The Backstreet Cultural Museum is a museum in

New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans

Tremé Tremé ( ) is a neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. "Tremé" is often rendered as Treme, and the neighborhood is sometimes called by its more formal French name, Faubourg Tremé; it is listed in the New Orleans City Planning Districts as Trem ...

neighborhood, founded by Sylvester Francis.

Museum

The museum's collections include objects relating to the African American culture of New Orleans with a special emphasis on

jazz funeral A jazz funeral is a funeral procession accompanied by a brass band, in the tradition of New Orleans, Louisiana. History The term "jazz funeral" was long in use by observers from elsewhere, but was generally disdained as inappropriate by most New ...

Mardi Gras Indians Mardi Gras Indians (also known as Black Masking Indians) are black carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel. Collectively, their organizations are called ...

, and second line parades sponsored by Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs. The museum contains many priceless artifacts of African-American culture in New Orleans, including elaborate, brightly colored suits worn by Mardi Gras Indians in previous years, and rare photos of Mardi Gras Indian "gangs" from the 1940s. The museum is also a clearing house for information about Mardi Gras Indian and second-line events and serves as the location for some events, including the annual White Buffalo Day ceremony and procession that goes to

Congo Square Congo Square (french: Place Congo) is an open space, now within Louis Armstrong Park, which is located in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, just across Rampart Street north of the French Quarter. The square is famous for its ...

. As of July 12, 2022, the hours are 10 am to 4 pm, and general admission to the museum is by a donation of $20 (referred to by Mr. Francis as a "cover charge"). As in many other museums, videos inside are prohibited but limited photography is allowed. In 2022, the museum moved to a new location at 1531 St. Philip St, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70116, from its previous location at 1116 St. Claude Avenue.

References

External links

Official websiteNational Geographic reporting on Backstreet Cultural Museum
African-American cultural history African-American history in New Orleans African-American museums in Louisiana Museums in New Orleans Tremé {{Louisiana-museum-stub