First and foremost, this place is truly brilliant! As a lifelong New Orleans native, I thought I knew everything there was to know about the history of this incredible city. However, the Storyville Museum completely changed that in the best possible way. Despite my deep-rooted connection to New Orleans, I found myself discovering fascinating details that not only gave me a deeper understanding of the city but also helped me connect with myself in a new way.
Visually, the museum is absolutely stunning. Every corner, display, and artifact feels carefully chosen, and you can tell that a lot of thought went into how everything is arranged. The attention to detail is refreshing, from the way the exhibits are lit to the informative plaques that guide you through the story. It’s not just a collection of items; it’s a well-curated experience that takes you on a journey through time, bringing the rich history of Storyville to life in a meaningful and engaging way.
What truly stood out to me, however, was the chance to genuinely learn and grow. The museum offers an immersive experience that invites you to reflect on the city's history in ways you may never have considered before. It’s not just about viewing artifacts, but about connecting with the past, expanding your understanding, and broadening your perspective on New Orleans' cultural legacy. Even as a local, I found myself constantly discovering new layers of meaning, which made the experience truly resonate with me.
And, of course, the service was exceptional. From the moment I stepped through the door, the staff greeted me with warmth and politeness, creating a welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for the entire visit. Their enthusiasm for the museum's history was infectious and made the experience even more engaging.
The Storyville Museum is more than just a place to see historical artifacts—it’s an immersive experience. It’s a space where you can learn, have fun, and truly appreciate the culture and legacy of New Orleans. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, I can’t recommend this place enough. The Storyville Museum offers a rare opportunity to connect with the heart of New Orleans, and it’s an experience you definitely don’t want to miss. Despite having already visited, this place is so powerful that I’ll certainly be back with others so they, too, can appreciate the beauty and depth this exhibit...
Read moreI am a New Orleans local, and always enjoy museum experiences. My visit to the Storyville Museum piqued my interest, because it is a topic off the beaten path. My journey through the Storyville Museum was an enriching and amazing experience, for sure. The setup was comparable to other high end, finely curated museums, such as the World War II Museum, although not nearly as large, naturally. The museum started with a central theme, which was that "in order to understand Storyville, you must first understand New Orleans." So the very first part of the experience has nothing to do with Storyville, but New Orleans and its history, which lays the foundation for understanding how Storyville came into existence, and how the sex trade evolved. I won't ruin for you how this all fits together, but it does in a fascinating way, so you'll need to visit the museum to see for yourself. Additionally, I will say that the way the story is told, how the history unfolds, and the plethora of interesting original artifacts in the collection coalesce to ensure one will certainly be a good bit more enlightened by the end of the visit. Everything is presented very tastefully and objectively. There is nothing on display that could be considered raunchy or in poor taste. And for you history buffs out there, I believe there were 52 placards in total, explaining every step of the journey until the very end when Storyville was demolished and the sex trade was ended. There is enough historically accurate information to read through at the museum to keep you occupied for hours, if you choose to take a deep dive down that rabbit hole. I can't recommend a visit to the Storyville Museum enough, even for local New Orlenians, because I can promise you there will be new things learned about our beloved...
Read moreIf you think a museum about the storied red light district may make you blush, then you're probably right. Technically PG to PG13 throughout (what minimal nudity there is is very artistic but also easy to identify), but it also doesn't pull any punches. If you want a deeper understanding of the story of New Orleans, then it turns out this museum might be one of your best bets.
The museum make a strong case that sex workers were a fact of life from the very inception of the City. And it weaves together so many disparate elements: nuns, politics, race relations, jazz, women's rights, and world wars. And it's done in a very respectful, high quality way.
This is a great museum format. It's linear, telling the story on a logical timeline. It mixes multiple types of media, including standard museum plaques (but these are highly readable), logical ambiance music, videos, holograms (which look GREAT and were apparently utilized 150 years ago in the district), and various interactive features.
If you want to dig deep and become immersed, allow yourself 2-3 hours. One hour would be enough for a quick exploration of the main features. The target audience is certainly 18 and up; I'm not sure if there are any age...
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