Backstreet Cultural Museum

Visitors will find an amazing assortment of local African American cultural traditions in this museum housed in the old Blandin Funeral Home. It contains the city’s largest collection of Mardi Gras Indian costumes, along with an enormous collection of still photos and video footage of Mardi Gras Indians, Jazz Funerals and secondlines.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation

The Foundation’s mission is: “To promote, preserve, perpetuate and encourage the music, arts, culture and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs and other cultural, educational, civic and economic activities.” In addition to the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Foundation also
presents year round events, community programs and hosts special exhibits in its Gallery space.

New Orleans African American Museum

The museum is housed in the Tremé Villa, and is dedicated to protecting, preserving and promoting through
education the history, art and communities of African Americans in New Orleans and the African diaspora.
In addition to the art collections, the grounds of the museum contain significant and restored historical buildings including the Villa Meilleur, living quarters of enslaved Africans, and the Passebon Cottage. The cottage was constructed in 1843 by Charles Passebon and is a classic example of a Creole Cottage. It is often said that Marie Laveau, the infamous Voodoo priestess, resided here but that may be urban lore.

Major Funding for this project provided by the Nathan Cummings Foundation, with additional support from Tourism Cares, the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation and Project Weed & Seed.