Our Take: Sitting opposite the Ursuline Convent, BK House is a microcosm of New Orleans History. Built for a slave auctioneer, likely constructed by the enslaved, lost to economic ruin, site of an underworld murder, once proposed to be demolished and replaced by a macaroni factory, and finally restored by a Virginia novelist who loved New Orleans and its history, BK House has over 200 years of history to tell. The House is named after two of its prominent owners – Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard and Frances Parkinson Keyes. Beauregard led several important Civil War battles (Shiloh and First Bull Run) and rented the property after the end of the war. Keyes (rhymes with “eyes”), an American author whose works of fiction spanned the years from 1919 to 1963, rented part of the house when she moved to New Orleans in the 1950’s to work on her novels. Keyes later sponsored the purchase and restoration of the property by the foundation that has presently manages the property – The Keyes Foundation. Construction of the home was begun in 1825 by a Joseph LeCarpentier – a wealthy auctioneer. (Likely slave auctions.) LeCarpentier soon ran into financial difficulties and the house was sold in 1833. Thus began its long and fascinating history. You can view the home’s ownership succession here and the nomination for the National Register of Historic Places can be viewed here.