The Garden District of New Orleans, which is classified as National Historic Landmark, is known for its historic southern mansions. In fact, this collection of mansions may be the best preserved in the United States. Originally the post-civil war mansion of a prominent Louisiana sugar planter, the mansion at 2343 Prytania Street is now the Louise S. McGee School. Designed by Architect James Freret in 1872, the building reflects the influence of the "Ecole des Beaux Arts" in France.