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The Historic New Orleans Collection
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A free history museum and research center devoted to the people, places, and traditions of New Orleans and the Gulf South.

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Hours & Location Hours & Location

Museum: 520 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA
Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

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Holiday Hours

Admission Admission

Admission is free, but tickets are required. Stop by the front desk or reserve tickets online. Ticket covers admission to all exhibitions and certain daily programs.

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Contact Us Contact Us

Museum: (504) 523-4662 
Williams Research Center: (504) 598-7171
Mailing address: 533 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130

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Current Exhibitions

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American Revolution poster 1
Colonial Wars & Conflicts

American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition

March 20, 2026 to January 17, 2027
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Music & Musicians

New Orleans Musicians in Art: Selections from the Permanent Collection

November 4, 2025 to May 16, 2027
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A group of people sits at a diner counter. A woman drinks from a soda bottle, while another eats a burger. A man is smoking a cigarette. The counter is filled with plates and glasses, and the background shows shelves with various items.
The Civil Rights Movement

The Trail They Blazed (Traveling)

August 24 to September 25, 2026
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Illustration of a brown pelican perched on a branch with green leaves in the background. The bird has a long beak and distinctive brown, white, and yellow plumage. The botanical details add a naturalistic setting.
Land Loss & Climate Change

A Vanishing Bounty: Louisiana’s Coastal Environment and Culture

Ongoing
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French Quarter street scene showing at 710 Toulouse Street, and corner of shuttered building at 714 Toulouse, with a man walking along the street in the darkness, his shadow falling upon the wall. Shows cat beside colonnette supporting balcony, a street light, double doorway of the gateway, laundry hanging on second floor of 710 Toulouse, and ironwork balcony of 714 Toulouse. Shows partial view of balcony and building at corner of Toulouse and Royal Streets.
French Quarter Life

French Quarter Life: People and Places in the Vieux Carré

Ongoing
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Antique map of a city grid with detailed plots, streets, and buildings. It includes a compass rose and features ships sailing on the river at the bottom. The layout is intricate, showcasing a geometrically organized urban plan.
French Quarter Life

French Quarter Galleries

Ongoing
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Tours & Daily Programs

Get more out of your museum visit with a guided tour, Shortcut Talk, or daily program.

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A guide gestures towards a historical photograph on the wall while speaking to a man and a woman in a gallery setting. The wall has an exhibit description titled A Most Dreadful Visitation: Frederick Douglass and The 1887 Riot.
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Museum Admission is Always Free


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Latest News

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A press photograph of an inmate cell inside Orleans Parish Prison. Three Black men can be seen lying on metal rack beds and another man is partially visible lying on a cot on the ground. Newspapers, empty milk cartons, candy boxes, and cups can be seen on a shelf beneath the window.

HNOC Book “Captive State” Receives Southeastern Museum Conference Publication Award

The 2025 publication was awarded Second Place (Silver) by the SEMC Publications Competitions jury.
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Amanda McFillen, HNOC Director of Audience Engagement, speaking on NOLA Now about Museum Month activities happening now at the museum.

NOLA Now: HNOC Offering Free Tours and Special Perks During Museum Month

Organized by New Orleans & Company each August, members of participating local museums receive free access to all other participating institutions throughout the month.
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Bunny Matthews painting the set of Da Vic and Nat’ly Show, April 1985, photograph by Andrew Boyd.

New Orleans CityBusiness: Historic New Orleans Collection Opens Bunny Matthews Retrospective

The exhibition “Bunny Matthews: His Art, Life, and Obsessions” and its companion book will debut on September 18, 2026.
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HNOC Manger of Programs Amy Williams speaks on Fox 8 New Orleans.

WVUE: HNOC Presents 18th Annual New Orleans Antiques Forum this Weekend

Manager of Programs Amy Williams explores the objects and themes featured at this year’s forum, taking place August 7–9.
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Three people sit at a panel discussion. The man closest to the camera wears a cap and glasses, smiling while speaking. The middle person is smiling and wearing glasses. Nameplates in front of them read Levi Frazier, Jr. and Kerstin Schmidt.

Afar Media: HNOC’s Williams Research Center Named as New Orleans Literary Destination

HNOC’s partnership with the annual Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival received a top mention.
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Upcoming Events

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Saturday
September 12, 2026
1–3 p.m.

2026 Chess Club Meeting

Join HNOC’s free, all-ages Chess Club to learn more about the game and help plan future gatherings and events.
Chess Club, Students & Families
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Children are playing chess at a table covered with a blue cloth in a busy room. One child looks thoughtful while contemplating a move. Adults and other children are engaged in activities at surrounding tables.
Saturday
September 12, 2026
2–7:30 p.m.

French Quarter Bohemia, 1926

Explore the people, places, trends, and teeming social scene of early 20th-cenutry French Quarter bohemia with a day of fascinating talks and a 1920s-themed soirée.
Lecture, Live Music, Reception
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Illustration of the Brulatour Courtyard at 520 Royal Street in the French Quarter
Saturday
September 12, 2026
5–7:30 p.m.
French Quarter Bohemia, 1926

Swingin’ Soirée

Don your 1920s era attire and join us for a lively celebration of French Quarter bohemia with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and live period music.
Reception, Live Music
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A black and white photo of seven women in flapper costumes, between 1929 and 1940.
Wednesday
September 16, 2026
9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Member Preview: “Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions”

HNOC members are invited to preview our new exhibition exploring the legacy of New Orleans’s legendary writer and cartoonist.
Members Only
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Bunny Matthews portrait with Vic and Nat’ly taken in 1983
Saturday
September 19, 2026
10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Bunny Day

Join us for a daylong celebration of the life and work of legendary New Orleans cartoonist and writer Bunny Matthews.
Symposium, Reception
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An illustration of Bunny Matthew cartoon characters Vic and Nat'ly dancing.
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Research & Collections

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410 Chartres Street

Visit the Williams Research Center

Explore centuries of Gulf South culture with unparalleled access to rare documents, art, and historic treasures. Stop in or browse our online catalog.

