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James Booker with an afro, wearing an eye patch, smiles while playing a piano on stage. A crowd of people watches in the background, with a microphone and a can on the piano. The scene is in black and white.

Collection Highlights

Dive into the Collection’s holdings with image-rich previews of treasures from New Orleans history.

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Collection highlights

Polo Silk Photographs

His party pics captured the New Orleans music scene when Cash Money Records and New Orleans rap were on the precipice of worldwide fame.

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Juvenile and Polo Silk, between 1992 and 1999.

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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.

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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.

Meeks Dresser

A fine example of early 19th-century furniture, this dresser has a hidden drawer.

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Signature Collections

A person stands outdoors, holding a translucent fabric over their head against a textured wall. The shadow casts an intricate pattern on the wall. A potted plant and some grass are visible in the foreground.
Signature Collections

Clarence John Laughlin Archive

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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.
Signature Collections

Michael P. Smith Collection

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An 18th-century harbor scene with ships docked along the shore. People walk and ride horses near the water. Buildings line the waterfront, and a fenced garden is in the foreground. A cow grazes in the field. The scene is pastoral and bustling.
Signature Collections

Robert R. Livingston’s Louisiana Purchase Letter

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Portrait of a woman with dark hair, wearing a black dress with a white collar. She is seated, holding a small object in her left hand, against a plain background. Her expression is calm and composed.
Signature Collections

Cane River Collection

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A detailed sketch depicts a historic, multi-story building with ornate iron balconies, a lamppost on the street, and a person standing in the foreground. The artwork captures an architectural essence and street scene ambiance.
Signature Collections

Antoine’s Restaurant Collection

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Five children of diverse backgrounds kneel on grass, looking at a glowing star in the night sky. They wear colorful attire representing different cultures. The scene conveys unity and wonder.
Staff Picks

Christmas Card to Tessie, Leona, Ruby, and Gail

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An elderly man stands in a dimly lit room holding a small blue and white bird in one hand. He is wearing a light-colored shirt and dark pants. Cardboard boxes are stacked in the background.
Signature Collections

William Russell Jazz Collection

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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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Artist Archives

A round button with a blue background features a pink triangle and the text I'm straight. But not narrow. printed in black letters.
Recent Acquisitions

Andrée Loisel Collection

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A city street is heavily flooded, with water reaching building heights. People gather on a section of dry road in the foreground. The skyline of a city with high-rise buildings is visible in the background, partially obscured by mist.
Artist Archives

7:28AM August 30, 2005

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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.
Signature Collections

Michael P. Smith Collection

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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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Recent Acquisitions

Bob Kaufman Broadside Poems

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Demented Women promotional photo, from the Rooster no. 28, 1988.
Recent Acquisitions

Mario Dipietrantonio Collection

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Watercolor painting of a solemn sailor in uniform beside a grave with a cross. The headstone reads, In honor of those who served, and lists several names. The artwork is abstract with muted colors and blurred edges.
Artist Archives

La Famil[l]e de Pajaud

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Black and white portrait of Leigh Harris with short hair, resting their head on their hand. They are looking directly at the camera, wearing a dark top and a hoop earring. The background is split into light and dark sections.
Artist Archives

Leigh “Little Queenie” Harris Collection

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Staff Picks

Five children of diverse backgrounds kneel on grass, looking at a glowing star in the night sky. They wear colorful attire representing different cultures. The scene conveys unity and wonder.
Staff Picks

Christmas Card to Tessie, Leona, Ruby, and Gail

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A vintage military drum featuring an eagle with a U.S. shield, surrounded by stars and decorative elements. The drum has worn red and blue paint, with rope tensioning and wooden rims, showing signs of age and use.
Staff Picks

Jordan Noble Drum

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A close-up of an ancient artifact showcasing intricate circular engravings with faded symbols and a star design. The piece is metallic with a worn, darkened surface, suggesting historical significance.
Staff Picks

Ursuline Communion Wafer Iron

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A vintage sheet music cover titled The Mysterious Axmans Jazz (Dont Scare Me Papa). It shows a chaotic scene with musicians playing and a startled woman at a piano. Two inset portraits are at the bottom.
Staff Picks

The Mysterious Axman’s Jazz

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Etching of a courtyard in New Orleans by Louis Conrad Rosenberg. The scene features tables, chairs, a large tree, a fountain at the center, and buildings in the background. There are people seated and walking, adding a lively atmosphere to the setting.
Staff Picks

The Court of Two Sisters

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Colorful vintage poster titled Always for Pleasure features a person in an elaborate costume with feathers and intricate detailing. The person is smiling broadly and surrounded by bold, stylized text and artistic embellishments.
Staff Picks

Vintage Tipitina’s Posters

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A vintage illustration of a woman in a long dress sitting on a rustic bench in a garden. She holds a patterned shawl and gazes upwards. The scene is surrounded by lush foliage and a woven fence, creating a peaceful, nostalgic atmosphere.
Staff Picks

Les lys et les roses

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A vintage 78 RPM record with a red label in a brown paper sleeve. The label reads The Fat Man by Fats Domino and Imperial Records is printed at the top in red letters. The sleeve features a decorative design and Hollywood, California address.
Staff Picks

The Fat Man / Detroit City Blues

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Rare Books & Periodicals

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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A vintage illustration of a woman in a long dress sitting on a rustic bench in a garden. She holds a patterned shawl and gazes upwards. The scene is surrounded by lush foliage and a woven fence, creating a peaceful, nostalgic atmosphere.
Staff Picks

Les lys et les roses

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Cover of the book Mosquitoes by William Faulkner. It features red illustrations of mosquitoes and diagonal red text on a pale green background. The author is also noted as the writer of Soldiers Pay.
Rare Books & Periodicals

Mosquitoes

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Recent Acquisitions

Bob Kaufman Broadside Poems

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Illustration of a brown pelican perched on a branch with green leaves in the background. The bird is depicted in profile, showcasing its long beak and distinctive plumage.
Rare Books & Periodicals

Audubon’s “Birds of America”

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Illustration of a woman in a red and black costume with a heart motif. She stands in front of a large red heart background, holding a ribboned staff and wearing a pointed hat. The style is vintage and theatrical.
Rare Books & Periodicals

Blue Books

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A historical sanitary map of New Orleans, illustrating streets and areas with detailed notes. The map highlights the Mississippi Rivers meandering path through the city.
Rare Books & Periodicals

Yellow Fever Sanitary Commission Report

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The inside back cover of the book volume for Le Spiritualiste shows a marbled printed pattern.
Recent Acquisitions

Le Spiritualiste

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Research & Collections

Online Catalog

Search or browse through HNOC’s vast collections of 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.

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

Research Tools

Through the Williams Research Center (WRC), HNOC offers scholars access to extensive collections related to the Gulf South, particularly New Orleans and Louisiana.

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