheran, Anglican, and some other Protestant churches) celebrate the canonical hours in various forms and under various names.
Ensemble Organum will perform the Vespers of the Virgin in a medieval style that was used in Notre-Dame and will incorporate chant, incense, and sacred readings.
Hear the Ensemble: https://shorturl.at/pJT8j
FREE ADMISSION
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
Workshop: 1-3pm
Vespers: 4:00-5pm
Christ Church Cathedral
1117 Texas
Free parking in the Cathedral Garage at the corner of Texas and San Jacinto Streets
In grateful partnership with Christ Church Cathedral
A Medieval Musical Journey: Chant from Notre-Dame de Paris
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Houston Gothic: An Architectural Tour
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3D Imaging and the Restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris
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Notre-Dame Cathedral: An Immersive Experience
Still image of digital rendering of Notre-Dame Cathedral, courtesy of Ars Electronica
To celebrate next month’s public reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral after its intense five-year restoration, an exhibition, mounted by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, brings to life a virtual, three-dimensional model of the architectural icon.
Visitors to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, are invited to step inside a virtual depiction of Paris as they experience the entry and interior of the cathedral, as well as the extraordinary effort to restore Notre-Dame after the devastating April 2019 fire.
In Paris, the iconic Gothic cathedral will reopen to the public on Saturday, December 7, 2024. The MFAH is celebrating this historic moment with an immersive experience in the Museum’s spacious Cullinan Hall.
The reconstruction of Notre-Dame has involved a team of nearly 2,000–both on site and in workshops across France–including conservators, carpenters, glassmakers, locksmiths, engineers, and scaffolding experts. The MFAH presentation showcases the legendary architectural features of the cathedral, including its famed stained-glass windows, as well as the role of new technologies in preserving and communicating humanity’s cultural heritage.
The MFAH experience is created by Ars Electronica in partnership with French start-ups Iconem and Histovery. The presentation employs point cloud data compiled by the late, renowned Belgian art historian and Vassar College professor Andrew Tallon, who created three-dimensional laser scans of the cathedral in 2010. This information proved instrumental in guiding the reconstruction of the cathedral and was supplemented with additional scans and material by Histovery.
The exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and supported by Villa Albertine, Alliance Francaise de Houston, Archaeology Now, Iconem, and Histovery. The videos are made possible thanks to data compiled by art historian Dr. Andrew Tallon, Yann Arthus Bertrand and TSVP. The resulting videos were created by Ars Electronica and their production team: Patrick Berger, Melinda File, Roland Haring, Raphael Schaumburg-Lippe.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
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Notre-Dame Through Time
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