In 1988, photographer Sylvester Francis began displaying his Mardi Gras images and memorabilia in his garage in the back streets of the Tremé neighborhood. Today the museum is one of the foremost museums of New Orleans’ African-American parade and cultural traditions, drawing visitors from around the world. It's featured on self-guided audio tours and on walking tours of the city and is a good place to learn about African-American history and heritage in New Orleans.
The museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in costumery, Mardi Gras traditions, or African-American heritage.
Discount admission is available for local residents, seniors, veterans, and children 12 and under.
You can arrange special tours and group visits to the museum, with advanced notice.
The Backstreet Cultural Museum is located in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, just southeast of Interstate 10 and a couple of blocks from Louis Armstrong Park. It's about a 15- to 20-minute walk or a 5- to 10-minute drive from most parts of the French Quarter, while from the Garden District, it takes closer to 15 minutes by taxi or 45 minutes by public transportation.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday. While Saturdays can get weekend crowds, the museum also offers weekday field trip visits, so there's no specific day to go to beat the crowds. Check directly with the museum for details about special events.
A few blocks from the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Louis Armstrong Park is Congo Square, where enslaved African-Americans would gather on Sunday afternoons in the 18th and 19th centuries. Drumming, dancing, and singing gatherings held at the square helped lay the groundwork for musical traditions such as New Orleans jazz and rhythm and blues. Sculptures in the square honor its history.
