A group of museum visitors explores an exhibition at HNOC, led by a staff member giving a tour.

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“The Trail They Blazed” Tour & Conversation

“The Trail They Blazed” Tour & Conversation

Experience the history of the Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans and how its themes resonate today.

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Related Exhibition

The Trail They Blazed

June 6, 2025 to June 7, 2026

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Join us for a 60-minute guided tour exploring the local Civil Rights Movement as told in The Trail They Blazed, on view until June 7, 2026. Experience history through the voices of those who lived it and engage with fellow participants in conversations about how issues of the time are still relevant in our lives and communities today.

HNOC members: Your HNOC member discount will apply after adding tour tickets to your cart and logging in.

Tour Details

Available October 8, 2025–June 6, 2026
Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.
520 Royal Street
$15 General Admission, free for HNOC members and children 17 and under.
Advance registration encouraged. Reservations are available 60 days in advance.

For groups larger than 10, contact tours@hnoc.orgor make a reservation on our Group Experiences page.

Visitors explore The Trail They Blazed exhibition at HNOC. Photos by Keely Merritt, HNOC

Visitors explore The Trail They Blazed exhibition at HNOC. Photos by Keely Merritt, HNOC

Visitors explore The Trail They Blazed exhibition at HNOC. Photos by Keely Merritt, HNOC

Plan Your Visit

Hours & Location

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

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Admission

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

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Museum: (504) 523-4662
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Visit

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.

A group of people listens to a man speaking in a room. The man is gesturing with his hands, standing next to a large touchscreen table. The room has a warm ambiance with a brick wall in the background.

Shortcut Talks

Enjoy free, daily talks that explore Gulf South history and culture through the lens of our exhibitions.

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A group of people in a gallery observes a woman explaining a large artwork displayed on the wall. The room has wooden walls, and a woman in a wheelchair holds a cane. Various people wear suits, dresses, and casual attire.

Group Experiences

Discover the rich history and culture of New Orleans with a private group outing from the Historic New Orleans Collection.

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Related Exhibitions

Exhibitions

The Trail They Blazed

June 6, 2025 to June 7, 2026

Leaders of the local Civil Rights Movement tell their stories of resistance and persistence.

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Black and white photo of people in line for voting registration outside a building. Two men are seated near a Voting Applications sign, and several individuals are standing in line, some wearing hats and summer clothing.

Related Collection Highlights

A sepia-toned vintage photograph of a man with curly dark hair and a mustache. He is dressed in a 19th-century suit with a double-breasted coat and bow tie. The image has an old, slightly worn appearance.

Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez Papers

A rare collection of manuscript essays and family correspondence offers a thrilling look at one of the most influential people in the early struggle for African American civil rights in Louisiana.

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American Black Directory

A post-segregation sibling to the Green Book, this directory compiled information on Black-owned businesses across the country.

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Related Virtual Exhibitions

A group of people walking on a street, several wearing Vote 3 Dutch Morial shirts. Some are smiling and waving. Trees and houses are in the background. The mood appears lively and supportive.

Women's Rights

“Yet She Is Advancing”: New Orleans Women and the Right to Vote, 1878–1970

The story of women’s suffrage, leading up to and beyond the passage of the 19th Amendment

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Four women stand behind a table set with a tablecloth, glassware, and a candle holder. Three of them wear light-colored dresses with floral corsages, and one wears a dark dress with a white collar. They are smiling and posed for a photograph.

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Voices of Progress: Twenty Women Who Changed New Orleans

Portraits of women who fought for equality, justice, and charity

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Related News

HNOC in the News

Verite News: New Exhibit Showcases Local Figures of Civil Rights Movement

June 13, 2025

“The Trail The Blazed” comes to the Historic New Orleans Collection after appearing as a traveling exhibition at different locations throughout the city.

Visitors explore "The Trail They Blazed" exhibition at HNOC.

HNOC in the News

Beyond Bourbon Street Podcast Explores “The Trail They Blazed”

September 10, 2025

Exhibition curator Eric Seiferth joined host Mark Bologna to discuss HNOC’s newest exhibition about the Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans.

A woman points at an installation at HNOC's "The Trail They Blazed" exhibition. Children are gathered around her.

Announcement

HNOC Opens Submissions for 2026 Student Writing Contest

December 10, 2025

Inspired by the exhibition “The Trail They Blazed,” this year’s contest prompts students to address civil rights issues facing America today and in the future.