Backstreet Cultural Museum – New Orleans, Louisiana - Atlas Obscura
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Backstreet Cultural Museum

New Orleans, Louisiana

The greatest collection of New Orleans masking and processional traditions covering everything from Baby Dolls to Skull and Bone gangs.  

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Courtesy of Backstreet Cultural Museum
Courtesy of Backstreet Cultural Museum
Courtesy of New Orleans & Company
Courtesy of Backstreet Cultural Museum
Courtesy of New Orleans & Company
Courtesy of New Orleans & Company
Courtesy of New Orleans & Company
Courtesy of New Orleans & Company
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The Backstreet Cultural Museum holds the world’s most comprehensive collection related to New Orleans’ Black community-based masking and processional traditions, including the Mardi Gras Indians, jazz funerals, social aid and pleasure clubs, Baby Dolls, and Skull and Bone gangs.

The museum’s filmed records of over 500 events constitute the most cohesive archive documenting these cultural traditions. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Backstreet Cultural Museum hosts public performances of music and dance, provides outreach programs, and creates an annual book, Keeping Jazz Funerals Alive, that chronicles the year’s jazz funerals. 

Overall, this is a great place to learn more about the Black community in New Orleans and their celebration traditions, including the Second Line, jazz funerals and Mardi Gras organizations.

 

Know Before You Go

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $10.00.

jazz black history museums and collections
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