LA “Museum of the Year” – The Historic New Orleans Collection
The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. The institution was founded in 1966 by General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams. Longtime New Orleans residents and avid collectors, the Williams’ established the organization to keep their collections intact and available to the public. In the 40-plus years since its inception, The Collection has augmented its holdings and physical properties, established ambitious publishing and exhibition schedules, and developed innovative educational programs.
The Collection operates two facilities in the French Quarter. The principal gallery, guided tours and museum shop
are located in a complex of historical French Quarter buildings at 533 Royal Street. The Williams Research Center, at 410 Chartres Street, opened in 1996 and houses the archive, library, reading room and additional exhibition space. The Collection’s holdings comprise some 35,000 library items, more than two miles of documents and manuscripts, and approximately 350,000 photographs, prints, drawings, paintings and other artifacts.
A list of current and upcoming exhibitions, publications and events is available below.
News
- In 2010, The Historic New Orleans Collection was named “Museum of the Year” by the Louisiana Association of Museums
Publications
- The Collection’s latest and most ambitious publication, Furnishing Louisiana: Creole and Acadian Furniture, 1735 – 1835, is the first comprehensive study of early Louisiana-made furniture. The volume, beautifully illustrated with more than 1,200 images, is available online at www.hnoc.org and Amazon.com, in The Collection’s gift shop and in various book stores around the city.
- In 2010, The Collection launched the Louisiana Musicians Biography Series with the release of Unfinished Blues: Memories of a New Orleans Music Man by Harold Battiste with Karen Celestan.
Exhibitions
The following exhibitions are free and open to the public.
- Now through January 2, 2011: “Mignon Faget: A Life in Art and Design” at 533 Royal Street
- January 11–April 3, 2011: “Drawn to Life: Al Hirschfeld and the Theater of Tennessee Williams” at 410 Chartres Street (An opening reception will be held Friday, January 14)
- January 20–April 20, 2011: “In Search of Julien Hudson: Free Artist of Color in Pre-Civil War New Orleans” at 533 Royal Street
Events
- Now–December 30: Holiday Home & Courtyard Tours, at 533 Royal Street (Admission $5, free for members)
- December 29, from 9am–4pm: Creole Christmas (Williams Residence, 533 Royal Street)
- February 5, from 8am–5pm: “Identity, History, Legacy: Free People of Color in Louisiana,” the 16th annual Williams Research Center Symposium, at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel (Registration is required and there is a fee to attend. Details available at www.hnoc.org)
- February 10, 7:30pm: Musical Louisiana: America’s Cultural Heritage presented by The Collection and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at St. Louis Cathedral. This year’s presentation is titled: “Identity, History, Legacy: La Société Philharmonique”
- March 18, 5:30–8pm: Concerts in the Courtyard returns with the New Orleans Moonshiners at 533 Royal Street (Admission $10, free for members, three complimentary drinks included)