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Online Catalog
A historic brick building with tall, arched windows and ornate stone details. The facade features a central sign with engraved text. Large doors and lantern-style lights flank the entrance. The structure is framed by neighboring buildings.

Collection Highlights

Explore historic artifacts from HNOC’s vault.

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Collection highlights

Louisiana Alphabet

Lexical illustrations from the godfather of the Historic New Orleans Collection

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Pen and ink drawing of three adult egrets hovering over a nest of young egrets. The nest and adults are standing on a bed of broken limbs and branches. The word "Egrets" is formed from broken branches.
Patent of nobility awarded to Bernardo de Gálvez by Carlos III of Spain, 1783.
Signature Collections

Bernardo de Gálvez Patent of Nobility

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A historic poster titled INFAMOUS! criticizes the conduct of officers and soldiers in New Orleans. It condemns harassment against local women and mandates respectful behavior. The message is issued by Maj. Gen. Butler.
Rare Books & Periodicals

Benjamin Butler’s Order No. 28

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Antique map of the Americas depicting sea monsters, ships, and detailed coastlines. Illustrative borders show people and mythical figures, hinting at 16th-century cartography style. Landmasses have Latin inscriptions with decorative compass roses.
Show-and-Tell

Historic Maps from “Cartographic Legacies”

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A vintage wooden dresser with four large drawers and ornate handles. It features a tall, rectangular mirror framed in the same wood, supported by two turned posts on either side. The dresser has a polished, dark wood finish.
Decorative Arts & Material Culture

Meeks Dresser

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A vibrant, crowded scene depicting a diverse group of people gathered in a lively setting. The backdrop features arches and draped curtains. The individuals are dressed in various colorful, eclectic styles, with expressions suggesting a festive atmosphere.
Artist Archives

Burning Orchid Nightclub

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A whimsical illustration of two cartoon characters. One has wild white hair, large glasses, and hoop earrings, while the other sports a pointy nose and striped shirt. They appear lively and eccentric against a bright yellow background.
Artist Archives

Bunny Matthews Archive

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A screenshot from a vintage color film shows part of a ship with the name "VERNON C. BAIN" written on the side.
Recent Acquisitions

“Vernon C. Bain” Christening Ceremony Video

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A painting of a man wearing sunglasses, playing a conga drum. He appears focused and is depicted in shades of green and blue. The text Alfred Uganda Roberts is visible in the bottom left corner.
Recent Acquisitions

Uganda Roberts Tape Collection

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First Draft

Visit the Blog Visit the Blog

Stories from the Historic New Orleans Collection

First Draft

The Big Freezy

Sweltering New Orleans played a pivotal role in the history of man-made ice.  

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A worker in an ice factory grips an ice block with tongs.
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FIRST DRAFT NEWSLETTER

New Orleans Stories,
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Publishing

Explore our popular books and quarterly magazine.

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Preorder Now

Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions

The bold personality of New Orleans’s legendary cartoonist and writer springs from the page in this first monograph of his work by Alison Fensterstock and Michael Tisserand.

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Book cover for "Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions."

History For Everyone

Dive into HNOC’s content, collections, and upcoming community events.

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Events

2026 Chess Club Meeting

September 12, 2026, 1–3 p.m.
Join HNOC’s free, all-ages Chess Club to learn more about the game and help plan future gatherings and events.
Register Register
Read More
Children are playing chess at a table covered with a blue cloth in a busy room. One child looks thoughtful while contemplating a move. Adults and other children are engaged in activities at surrounding tables.
Events

Fall 2026 Educator Open House

September 19, 2026, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
New Orleans-area educators are invited to learn about HNOC resources available to them and their students.
Register Register
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Educators participate in an Educator Open House event at HNOC. Teachers sit at desks in a classrom while listening to a faciliator.

Shop & Relax

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The Shop

Our award-winning museum shop offers gifts by local artists, HNOC books, merchandise inspired by objects from our holdings, and much more.

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The Café

Relax and recharge while enjoying a coffee or pastry in our historic and picturesque Brulatour Courtyard.

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Donate & Support

Become a member and support our mission.

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Become a Member

The Collection is for everyone! Get the most out of your visit to HNOC and find the membership level right for you.

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A man helps a young girl adjust her headphones at an interactive exhibit in a museum. They stand by a display with screens and audio equipment, focused on the experience. The background features informational plaques on the wall.
Events

Cheers to 60 Years! Presented by Ryan Gootee General Contractors

October 29, 2026, 6–9 p.m.
Join us in celebrating HNOC‘s 60th birthday with an unforgettable evening in the French Quarter.
Purchase Tickets Purchase Tickets
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An illustration of a pageant design entitled "Twelfth Night Revelers." Dancing champagne bottles, cakes, teacups and more are depicted.
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