Celebrating Local Civil Rights Heroes
The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is hosting a Family Day entitled "The Trail They Blazed" on September 20, 2025, inviting guests to explore the HNOC's displays about the Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans.
The HNOC has been integral in preserving and exhibiting New Orleans' complicated and often fraught history, an element of which is the struggle for civil rights. This exhibition will bring to light the unsung heroes and close-to-home stories from a time plagued by injustice yet energized by the fierce determination for equality.
A Tangible and Immersive Experience
Zeroing on New Orleans' own battle for civil rights, the event will include live music, story telling, creative opportunities for children and adults, talks from curators, and guest appearances. The Family Day is made possible by HNOC's collaboration with Young Audiences of Louisiana (YALA) and The Helis Foundation.
Something that makes this curated experience so powerful is that it was designed with the input of those who fought in the local Civil Rights Movement. The exhibition will feature immersive music by activists, recordings from interviews about the movement, television footage, photographs, and even an interactive voter registration test.
Those who were brave enough to create change in our city are now drawing back the curtain on their struggles, sacrifices, and breakthroughs as part of the Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans.
Event Details
The Family Day exhibition will take place on September 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Historic New Orleans Collection is located at 520 Royal St., Tricentennial Wing, 1st Floor. Admission is free, but an RSVP is encouraged (not required).
For a fun day of learning about and honoring New Orleans's Civil Rights activists, bring the whole family to the HNOC!
