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New Orleans, Orleans Parish / History

Congo Square

A historic open space in the Tremé neighborhood, Congo Square is celebrated as the birthplace of jazz and Creole music, where enslaved Africans once gathered for music and dance.

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What is Congo Square known for?

Congo Square is known as a historic social and cultural meeting ground for enslaved African Americans and free people of color. It is often considered the birthplace of New Orleans jazz and Creole music, as the communal activities and West African music and dance performed there greatly influenced these traditions.

Where is Congo Square located?

It is an open space located within Louis Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, situated just across Rampart Street north of the French Quarter.

What happens at Congo Square today?

The square remains a gathering space that hosts drum circles every Sunday, as well as festivals and political demonstrations. Additionally, the Congo Square Rhythms Festival is held each spring to celebrate the cultural legacy of early musicians.

What is the history of the square's name?

The square was renamed for Confederate general P.G.T. Beauregard in 1893. This name was revoked by a city ordinance in 2011, and the site was officially changed back to its more popular name, Congo Square.

Is Congo Square a protected historic site?

Yes, Congo Square was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

What should I check before going?

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

What to know

Congo Square is an open space located within Louis Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, just across Rampart Street north of the French Quarter. Originating in the late 1740s, the site served as a social and cultural meeting ground for the city's enslaved African American population. By 1815, it had become a well-known gathering place for enslaved Africans and free people of color from both the urban area and surrounding plantations. In 1817, legislation was passed that explicitly permitted enslaved African Americans to meet for dancing on Sundays. By 1819, these weekly Sunday gatherings attracted thousands of participants and onlookers. However, the city passed restrictive laws throughout the 19th century to repress these gatherings, including a 1835 restriction that prohibited enslaved Black individuals from playing drums or horns. For over a century, the communal activities at Congo Square gave rise to the greatest musical traditions of the United States: ragtime and jazz. The square is often considered the birthplace of New Orleans jazz and Creole music, as West African music and dance played here greatly influenced the development of these genres. The site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. Historically, the square was renamed for Confederate general P.G.T. Beauregard in 1893, but this name was revoked by a city ordinance in 2011, officially returning the square to its more popular name, Congo Square.

Visitor tips

  • Visit on a Sunday to potentially catch a drum circle, which are hosted every Sunday at the square.
  • Allow time to explore the rest of Louis Armstrong Park, as Congo Square is located within it.
  • Look for the plaque marking Congo Square to learn more about its historical significance.

Nearby context

Congo Square is situated in Tremé, which is widely described as the nation's oldest African American neighborhood, and is located just across Rampart Street from the French Quarter.

Sources

Evidence and links