Backstreet Cultural Museum
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Backstreet Cultural Museum offers a truly unique and deeply immersive dive into the vibrant African American and Native communities of New Orleans, specifically focusing on the elaborate artistry and cultural significance of Mardi Gras Indian suits. It stands out for its meticulously handcrafted collections, engaging first-hand historical narratives, and the passionate, knowledgeable staff who bring the rich heritage to life.
Key Highlights
- ✓Meticulously crafted and absolutely gorgeous Mardi Gras Indian suits and crowns, handmade with beads, feathers, and even red beans, showcasing extraordinary artistry and creativity.
- ✓Highly passionate, knowledgeable, kind, and friendly staff who provide engaging, lively, and relaxed first-hand descriptions and anecdotes that cannot be gleaned from books.
- ✓A deep and condensed historical context covering the origins within Native and Black communities, modern-day influences, and the heart of a major aspect of Mardi Gras.
- ✓Visually intriguing and informative exhibits that connect history, cultural connections, music, and community support.
- ✓Recently expanded with a third room upstairs, indicating growing exhibitions.
Standout Features
- ⭐Exceptional staff expertise and passion for the subject matter, leading to highly engaging and personalized talks.
- ⭐Unique and extensive collection of elaborate, handcrafted Mardi Gras Indian suits and crowns.
- ⭐In-depth cultural and historical insights into NOLA's African American and Mardi Gras heritage.
- ⭐Visually captivating exhibits that are 'astounding' and 'visually intriguing'.
- ⭐A recently opened third room upstairs, indicating new or growing exhibitions.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Treat yourself to some genuine time here; don't rush the visit as there's much to absorb and appreciate.
- →Don't miss the opportunity to visit if you are in NOLA, especially if you are in the Treme neighborhood.
- →Engage with the staff, as their first-hand descriptions and anecdotes are a highlight of the visit.
- →Be prepared to see 'suits, not costumes' – a significant distinction emphasized by reviewers for cultural appreciation.
Price & Value
$25 per person. Reviewers indicate it offers 'wonderful informative visit' and 'exceeded expectations,' suggesting high value for money given the unique cultural experience and depth of knowledge shared. No hidden costs were mentioned.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs or accessibility features were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned in reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific mentions of crowd levels, but the museum is described as a 'condensed space,' which could imply it might feel full with many visitors, though no negative reports of overcrowding were made.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Not mentioned in reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families with very young children (under 7-8 years old) who need active, hands-on, or highly interactive exhibits to stay engaged, as this is a viewing and learning museum.
- • If your family expects a typical 'Interactive Science Center' experience with experiments and physical play, as this venue is a cultural history museum.
- • If you are in a rush; allow ample time to fully appreciate the exhibits and the staff's insights.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Second Line Tour with Hollis
Not specified (contact for booking)Duration: Not specified
A deep dive into New Orleans’ lively spirit. Follow Hollis through vibrant neighborhoods where the Second Line tradition comes alive with brass bands, dancing, and joyful energy. Experience stories, local vibe, and the true heart of New Orleans. Experience a New Orleans Second Line Parade or Second Line Experience with a former 'King of Treme.'
Includes:
- •Brass bands
- •Dancing
- •Amazing stories
- •Local vibe
- •Encounter with cultural figures/performers decked out in brightly colored suits, sashes, hats, bonnets, parasols and banners
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Mardi Gras Day Open House
Annually on Mardi Gras Day
Not specified (implies general admission or may include a free 'Breakfast with the Bone Gang')
Starts at 8 a.m. with 'Breakfast with the Bone Gang.' Opportunity to catch Mardi Gras Indians in their new suits, the North Side Skull and Bone gang, Baby Dolls, musicians, and other culture bearers. Music and dances honor New Orleans’ cultural heritage.
All Saints Day Parade
Annually on All Saints Day (November 1st)
Not specified
An anniversary parade tradition of the museum, in honor of a beloved community member who has passed on. Features a mock jazz funeral with a brass band, horse-drawn carriage, and grand marshals moving through the streets of Faubourg Tremé.
Back to School Picnic
Annually on the Saturday before Labor Day
Not specified (provides school supplies)
In collaboration with the Mandingo Warriors 'Spirit of Fi Yi Yi' Mardi Gras Indians, provides over 250 youth with school supplies to prepare for the upcoming school year.
🍎Food Policy
- • Breakfast with the Bone Gang offered during Mardi Gras Day Open House.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • For Second Line Tour: Please wear shoes and be prepared to party.
📅Booking Policy
- • For Second Line Tour: Must contact Dominique Dilling at 504.657.6700 or ddilling@backstreetmuseum.org to confirm the booking date and time. No guarantee booking will be validated without calling to confirm.
- • For Guided Group Tours/School Field Trips: Contact for information on scheduling.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Katie Goellner
2 months agoThis was the part of my trip to NOLA that I was most looking forward to and it absolutely exceeded my expectations! The staff are so passionate and knowledgeable, the suits are so meticulously crafted and absolutely gorgeous to behold. I learned so much and have been raving to anyone who will listen about how this is not a place to miss. If I could give them all 10 stars, I would! Thank you all so much!!
Monique S
3 weeks agoso informative, visually intriguing, and steeped in history. everyone working there was kind and knowledgeable. would def recommend to anyone visiting nola and looking for things to do in treme.
Marjorie Henning
3 months agoNot to be missed! This museum hosts an astounding collection of elaborate suits and crowns all made by hand with beads, feathers, and even red beans. The artistry and creativity are extraordinary, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
baggett towers
3 weeks agoA wonderful informative visit to the Backstreet Cultural Museum. Please don't miss the opportunity to visit here if you are in NOLA. There was a very interesting talk given to us in the two downstairs rooms, the information shared was in a lively and relaxed manner- first hand descriptions, the type of anecdotes that you can't glean from a book. The suits (not costumes) need to be seen to be appreciated, every bead hand stitched. History, cultural connections, music, community support and much more are all here to be seen. $25 was all it costs. They have recently opened a third toom upstairs with the exhibitions growing. I've travelled from England and although I've seen much of what NOLA has to offer, this glimpse into the heritage, artifacts and collections of costumes to the importance of the NOLA African American culture was my favourite!! Just a beautiful place and wonderful staff. Treat yourself to some genuine time here.
Calvin Good
6 months agoThis place was absolutely incredible. It is such a condensed space filled with centuries of history that i never knew any inkling of before. From the origins within the native and black communities to the more modern day influences, would recommend EXTREMELY HIGHLY to anyone who wants to see the heart of a major aspect of Mardi Gras and the commu ities involved in it.