Celebrating Black History in the Big Easy: Great New Orleans Spots to Visit Dhinesh Manuel February 12, 2024 Arts & History, Black History Month If you’re lucky enough to visit New Orleans anytime soon, be sure to delve into its vibrant African-American history so you can honor the city’s diverse heritage for Black History Month, which takes place in February. You can start by visiting historic neighborhoods and cultural centers that showcase the city’s African roots. Take time to learn about the undeniable influence of key figures in African-American history who made significant contributions to the city’s music, cuisine, and traditions. To help you immerse yourself into these inspiring experiences, we’ve come up with a little tour of the most significant and interesting places you can visit to pay homage to the Big Easy’s African heritage. Congo Square Congo Square by Jason Riedy licensed under CC BY 2.0 When in New Orleans, a visit to the vibrant Treme neighborhood is an absolute must if you want to immerse yourself in the city’s cultural history. Start your journey by exploring Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park, a true cornerstone of African-American heritage. Dating back to the French and Spanish colonial era, this location served as a crucial gathering place for both enslaved and free Africans. Every Sunday, amidst the challenges of slavery, they convened to celebrate their culture through music, dance, and commerce. It’s here that the distinctive rhythms and movements took root, shaping the essence of modern New Orleans music and culture. Many historians assert that Congo Square was the cradle of jazz, one of America’s most significant musical innovations. Every Sunday, the spirit of those gatherings still lives on, as performers honor the legacy of their ancestors through captivating performances. Don’t miss the chance to experience this vibrant tradition firsthand when you’re in town. Louis Armstrong Park New Orleans by Jeremy Thompson licensed under CC BY 2.0 While you’re in the Treme area, check out the beautiful park dedicated to good ol’ “Satchmo”… jazz trumpeter and music legend Louis Armstrong. The park’s origins stem from a tumultuous period in the 1960s when parts of the impoverished Treme area were demolished as part of an urban renewal project. Legal disputes ensued for nearly a decade until the city transformed the area into what is now Louis Armstrong Park. Admire the striking statue of Armstrong — crafted by Elizabeth Catlett — alongside sculptures honoring other influential New Orleans jazz pioneers like Sidney Bechet and Buddy Bolden. Beyond its artistic tributes, the park contains other significant spaces, such as the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, named after the renowned gospel star born in New Orleans whose soul-stirring music became a soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement. Want more on N’awlins roots music? Head to the Candlelight Lounge every Wednesday night to party with the legendary Treme Brass Band. If you want to dive in and enjoy traditional New Orleans jazz, visit Preservation Hall, which holds nightly concerts. Amistad Research Center Dedicated to documenting America’s ethnic and racial history and civil rights, the Amistad Research Center houses hundreds of manuscripts, rare documents, scholarly articles, photographs, African-American literature and art, and other historical artifacts. Initially established to archive records of the American Missionary Association — a fervent abolitionist group — the research center originated at Fisk University before finding a permanent home at Tulane University in 1987. Though primarily a research facility, the center welcomes visitors on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering free guided tours by appointment. Remember to schedule your Amistad Center tour in advance to make the most of your visit. For more insights into N’awlins’ Black history, be sure to grab a copy of The New Orleans Tribune, the city’s first African-American daily newspaper. First published around 1864 by Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez and revived in 1985, it continues to serve the African-American community. St. Augustine Catholic Church St Augustine Catholic Church by Mark Gstohl licensed under CC BY 2.0 Noted as the oldest African-American parish in the U.S. (opened in 1842), St. Augustine’s has a significant place in the black history of New Orleans. The church was founded by free people of color, who raised enough money and gained the necessary approvals to build it. On the church’s grounds, you can also see “The Tomb of the Unknown Slave,” dedicated to the unmarked graves of slaves. A strange competition ensued just before the church was to be dedicated. At a time when people had to pay for their seating arrangements in church, the white members of the congregation tried to out-buy the pews that were being bought up by the free people of color and their families. Eventually, the free people of color managed to out-buy the white congregation members, and even allocated the extra pews they had bought to slaves in what is considered the first recording of such an event in the history of U.S. slavery. This social and political movement that made St. Augustine’s one of the most integrated churches in the country at the time. