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A group of women passionately singing and dancing in colorful traditional attire. One woman, in the center, has her arms spread wide, holding a fan. Background features a Notre-Dame de Paris exhibition poster.

Events

Learn, play, and explore with our programs and parties for all audiences. 

Upcoming

Saturday
April 11, 2026
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Community Day

Community Day: Music at the Museum

Join us for live music, gallery talks, and hands-on activities at our annual day of family fun.
Community Day
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20250412 MIH Community Day KM017
Wednesday
April 15, 2026
6–7:30 p.m.
27th Annual Bill Russell Lecture

Syncopated Siblings: The Music of Cuba and New Orleans

Hear the shared musical legacy of Cuba and New Orleans in this lecture and concert featuring author and historian Ned Sublette, joined by legendary percussionist Bill Summers and his supergroup, CUBANEXION.
Signature Program, Lecture, Concert
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View of a Cuban folk dance where a man dances among women wearing floor length dresses and holding tamborines.
Thursday
April 16, 2026
2–4:30 p.m.

“Tierra Sagrada” Film Screening and Q&A

HNOC and Postmambo Studies copresent “Tierra Sagrada,” a thrilling documentary offering a rare look at Afro-Cuban music and cultural traditions.
Film
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Film still of Cuban drums from "Tierra Sagrada." Courtesy of Ned Sublette
Saturday
April 18, 2026
1–4 p.m.

Cosimo at 100: The Sound That Shaped New Orleans

Join HNOC and host Nick Spitzer for a discussion and birthday celebration honoring legendary New Orleans music producer Cosimo Matassa.
Panel Discussion, Reception
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Cosimo Matassa at Jazz Fest in 1986.
Friday
May 8, 2026
5–7 p.m.
Courtyard Sessions

Catie Rodgers and Her Swing Orchestra Featuring Lena Prima

HNOC kicks off its Courtyard Sessions concert series with a tribute to the Great American Songbook.
French Quarter Fridays, Concert, America 250
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Catie Rodgers Swing Orchestra

Daily Programs

Exhibition Shortcuts

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

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Aeolian Organ Demonstrations

Tuesday–Sunday
11–11:30 a.m. and 3–3:30 p.m.

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Guided Tours

Events

New Orleans Mosaic: Tour of the French Quarter Galleries

Friday–Sunday
11:30 a.m.–12:05 p.m.

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French Quarter Fridays

Events

French Quarter Fridays

Enjoy live music, happy hours, and curated experiences in HNOC’s French Quarter courtyard.

View View
A view from above shows an opening reception inside HNOC's 520 Royal Street courtyard, with more than one hundred guests in attendance.
A man wearing a cap and glasses sits on a stool, reading from a script at a lectern, amid a theater setting with a backdrop of artworks. An audience sits attentively in a dimly lit, green-walled gallery.

Signature Programs

Explore our annual events dedicated to food, music, history, photography, and more.

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Wednesday
April 15, 2026
6–7:30 p.m.
27th Annual Bill Russell Lecture

Syncopated Siblings: The Music of Cuba and New Orleans

Hear the shared musical legacy of Cuba and New Orleans in this lecture and concert featuring author and historian Ned Sublette, joined by legendary percussionist Bill Summers and his supergroup, CUBANEXION.
Signature Program, Lecture, Concert
Read More
View of a Cuban folk dance where a man dances among women wearing floor length dresses and holding tamborines.
Friday
August 7, 2026
2026 New Orleans Antiques Forum

Material Belief: Objects of Faith, Spirit, and Tradition

Explore the history and cultural context of antiques shaped by belief, devotion, and spiritual practice throughout the American Gulf South.
Signature Program
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1979 33
All Signature Programs
A man sits onstage facing a large audience in a gallery or conference room. The crowd is diverse, with people of various ages and backgrounds, seated and attentive. Paintings hang on the walls, adding to the formal setting.

History Symposium

Every year, HNOC goes deep on a topic of local interest, bringing together scholars, community members, and history lovers.

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A group of people sit and stand in a cozy room filled with antique furniture and books. A man stands in the center, speaking animatedly. The room is warmly lit, with paintings and various decor items displayed on the walls and shelves.

New Orleans Antiques Forum

The South’s premier event for lovers of decorative arts and material culture, held annually every summer

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Two people are seated on stage for a discussion. One holds a microphone, smiling and wearing colorful glasses. A projection screen behind them displays text and an image of a pig. A painting is partially visible on the wall.

Food Forum

HNOC’s annual celebration of southern foodways and the people who preserve, study, and enjoy them

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A large, ornate church interior with a checkered floor and chandeliers. The pews are filled with people attending a service, facing an altar adorned with flags and artwork. The ceiling features intricate designs and paintings.

Musical Louisiana: America’s Cultural Heritage

HNOC’s annual free concert celebrating Louisiana’s contributions to music history, copresented with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

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A person carefully handles an old, open book above a red fabric on a table. Nearby is a large, detailed map or illustration. The scene suggests an environment focused on historical documents or archival work.

Caring for Your Collection

Explore in-person and online workshops with museum professionals to help you preserve your family heirlooms, research your genealogy, and more.

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A brass band performing in front of an old, detailed map. The musicians are wearing white shirts, dark trousers, and hats. The lead trumpet player stands in the foreground, energetically playing his instrument.

Bill Russell Lecture

Part concert, part lecture, this annual event blends history and music to appreciate sounds from the past and the people who made them.

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Two men are seated on stage during a discussion. The man on the right gestures while speaking, wearing a casual navy outfit. The man on the left listens attentively, dressed in a suit and red tie. A landscape photograph is displayed on a screen behind them.

Jules L. Cahn John H. Lawrence Photography Lecture

HNOC’s annual lecture presented as part of the PhotoNOLA photography festival 

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An oil painting of the Mother Cabrini playground on Barracks Street between Dauphine and Burgundy Streets in the French Quarter.

Morrison Lecture

A biennial lecture series facilitating critical conversations about historic preservation in the French Quarter and beyond

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A panel discussion with six people seated at a table. They are smiling and engaged, with microphones and papers in front of them. A screen behind displays a yellow slide titled I, My Ruination featuring headshots of various people.

Tennessee Williams Scholars Conference

Fans, researchers, and theater professionals get dramatic at this daylong conference presented by HNOC in conjunction with the Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival.

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Plan Your Visit

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Hours & Location Hours & Location

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

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Holiday Hours

Admission Admission

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

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Contact Us Contact Us

Museum: (504) 523-4662 
Williams Research Center: (504) 598-7171
Mailing address: 533 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130

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