L’Union Francaise was organized on October 12, 1872 by a group of local citizens interested in preserving the French language and culture in New Orleans. In 1879 the organization purchased a building on North Rampart Street for use as a venue for theatrical productions and social receptions. Several years later L’Union opened an elementary school for girls (boys gained admission some years later), with instruction in French forming an important part of its curriculum. The group discontinued the elementary school in 1952 and began offering adult classes in French shortly thereafter. In addition to its educational activities, L’Union also promoted charitable works including aid to yellow fever victims and a longstanding program of assistance to the elderly residents of the Maison Hospitaliere. L’Union’s building burned to the ground in 1953 and the group purchased a building on Prytania Street to serve as its new home. The French language classes continue from that site to this day.