A group of 70 to 100 people learned about Southwell, who was born in New Iberia in 1892 and died in 1961, and about architecture in America at the Iberia Cultural Resources Association’s summer meeting Thursday evening.
Presenter John Albert “Al” Landry said Southwell’s signature was a multitude of ups and downs, and a multitude of doors, with “lovely” architecture and interiors, but he designed homes in styles including the Greek Revival, early French Spanish Colonial, English Cottage, Federal Revival, and Art Deco, with homes on Main Street, St. Peter Street, French Street, Marie Street and Edgewater Drive, as well as out of state.
 Al Landry delivers program on architect Owen Southwell. LEE BALL / THE DAILY IBERIAN Advertisement
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It was clear that in the audience there were city residents who knew quite a bit of local history, supplying the answers to who had commissioned a particular house from Southwell at an unscripted moment in the presentation.
Louise Cousin said she enjoyed the presentation’s combination of education on architectural design and history as well as entertainment.
“Al’s a very amusing person. He’s entertaining and relaxing,” Cousin said. “I think everyone enjoys him.”
City Main Street Executive Director and Planning and Zoning Director Jane Braud helped Landry put the presentation together. She said there were several examples in New Iberia that couldn’t be included, as there were so many, and there might be another program with more of them next year.
Iberia Cultural Resources Association President Cathy Indest also said a tour of some of Southwell’s homes is being considered.
“It’s another unique aspect of New Iberia that we have someone like Owen Southwell, who was so well known and so prolific in his designs,” Indest said.
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