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A black and whit ephoto of two women seated near a Louisiana waterway with binoculars.
Two women seated near a waterway with binoculars, by Eugene A. Delacroix. HNOC, gift of Joel Jergins and Mrs. Eugene Delcroix, courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art, 1984.189.4514 

Learn & Explore

History is for everyone. Find resources for learners of all ages, from podcasts and videos to lesson plans and family activities.

Learn & Explore

Students & Families

Explore activities and programs for kids of all ages.

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A view of two visitors exploring "The Trail They Blazed" exhibition at HNOC.
Two young children sit opposite of one another engaged in a game of Chess.

Chess Club

Explore HNOC’s all-ages club for chess lovers.

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A group of people sits around a wooden table examining large black-and-white photos. The setting appears to be a library or study room with large windows and an American flag in the background. The floor has a patterned carpet.

Student Writing Contest

Learn about HNOC’s annual student writing contest and read winning submissions from previous years.

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A Derven Scholar intern works at a desk at the Historic New Orleans Collection.

Derven Scholars

Paid internships for college students interested in museum education

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Learn & Explore

For Educators

Learn more about field trips, lesson plans, workshops, and other opportunities for K–12 educators.

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A teacher guides two students who are writing on clipboards in a museum. They are examining an exhibit with photographs and text on the wall. The group is focused and engaged in the educational activity.
A woman points at an installation at HNOC's "The Trail They Blazed" exhibition. Children are gathered around her.

Field Trips

Learn about how to schedule a free, staff-curated visit to HNOC for K-12 students.

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A group of people view an exhibit in a gallery featuring a large historical illustration and several framed documents. A guide discusses the display, which includes a quote about shame and humiliation in a prison setting.

Lesson Plans

Explore lesson plans, primary sources, and activities for specific subjects and grade levels.

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A group of people stand around a table covered with various artworks and objects in a gallery. One person points at a framed item while others observe closely. They wear name tags and seem engaged in a discussion. Paintings hang on the walls behind them.

Teacher Advisory Council

Join HNOC’s annual cohort of educators and help shape initiatives that go beyond the museum to reach thousands of students.

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A group of children and a woman gather on the steps outside a brick building. The children are playing and smiling, with some sitting while others stand. One girl is holding a jump rope. The scene conveys a sense of community and camaraderie.

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Architecture & Urban Development Black History & Culture Slavery & Its Legacies Environment & Ecology Local Life & Culture Government, Policy, & Politics War & Military Conflict New Orleans Arts & Media Commerce & Trade Gulf South Identities

First Draft

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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.
1955 19e cropped
First Draft Newsletter

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Watch & Listen

Enjoy videos, podcasts, archival footage, oral histories, and more from HNOC.

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Three men operate vintage television cameras and equipment in a studio. Two men stand behind large film cameras on tripods, while the third adjusts a boom microphone. They wear headphones and classic 1950s attire.
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Historical Hotties Bracket Bash

Vote on the biggest heartthrobs from HNOC’s holdings!

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A vintage photo of three women in bathing suits siting in front of a Colombia microphone at the beach.
Three boys in casual clothing sit on a large tree branch, smiling and looking at the camera. The background shows a brick building and more children playing in the open area. The image is in black and white.

TriPod

A podcast finds new angles on 300 years of New Orleans history, coproduced by HNOC and New Orleans Public Radio, WWNO 89.9 FM.

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Three people sit inside a diner. From left to right: a man in a white shirt and cap, a man in a dark jacket and hat, and an elderly woman in a dress with a cane. They are seated around a small table with chairs. The setting is cozy and vintage.

Oral History

HNOC’s oral history program preserves diverse personal narratives, fostering a richer collective memory through interviews and vignettes. 

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A black and white photo shows three children sitting on a tiled floor, watching a wooden console TV. One child holds a baby in their lap, while another sits nearby. The room is modestly furnished, with light coming through a window on the left.

HNOC on YouTube

Our YouTube channel is a rich resource for archival footage, recordings of past programs, and much more. Check out highlights from the channel below and be sure to subscribe!

Watch & Subscribe
A man and a child interact with a digital display featuring historical jazz images and information. A large black-and-white mural of a jazz band is visible in the background.
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Community Projects & Resources

Explore resources developed in partnership with community organizations, including heirloom conservation guides, local histories, and annual events.

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A group of children and a teacher gather around a table, looking at a photo album. The classroom setting is colorful, with educational posters on the walls. The children appear engaged and curious.

Caring for Your Collection

Explore in-person and online workshops with museum professionals to help you preserve your family heirlooms, research your genealogy, and more.

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Genealogy Resources

Our experts at the Williams Research Center are available to help you dive into your family history.

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Dancing in the Streets: Social Aid & Pleasure Club Narratives

Told in the voices of the interviewees themselves, new narratives shed light on the lineages of parading organizations and the neighborhood traditions and practices of second-line parades.

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NOLA Resistance

Explore our oral history project featuring testimony from individuals who were active in the fight for racial equality in New Orleans between 1954 and 1976.

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Research

Online Catalog

Search or browse HNOC’s vast collections of photos, manuscripts, artifacts, books, artwork, and more in our online catalog.

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A painting of a woman with a red headscarf and bare shoulders against a dark background. She is wearing a white garment and seated with one hand resting on her knee, looking directly at the viewer.
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