New Orleans African American Museum facts for kids
The New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM) is a special museum located in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's in the historic Tremé neighborhood, which is the oldest Black community still existing in the United States. The NOAAM works to teach people about and celebrate the important contributions that people of African descent have made to the culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. This includes their history as enslaved people, as free people of color, and during times like emancipation and Reconstruction, right up to modern times.
What is the Museum Like?
The NOAAM property includes seven historic buildings. These buildings are on the site of what used to be a large plantation. The main building is a big brick house called the Meilleur-Goldthwaite House. It was built between 1828 and 1829. This house is considered one of the best examples of a Creole "master's house" in the city. It's a special kind of house with a raised center hallway and large dormer windows. Many of its original smaller buildings, inside areas, and the large yard have been kept as part of the museum site.
In September 1991, the City of New Orleans bought the Meilleur-Goldthwaite House. This historic landmark was carefully restored. This restoration project was supported by Mayor Marc H. Morial and government departments like the Mayor's Division of Housing & Neighborhood Development and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The museum has become a very important part of the Tremé neighborhood's growth. It features both permanent and temporary art shows. These exhibits display works by modern artists in the main house and in the old slave quarters. The museum was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, especially its roof and from water. But it was repaired and reopened in February 2008. More improvements to the other buildings began under the leadership of a past director, Jonn Hankins.
Museum Collections and Art Shows
One of the most important parts of the museum's collection is called "Louisiana-Congo: the Bertrand Donation." This collection includes 70 pieces of original African art. You can see beautiful beadwork, costumes, masks, textiles, and musical instruments from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This collection helps show how daily life in the Congo is similar to Louisiana's folk culture. Other art shows at the museum change regularly. They highlight different types of art, from traditional African art to how Black culture influences modern life in New Orleans.
In 2008, the NOAAM took part in Prospect New Orleans. This was the biggest international show of contemporary art ever held in the United States, and the first one in New Orleans. Famous artists like McCallum + Tarry, William Kentridge, and Rico Gatson showed their work there. In August 2008, the museum also hosted an exhibit of photographs related to Hurricane Katrina. These photos were taken by New York City photographer John Rosenthal.
In January 2011, the city gave the museum a grant of $3 million. This money was used to renovate existing buildings like the Villa Meilleur, the Passebon Cottage (built in 1843), and Passebon's servant quarters. The museum also bought another building at 1417-1419 Governor Nicholls Street to make its campus bigger. This new building is used for offices, community events, and other support activities. These changes help the museum work more closely with local universities on projects related to creative arts, museum studies, art, history, archiving, and educational programs.
The museum is also a featured stop on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.
See also
