Backstreet Cultural Museum
The Backstreet Cultural Museum is a museum in New Orleans, Louisiana's Tremé neighborhood, founded by Sylvester Francis.
Museum
The museum's collections include objects relating to the African American culture of New Orleans with a special emphasis on jazz funerals, Mardi Gras Indians, and second lines parades sponsored by Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs. The museum contains many priceless artifacts of African-American culture in New Orleans, including elaborate, brightly colored suits worn by Mardi Gras Indians in previous years, and rare photos of Mardi Gras Indian "gangs" from the 1940s.
The museum is also a clearing house for information about Mardi Gras Indian and second-line events and serves as the location for some events, including the annual White Buffalo Day ceremony and procession that goes to Congo Square. Admission to the museum is by a donation of $10 (referred to by Mr. Francis as a "cover charge"), although hours are said to be somewhat sporadic. As in many other museums, videos inside are prohibited but limited photography is allowed.
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References
- Official website
- National Geographic reporting on Backstreet Cultural Museum
- New York Times New Orleans travel destinations
Coordinates: 29°57′53″N 90°03′58″W / 29.964652°N 90.066092°W