The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. During summer hours (mid-June to mid-August), it is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm; it is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

How much does it cost?

General admission is $25 for adults and $20 for seniors, locals, veterans, and students. Children ages 12–16 are $15, ages 6–12 are $10, and children ages 0–5 are free.

Are there discounts for groups?

Yes, group rates for 5 or more people are $20 per person. Large groups may also receive up to 2 free chaperones.

Yes, the museum provides guided tours for school field trips and individual visitors of all ages. Admission is also tiered for children, with those ages 0–5 entering for free.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Backstreet Cultural Museum in New Orleans

Backstreet Cultural Museum

A vibrant community-led museum in Faubourg Tremé documenting the African American parading and masking traditions of New Orleans, featuring an extensive collection of costumes and artifacts.

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What is the Backstreet Cultural Museum known for?

The museum is known for housing the largest and most comprehensive collection documenting New Orleans' African American community-based masking and processional traditions. It features costumes, artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, and films related to living folklife traditions such as Mardi Gras Indians, jazz funerals, Baby Dolls, and Skull and Bone gangs.

What to know

The Backstreet Cultural Museum is a cornerstone of the historic Faubourg Tremé neighborhood, serving as a living archive of New Orleans' African American parading arts. Founded by Sylvester Francis, the museum officially opened in 1999, though its origins date back thirty years prior to when Francis began documenting and collecting materials from jazz funerals, second lines, and the city's unique masking traditions. It is widely regarded as a neighborhood cultural library where community members gather to preserve and share knowledge about the city's tangible culture. The museum's collection is the largest and most comprehensive of its kind, housing an array of costumes, memorabilia, photographs, and films. These exhibits document living folklife traditions, including the elaborate suits of the Mardi Gras Indians, the regalia of Skull and Bone gangs, and the attire of Baby Dolls, as well as the history of Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs. The museum's mission is to educate wider audiences about the African American cultural legacy of New Orleans through these artifacts. Resilience is a key part of the museum's story. Originally located at 1116 St. Claude Street, the facility was damaged by Hurricane Ida in August 2021. In July 2022, the museum moved to its current location at 1531 St. Philip Street, just a few blocks away, ensuring that the city's cultural treasures remain accessible to the public. The museum also serves as a hub for community engagement. It hosts an annual All Saints Day parade every November and an annual Mardi Gras Open House breakfast. Through public programming and guided tours for individuals and school field trips, the museum continues to strengthen neighborhood spirit and promote a deep understanding of the city's living traditions.

Visitor tips

Adult admission is $25, but group rates of $20 per person apply for parties of 5 or more.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday; it is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Be aware that videos are prohibited inside the museum, though limited photography is allowed.
Check the official website for summer hours, as they shift to 10 am to 3 pm from mid-June to mid-August.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of Faubourg Tremé, the museum is a pillar of one of the oldest African American neighborhoods in the United States, surrounding itself with the living traditions it documents.

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