With
the weekend coming up, take the time to explore the vast array of museums that
New Orleans offers. Ranging from art to history to Mardi Gras, museums in NOLA cover
all interests. Spend your weekend exploring and learning about a topic you love
or something new that you've never heard of. PS: Don't forget your mask!
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
According
to its website, NOMA first opened in 1911 with
nine art pieces; today, this art museum has 40,000 pieces focused especially on
French, American, African, and Japanese compositions. This museum reigns as
"the city's oldest fine-arts institution." While visiting NOMA, take a stroll
through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden (SG), since the two cultural spots are located
next to each other in City Park. NOMA is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m., and the SG is also open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Click here to reserve your tickets for NOMA,
which cost $15 for general admission, $8 for college students, and $10 for
seniors, veterans, and active military; museum members and those who are 19 and
under get in for free. The SG is free of charge and open to the public. 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, (504)
658-4100, noma.org
National World War II Museum
The National WWII Museum
dedicates itself to depicting the American point of view of the war. Their
mission is to tell the American story of WWII, such as "why it was fought, how
it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the
price of freedom and be inspired." This museum offers extensive insight on
areas of the war that are often forgotten. A walk through this museum is an
engaging experience; there are visuals, movies, and plaques interspersed
throughout the rooms, truly offering an opportunity to learn about this pivotal
war. The WWII Museum is open every day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here to
reserve your tickets, which cost $28.50 for adults, $24.50 for seniors, and $18
for active military, college students, and children (K-12); WWII veterans and
children under five get in for free. 945 Magazine St., (504) 528-1944, nationalww2museum.org
Backstreet Cultural Museum
In
his garage in the Treme neighborhood, Sylvester Francis set up photographs and
Mardi Gras Indian mementos. Chief Victor Harris of the Mandingo Warriors
donated umbrellas and costumes once he heard about this micro-museum. As the
collection grew and grew, one of his friends suggested that he begin an
exhibition in a building on St. Claude Avenue, which was the genesis of the Backstreet Cultural
Museum. This museum is described as "the world's most comprehensive
collection related to New Orleans's African American community-based masking
and processional traditions." It has also hosted live dance and music
performances. This museum is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; admission is $10 per person and cash
only. 1116 Henriette Delille St., (504) 606-4809,
backstreetmuseum.org
Museum of Death
Considering
that Halloween is right around the corner, it's a good time to visit the Museum of Death. This museum was
founded by JD Healy and Cathee Schultz in 1996 in San Diego's first mortuary. Now,
there are only two locations: New Orleans and Hollywood, California. The museum
claims to have "the world's largest collection of serial-killer artwork,
antique funeral ephemera, mortician and coroners instruments, Manson Family
memorabilia … and much more!" They also does not use replicas, so the two
museums are unique in their exhibits. The Museum of Death encourages visitors
to prepare before entering, as fainting (or, as the museum team calls it,
"falling-down ovations") tend to happen frequently. Tickets are $15 per person.
227 Dauphine St., (504) 593-3968, museumofdeath.net
Pharmacy Museum
Take
a trip to the Pharmacy Museum to
learn about the history of Louisiana's pharmacies and healthcare. Exhibits on
the second floor are currently closed to the public, due to social-distancing
guidelines; however, the first floor's exhibits are still on show. According to
their website, these exhibits include "snow globes, methods of administration,
opium, perfumes and cosmetics, voodoo potions, questionable medical practices,
surgical instruments…" and more. The Pharmacy Museum is open Wednesday through
Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with 45-minute slots for visitors. Only 10
visitors are allowed in the museum at once, and the tickets, which cost just $5
per person, need to be bought in advance (click here to purchase your tickets).
