History of the New Orleans Fire Department with Nikki Caruso: the Formative Years, 1771-1922
Channel: Archives NOLAlibrary
Date: 2022-10-05

Join the City Archives and host Nikki Caruso to explore the history of the New Orleans Fire Department through its revolts, parades, memorials, and the establishment of the department we know today.

Nikki Caruso was born in New Orleans and is the daughter of a retired New Orleans Fire Department captain. She grew up hearing stories about the department and visiting fire houses around the city, leading to an interest in its history. In 2020, Nikki began using the New Orleans Public Library's at-home access to online databases to research the histories of 19th and 20th century fire stations in New Orleans. She created the Instagram account @CrescentCityStations to share her discoveries.

About Nikki Caruso:
After double-majoring in Theatre Arts and Dance Studies at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, Nikki went on to earn her Master of Arts in American Dance Studies from Florida State University. While at FSU, she wrote her Master’s thesis on the 610 Stompers, researched ambulatory traditions in New Orleans, represented the FSU College of Fine Arts at the state-wide Graduate Research Symposium, and worked as a historical research assistant.