Backstreet Cultural Museum — Attraction in New Orleans

When you come to New Orleans this is a must visit to learn the true history of Mardi Gras, not the one everyone thinks of, the drunken out of control party but the one that's about black culture and family. Come here for the real history. Talk with Mr. Sylvester, a long time resident of The Treme. He is the one who is essential in making this museum happen, and his daughter is also there to keep it going. He is a human treasure trove of stories and loves sharing his knowledge and reflections. The meaning of Mardi Gras is not about being a sloppy drunken fool but to be creative, and to be what and who ever you want to be. If you want to be a man, dress as one; if you want to be a woman, be it. He says this culture started as a thank you to Native Americans for allowing escaped enslaved people safe harbor and freedom from the cruelty of chattel slavery, and the torture of white slavers and overseers. I'm adding my two cents here: while he says that most of the black folk are not indians, I've actually heard that there were plenty of black Indians in this region who are a part of this, and that many of the indigenous peoples in this area were copper colored people who were and are black, some with African ancestry, others with indigenous North American ancestry like the Washitaw and the Tuscaloosa, black indians/black indigenous. Regardless, make sure you stop by and take the tour. It's worth it and the entry fee goes to a good cause. Let's keep this history alive. And remember what Mr. Sylvester says, Mardi Gras is about being who and what...

The Backstreet Cultural Museum has the most one-of-a-kind collections I’ve ever seen: massive, gorgeous suits made of layers upon layers upon layers of hand-threaded beadwork, feathers, masks, and flags. These suits are made and worn each year by the Mardi Gras Indians – men paying tribute to their unique culture born of enslaved ancestors who escaped the New Orleans slavers’ reach and made new lives in indigenous communities. Each suit is made entirely by hand – bead by bead, feather by feather, seam by seam – worn on a handful of special occasions (Mardi Gras, St. Joseph’s Day) – and then never again.

You can’t see the Mardi Gras Indians’ recklessly splendid suits in the Met Gallery, or the National Gallery, or the Art Institute of Chicago, or the Palais Galliera. They don’t have them. Nor do they have the stories of the men who make and wear them to represent their tribes. And they certainly don’t have docents ready to teach you about this living, breathing culture that raises up the community in ways that Bourbon Street’s Mardi Gras never could. These things can only be accessed on the streets during Mardi Gras or in this museum.

Any Best of New Orleans guide or tour that doesn’t include the Backstreet Cultural Museum is just wrong. And it’s so easy to get to: just a hop, skip and a jump from Louis Armstrong Park on the south side of Tremé. Just be sure to get there before 4pm when they close for the day, and take your time going through the collection. The closer you look, the more there is to...

My daughter, Mom and I recently visited the Backstreet Cultural Museum which is located in the Treme area. We found out that the Treme is the oldest African-American neighborhood in the United States. The Backstreet Cultural Museum has beautiful and intricate memorabilia only from Mardi Gras, jazz funerals and traditions you will only find in New Orleans. All 3 of us were amazed by the costumes designs - their colors, beading , intricate details, the designers and hours they put into them. They were each made by people living in the community! Before coming here, we had never heard of the Mardi Gras Indians. We learned about their history and connection to African Americans in the south and dedicate how they sought safety in the south. This museum and tour was a great history lesson for all of us. Our tour guide was exceptional, with a wealth of historical knowledge that added depth to the exhibits. The museum personnel were friendly and welcoming, making the visit a pleasant one for families. It was a great experience overall, and I highly recommend this museum to anyone interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of African Americans and the Mardi Gras Indians as well as their...