Additional Info: The Convent was constructed in 1745. It is the oldest building in the lower Mississippi Valley. In 1726, Jesuit Superior Beaubois reached an agreement with a group of Ursuline nuns to come to the colony to provide medical care. In 1727, a group of nuns led by Mother Superior Marie Tranchepin arrived in New Orleans. They were expected to provide medical care for citizens and the French military who were stationed there but the Ursulines refused to do this until they had a proper facility. Instead, they turned their attention to providing education to young women. In 1734, the Ursulines bought this piece of property near the riverfront paying cash, two slaves, and other consideration. See: Masterless Mistresses by Emily Clark.