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant dooky chase’s exterior by Krista licensed under CC BY 2.0 DEED If walking around New Orleans taking in these amazing sights and sounds has made you a little hungry, then stop by the iconic Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. You can sample some of the most authentic shrimp gumbo in town, made famous by the late “Queen of Creole Cuisine” — Leah Chase. Quite the activist during the Civil Rights era, Chase opened the restaurant’s upstairs room as a meeting place for Civil Rights lawyers such as Thurgood Marshall, A.P. Tureaud, and Lionel Collins, as well as freedom fighters like Rev. A.L. Davis, Rev. Avery Alexander, Oretha Castle Haley, and Rudy Lombard. Together with Martin Luther King, Jr., these brave individuals helped rid New Orleans of Jim Crow segregation. Want more classic N’awlins soul food? Head to two more of Treme’s famous eateries, Lil Dizzy’s Cafe for their étouffée, gumbo, and mac & cheese, and Willie Mae’s Scotch House for their (allegedly best-in-the-country) fried chicken with delicious sides. The Backstreet Cultural Museum Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Indians 4 by Derek Bridges licensed under CC BY 2.0 Of course, New Orleans is practically synonymous with Mardi Gras. To learn all about all the different aspects of New Orleans Mardi Gras — the jazz funerals, the various krewes, etc. — then head to the Backstreet Cultural Museum. You’ll discover a captivating collection of meticulously crafted Mardi Gras Indian costumes adorned with intricate beadwork and feathers, alongside rare photographs dating back to the 1940s. Founded by Sylvester Francis, the Backstreet Culture Museum offers an intimate glimpse into the city’s vibrant African-American community. Francis’s personal collection grew from his involvement in the Mardi Gras Indian tradition and his close ties with other cultural bearers in Treme. However, the museum really started to take shape when his friend Joan Brown Rhodes invited him to exhibit his collection at a building she owned on St. Claude Street. Rise early on Mardi Gras morning to join the museum’s breakfast event, offering a chance to mingle with various groups before they embark on their spirited parades through the streets. You May Also Like: Ready for Black History Month? Great Places to Explore African-American Culture Plessy v. Ferguson Historic Marker Plessy Vs. Ferguson memorial sign by John Seb Barber licensed under CC BY 2.0 In a rather inconspicuous location — right between Press and Royal Streets — you’ll see the Plessy v. Ferguson historic marker. It was right here that an African-American man named Homer Plessy was arrested on June 7, 1892. His crime? Sitting in the “whites only” section of the train he had just boarded. His act of defiance was a deliberate protest orchestrated by the Comité des Citoyens (Citizens’ Committee) against segregation laws. The subsequent court case saw Judge John Ferguson ruling against Plessy’s demand for equal seating, endorsing the divisive “separate but equal” doctrine. This ruling entrenched the Jim Crow segregation laws that plagued the South until their overturning in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954. This historic verdict declared that “separate but equal is inherently unequal,” paving the way for the dismantling of segregation across the United States. FAQs: Q: What are the operating hours for key cultural sites? A: Operating hours vary. For example, the Backstreet Cultural Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s best to check directly with each venue for the most accurate and current information. Q: Is there a cost to visit historical markers and sites? A: Many historical sites and markers, like the Plessy v. Ferguson historic marker, can be visited free of charge. Some locations, such as museums or cultural centers, may have an admission fee. Verify specifics with each site in advance. Q: Can I arrange for guided tours at historical churches and centers? A: Yes, guided tours are available at places like St. Augustine Catholic Church and the Amistad Research Center. Advance contact is recommended to schedule a visit and confirm availability. Q: When is the best time to visit for cultural events or performances? A: New Orleans hosts cultural events, performances, and festivals throughout the year. Louis Armstrong Park, for instance, often features events celebrating the city’s musical heritage. Checking event calendars for specific venues ahead of your visit is advisable. Q: How far in advance should I plan my visit to ensure access to guided tours and special events? A: Planning at least two weeks in advance is advisable, especially for guided tours of places like the Amistad Research Center, to secure your preferred date and time. For city-wide events or festivals, planning several months in advance may be necessary to accommodate high demand. Are there any other important African-American sites to visit in New Orleans? Let us know in the comments!
