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Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme
Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme
Barry Solow, Wikimedia Commons

Six Museums and Exhibits to visit in NOLA on, before, and after the MLK Holiday

Activities, exhibits for both children and adults

By Eric Craig
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Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme
| Barry Solow, Wikimedia Commons
By Eric Craig

January 16, 2017, marks the 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. While the City of New Orleans and other organizations have planned Martin Luther King Jr. inspired events, it leaves much to do in the spirit of the holiday.

In a time that promotes service and reflection, here is a list of African-American-centered museums to visit before, on or after the MLK Jr. holiday in New Orleans.

The list of museums have admission prices that vary from free to $15 per person.

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Ashe Cultural Arts Center

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Starting Wednesday, January 11, the Ashé Cultural Arts Center will hold National Conference of Artists Exhibition and Student Exhibition. The exhibition is open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. On Saturday, January 14, a special wine-and-cheese opening event for the exhibition will take place at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.A dmission to the exhibit is free on all days, including the official opening event. The center is closed on the MLK holiday.

A photo posted by Jimmy Shelton (@wytefangg) on

1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

The Backstreet Cultural Museum

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Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a jewel located in the oldest African-American neighborhood in New Orleans. The Backstreet Cultural Museum hosts a variety memorabilia significant to African-American and New Orleans History. From Mardi Gras Indian costume collections to reading on Jazz Funerals, traditions of all kind can be found here. Admission is $10 per person.The musum is closed on Mondays.

A photo posted by @mghmghmghm on

1116 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Louisiana Children Museum

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From Wednesday January 12 to to Monday, January 16, 2017, excluding Saturday, the Louisiana Children’s Museum will host its “Celebration of Dreams.” The museum will facilitate daily special programming and collaborative crafts and activities. Regular admission applies, at $8.50 per person (adults and Children).


The LCM program will begin at 9:30 a.m and end at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and Monday. On Sunday, the museum’s program will start at 12 p.m. and end at 4 p.m.

A photo posted by Carla Gordon (@carlargordon) on

420 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum

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The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday serves as a reflection on how far neighborhoods, cities, states and the nation has progressed. In light of that reflection, reviewing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is also important.

The Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum tells the story of over 60 local residents and their experience living in the Lower Ninth Ward before and after Hurricane Katrina. 



The six room exhibit is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free.

1235 Deslonde St, New Orleans, LA 70117

George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art

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One way to celebrate this Holiday weekend is to experience it through art. The George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art collects local, national and international art and exhibits created by various individuals in the African Diaspora.

The museum is open by appointment only. Admission is $10 per person. Students and senior admission is $7.

2003 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Le Musée de f.p.c.

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The Le Musee de f.p.c (free people of color) is a historic home museum that showcases the culture and history of free people of color in New Orleans from pre-civil war to post civil-rights. Admission to the museum is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday at 1 p.m. by appointment only. Larger groups can request tours outside of designated appointment times.

A photo posted by Crystal D Paull (@cpaullatx) on

2336 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
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Ashe Cultural Arts Center

1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Starting Wednesday, January 11, the Ashé Cultural Arts Center will hold National Conference of Artists Exhibition and Student Exhibition. The exhibition is open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. On Saturday, January 14, a special wine-and-cheese opening event for the exhibition will take place at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.A dmission to the exhibit is free on all days, including the official opening event. The center is closed on the MLK holiday.

A photo posted by Jimmy Shelton (@wytefangg) on

1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

The Backstreet Cultural Museum

1116 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116
Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a jewel located in the oldest African-American neighborhood in New Orleans. The Backstreet Cultural Museum hosts a variety memorabilia significant to African-American and New Orleans History. From Mardi Gras Indian costume collections to reading on Jazz Funerals, traditions of all kind can be found here. Admission is $10 per person.The musum is closed on Mondays.

A photo posted by @mghmghmghm on

1116 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Louisiana Children Museum

420 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130
From Wednesday January 12 to to Monday, January 16, 2017, excluding Saturday, the Louisiana Children’s Museum will host its “Celebration of Dreams.” The museum will facilitate daily special programming and collaborative crafts and activities. Regular admission applies, at $8.50 per person (adults and Children).


The LCM program will begin at 9:30 a.m and end at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and Monday. On Sunday, the museum’s program will start at 12 p.m. and end at 4 p.m.

A photo posted by Carla Gordon (@carlargordon) on

420 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum

1235 Deslonde St, New Orleans, LA 70117
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday serves as a reflection on how far neighborhoods, cities, states and the nation has progressed. In light of that reflection, reviewing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is also important.

The Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum tells the story of over 60 local residents and their experience living in the Lower Ninth Ward before and after Hurricane Katrina. 



The six room exhibit is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free.

1235 Deslonde St, New Orleans, LA 70117

George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art

2003 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
One way to celebrate this Holiday weekend is to experience it through art. The George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art collects local, national and international art and exhibits created by various individuals in the African Diaspora.

The museum is open by appointment only. Admission is $10 per person. Students and senior admission is $7.

2003 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Le Musée de f.p.c.

2336 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
The Le Musee de f.p.c (free people of color) is a historic home museum that showcases the culture and history of free people of color in New Orleans from pre-civil war to post civil-rights. Admission to the museum is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday at 1 p.m. by appointment only. Larger groups can request tours outside of designated appointment times.

A photo posted by Crystal D Paull (@cpaullatx) on

2336 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119