Isidore Newman

Isidore Newman immigrated to New Orleans from Germany in 1880. He became the head of his own investment firm, helped form the New Orleans Stock Exchange and served as its president for many years. In 1897, he established Maison Blanche, one of the largest department stores in New Orleans. Mr. Newman was a generous philanthropist. In 1903, he donated the money to establish the Isidore Newman Manual Training School. The school was originally intended to provide an education for the orphans who lived in the Jewish Childrens Home (which was located where the Jewish Community Center is today), but it was open to children of all faiths. Now called Isidore Newman School, Mr. Newman's legacy has become one of the most respected college preparatory schools in the metro area.