Hermes

Historical Timeline

~1936 ~

A group of prominent businessmen and civic leaders, concerned about the negative impacts of the Great Depression on New Orleans, began planning the first Hermes parade to attract tourists and boost the city’s morale. Hermes, the Greek god of commerce and travel, was selected as the appropriate symbol for the new krewe. A founding principle was that the krewe was a civic organization rather than a social one. Frank S. Oser, Sr., served as the krewe’s first captain.

A two-story wooden house with a porch on both levels. People are sitting on the second-floor porch, and laundry is hanging on a line. A woman and children are standing at the front steps, and a man is standing on the second-floor porch among others.

~1937~

Hermes parades for the first time on February 5th. Illuminated by flambeau bearers, the nighttime parade started at South Roman Street and Washington Avenue, then moved to Saint Charles Avenue and passed by City Hall (then located in Gallier Hall). The parade finished at the Municipal Auditorium, where the Grand Ball was held.

Black and white front page of the 1937 edition of The Times-Picayune newspaper, featuring coverage of the first Hermes Carnival parade.

~1938~

The second parade, themed Memories of Childhood, was met with great acclaim, in large part due to the use of colored neon lights outlining the floats, a landmark in Mardi Gras float design. This innovative feature, combined with the krewe’s open and community-focused approach to Mardi Gras, made Hermes popular in New Orleans.

Black and white photograph of a vintage newspaper front page from The Times-Picayune, dated Saturday, February 26, 1938. The main story features coverage of the second Hermes parade.

~1942 – 1945~

Because of America’s involvement in World War II, all Carnival celebrations were cancelled.

~1946~

Hermes returns with exuberance and celebration. Prose and Poetry was the theme for the 16-float parade. Judge Fred Oser stepped down as Captain and was succeeded by George M. Mellinger of the Whitney National Bank. 

~1948~

First Lady Bess Truman and her daughter Margaret watched the parade, themed Famous Rulers of History, from their suite’s window at the Roosevelt Hotel.

Two women smiling and talking at a gathering, one wearing a hat and the other with a 'Trump' campaign button on her dress.

~1949~

With the theme Tales from Shakespeare, the last Hermes parade floats pulled by mules rolled. The krewe used mules that pulled the city’s sanitation wagons, but when the city switched to trucks the next year, the mules were no longer available. 

Historical black-and-white photograph of a crowded street scene with a large crowd of people and an elaborate statue or monument in the center, surrounded by ornamental fencing. People are holding umbrellas, possibly indicating rain, and some are walking or standing near a building with signs, including

~1950~

Hugh M. Wilkinson assumed office as the fourth Captain after Mr. Mellinger's death. 

~1954~

Hermes officially adopted a policy of selecting a theme for both the parade and the ball. Additionally, that year, the first Past Hermes Kings’ Club held its inaugural dinner with nine of the past eleven kings and their wives attending. 

Black-and-white press photo of the Mystic Krewe of Hermes King in 1957.

~1957~ Press Photo. Original caption: KING HERMES SALUTES US! The god of travel and commerce reigned like Kublai Kahn in the Mardi Gras City Friday night, leading his 16-float parade down Canal before ever-mounting Carnival Crowds (March 3, 1957)

~1958~

Although rain canceled the parade, the ball was notable for the appearance of glamorous Hollywood actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, who was accompanied by Rafael Trujillo, the son of the Dominican Republic’s president. The reaction, as reported in the local press, was enthusiastic.

A black and white photo of a couple dancing at a formal event, with the woman smiling and the man singing or talking while holding her close.

~1962~

The front axle of Float 7 broke during the parade, and since then, it has been commemorated with an annual Broken Axle Dinner.

A black and white photo of a Hermes parade float with the King of Mystic Krewe of Hermes toasting his Queen in 1962.

~1962~ Press Photo.Original Caption: Wide-awake Hermes Greets His Loyal Subjects.

~1973~

Maritime executive Michael M. Smith takes over as the fifth Captain.

~1992~

Alton F. Doody, Jr. was elected as the sixth Captain of Hermes. Facing a decline in membership, Mr. Doody added more than 100 members during his first year in office. That year also marked the end of the parades of the Krewes of Comus, Momus, and Proteus, making Hermes the oldest continuous New Orleans night parade. 

~2004~

The Hermes Grand Ball was held on the Thursday night before the Friday parade for the first time. Another first was the Walking Parade, held after a series of festive luncheons in the French Quarter. By then, membership had grown to nearly 600 members, and the Evening Parade featured 25 floats.

~2005~

James J. Coleman, Jr. was elected the seventh Captain of Hermes. Under Mr. Coleman’s leadership, Henri Schindler was recruited to serve as the krewe's artistic director.

Mystic Krewe of Hermes - James J. Coleman, Jr. captain

~2007~

The Times-Picayune named Hermes the Best Night Parade and Best Overall Parade of the season, with the citation: “Hermes strives to set new standards for artistry and originality while adhering to old school traditions, and this year it succeeded as never before.”

A water tower with a circular top displaying the text 'ONE TIMES-PIC', against a cloudy sky.

~2009~

The Hermes Bar opened in the historic French Quarter restaurant Antoine’s. The bar displayed Krewe photos and memorabilia.

A hanging sign for the Hermes Bar of the restaurant Antoine's in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

~2014~

Hermes celebrated its 75th anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum’s Presbytere. The show showcased artifacts, costumes, and ball gowns. A commemorative book, Krewe of Hermes – In the Tradition by Henri Schindler, was published. 

Display of two vintage wedding dresses and a large, ornate wedding train in a museum exhibit, with a black-and-white wedding scene mural in the background.

~2025~

The New Orleans City Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring that “the Friday before Mardi Gras Day shall henceforth be known as ‘Hermes Friday.'" The resolution cited the krewe’s civic, economic, and historic contributions to the city, along with its philanthropic efforts and emphasis on both traditional and innovative float designs. 

A festive crowd celebrates Hermes Friday in the French Quarter in New Orleans.