In October 2001, at age 70, Bobby McIntyre unveiled the plan to restore an entire block of downtown New Orleans to its roots during the golden age of jazz. Designed as a living museum depicting life at the turn of the last century, the renovation of the 400 block of South Rampart Street will revitalize existing historical structures and recreate the legendary taverns and dance halls that now exist only in faded photos and memories. Visitors to this living jazz museum will experience, firsthand, the sights and sounds of life during that remarkable time.

It’s easy to look at this forlorn string of buildings and imagine the value of the real estate beneath them. With decades of experience in business, Bobby McIntyre fully understands economics and market demands. But he also understands the value of history and the importance of preserving our links to the past.

When Bobby stepped into the cold, musty shell of the structure that once housed the bustling Eagle Saloon, he envisioned the very same place where a 12-year-old named Daniel Louis Armstrong first blew his horn and launched a revolution in music. In a town so seemingly rooted in its own sense of place, Bobby McIntyre saw the birthplace of jazz slowly disappearing with each new office tower, condominium and hotel. And so, with a committed group of supporters called the New Orleans Jazz Restoration Society, Bobby set out to preserve the true birthplace of jazz.

There is still work to do before the living museum of jazz history becomes a reality. But with the experience, vision and passion of a man like Bobby McIntyre, we look forward to seeing young Louis blow his horn on South Rampart Street once again.

Bobby McIntyre… Peoples Health Champion.