Two Museums Join Library’s Culture Pass Program

Starting May 12, the Historic New Orleans Collection and the Tate, Etienne, and Prevost Interpretive Center (TEP Center) are joining the New Orleans Public Library’s Culture Pass program, which provides the opportunity for Library cardholders to visit a variety of attractions across the city for free.

Through this service, Library cardholders above the age of 18 and living in Orleans Parish can reserve admission to the TEP Center, a civil rights museum located inside the Lower 9th Ward’s McDonogh 19 building. Cardholders can also book a guided tour of the French Quarter History Galleries at the Historic New Orleans Collection, a museum dedicated to the preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and Gulf South.

New Orleans Public Library Executive Director and City Librarian Emily Painton said she is excited the new partner institutions will be available for cardholders this summer.

“As the school year ends and families are looking for something fun, free, and educational to do with their children, we hope they think of the Library,” Painton said. “With the addition of the TEP Interpretive Center and the Historic New Orleans Collection, we’re proud to offer free admission to a total of 14 museums and attractions across the city. Both the HNOC and the TEP Center highlight often overlooked stories, and we hope partnering with them helps open more eyes to these histories, while also removing financial barriers to accessing our city’s many cultural institutions.”

TEP Center

The TEP Center immerses visitors in the time and place of desegregation history as visitors “walk in the shoes” of Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Tessie Prevost, who desegregated the former McDonogh 19 Elementary School on November 14, 1960 when they were just 6 years old.

Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Ruby Bridges at McDonogh 19

Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Ruby Bridges are pictured here revisiting McDonogh #19 in 1981. Leona and Gail, along with Tessie Prevost, were the first black students to attend the previously all-white school. Source: Keith Weldon Medley Collection, City Archives & Special Collections

Learners of all ages can tour the girls’ first-grade classroom, hear the women’s reflections on their experiences and participate in conversations reflecting on the impact their sacrifices have on education today.

With a Culture Pass, visitors can reserve free entry for up to four people during regular operating hours on Wednesdays to the TEP Center. Dr. Leona Tate founded the center in 2022, and said she hopes the Culture Pass program will help to shine a light on this important part of history.

“The TEP Center seeks to partner with New Orleans educators to provide a holistic and truthful education for all students. It is a privilege to join with the New Orleans Public Library to continue in this mission as we provide all families an opportunity to walk in desegregation history,” Tate said.

Located in the French Quarter, the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is a free history museum and research center devoted to the people, places, and traditions of New Orleans and the Gulf South.

Historic New Orleans Collection

Located in the French Quarter, the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is a free history museum and research center devoted to the people, places, and traditions of New Orleans and the Gulf South.

While the museum is free, the Library’s Culture Pass connects cardholders with a guided tour, which is otherwise a paid experience.

Tours typically last approximately 35 minutes. Mia Miller, HNOC’s director of communications and marketing, said the organization is thrilled to be a Culture Pass partner.

“HNOC strives to expand understanding of the past, present, and future. We want as many visitors as possible to visit and learn about the people, places, and traditions of New Orleans and the Gulf South,” Miller said.

The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Royal Street campus is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30am to 4:30pm and Sunday, 10:30am to 4:30pm.

Culture Passes are also available at the following attractions: Audubon Nature Institute, the Contemporary Arts Center, Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses, Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, National WWII Museum, New Canal Lighthouse Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Historic BK House & Gardens, and select Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performances.

All partner institutions require Library cardholders to reserve their Culture Passes in advance. Visit culturepass.nolalibrary.org to learn more, or visit or call any Library location.