A diverse audience in a large room watches two speakers seated on stage in front of a projected historical newspaper. The room has arched windows and a screen displaying N.O. Tribune. Attendees are seated in rows, facing the speakers.

Signature Programs

Annual events dedicated to food, music, material culture, photography, and more

Upcoming

Wednesday

April 15, 2026

6–7:30 p.m.

Signature Program, Lecture, Concert

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

View of a Cuban folk dance where a man dances among women wearing floor length dresses and holding tamborines.

Friday

August 7, 2026

Signature Program

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

All Signature Programs

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 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 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 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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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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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 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 diverse group of people sitting around a wooden table in a rustic setting enjoy a meal together. Sunflowers in a vase decorate the table. The brick wall in the background adds to the cozy atmosphere.

Membership Has Benefits!

HNOC members receive early access to tickets for all of our popular signature programs and events, as well as other benefits such as discounts at the shop and café. Learn more and join the Collection today!

Join Join

Attendees of Food Forum at HNOC enjoy food and beverages in a historic courtyard.

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Signature Programs

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