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The Historic New Orleans Collection
HNOC in the News

NOLA.com Names HNOC Historian Jari Honora as 2025 “Louisianan of the Year”

January 5, 2026

The family historian and certified genealogist received the honor for his work connecting the pope’s heritage to the state’s history and culture.

Jari Honora, HNOC Family Historian
NOLA.com / The Times Picyaune

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Further Reading

Check out our First Draft blog post about Jari’s discovery of Pope Leo XIV’s Louisiana heritage.

First Draft

From the French Quarter to the Vatican

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First Draft

What’s the Difference Between Cajun and Creole—Or Is There One?

First Draft

Reading Between the Lines of the Ursulines Nuns’ Prayer Books

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One of a series of images showing the front cover, endpapers, preface, and notation pages from the Ursuline Music Manuscript.

Ursuline Music Manuscript

This nearly-300-year-old songbook is the oldest known music manuscript in Louisiana history.

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Fortier Embroidery Sampler

A 200-year-old piece of needlework by a young student at the Ursuline Convent sheds light on the lives of Catholic Creole girls in early 19th-century Louisiana.

Allison “Tootie” Montana, big chief of the Yellow Pocahontas wearing an elaborate pink and orange feathered costume with detailed beadwork and intricate patterns stands confidently. The outfit includes a large headdress and symbolic designs across the chest and arms.

Michael P. Smith Collection

Smith documented the music, parading, and Black folk traditions of New Orleans for decades.

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A headshot of Daniel Hammer, President and CEO of the Historic New Orleans Collection. The museum's courtyard can be seen in the background.
HNOC in the News

WWL Radio: Daniel Hammer Discusses Pope Leo XIV and Upcoming Exhibitions

June 2, 2025
HNOC’s president and CEO went on the Newell Normand Show to talk about the organization’s role in discovering the ancestry of the new pope and much more.
A screen capture of HNOC historian Jari Honora appearing on CBS Mornings.
HNOC in the News

CBS Mornings: What to Know about Pope Leo XIV’s Ancestry

May 27, 2025
It was recently revealed that new pope has Louisiana Creole ancestry. Jari Honora, a family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection, made the discovery and joined “CBS Mornings Plus” to explain.
Dede and Basile
Announcement

New Orleans Jazz Museum to Screen Award-Winning Documentary Made with HNOC Support

March 17, 2026
“What We Can Know About Edmond and Basile” was named 2026 Humanity Documentary of the Year by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

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