New Orleans African American Museum Joins the Culture Pass Program

The New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM) is the newest addition to the Library’s Culture Pass Program, which provides cardholders the opportunity to visit a variety of cultural institutions across the city for free.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the New Orleans African American Museum to the Culture Pass Program,” Emily Painton, the Library’s executive director and city librarian said. “Our shared missions to preserve history and celebrate the rich culture of our city, especially the contributions of our African American community, make this an excellent addition to our program.”

Gia Hamilton, executive director and chief curator for the New Orleans African American Museum, is excited to partner with the Library to invite local visitors the Tremé property.

“Libraries and museums are among our most powerful public resources,” Hamilton said. “Together, they preserve memory, expand access to knowledge, and invite people of all ages to see themselves reflected in history.

We are honored to join the New Orleans Public Library’s Culture Pass Program and welcome new visitors to the museum campus. We are excited to deepen opportunities for learning, discovery, and community connection in one of the nation’s most historic Black neighborhoods.”

The New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History, and Culture was founded in 1996 in the Tremé area of New Orleans, a neighborhood that was home to the nation’s largest, most prosperous, and politically progressive community of Black people by the mid-1850s.

Located at 1418 Governor Nicholls St., NOAAM strives to serve the neighborhood, city, and visitors from around the world. With immersive exhibitions and public programs, the museum weaves together historical analyses and contemporary reflections about how the peoples of the African Diaspora shape our culture.

In the 18th century, the land was occupied by the Morand Plantation and brickyard, which was later acquired by hat maker and real estate developer Claude Tremé.

New Orleans African American Museum

The New Orleans African American Museum is located at 1418 Governor Nicholls St. in the historic Tremé neighborhood.

In 1810, Tremé sold the land to the city of New Orleans, and it became home to many free persons of color.

Tremé is unique in its architecture, its streets are a mix of double shotgun houses, Creole cottages and townhouses. An excellent example of Creole architecture is the Meilleur-Goldthwaire House, a villa built in 1828 which makes up part of the NOAAM campus. The New Orleans African American Museum is near the St. Augustine Church — one of the oldest African-American Catholic parishes in the nation — and two other museums that center Black culture and contribution: the Backstreet Cultural Museum and Tremé’s Petit Jazz Museum.

Each NOAAM Culture Pass admits one adult general admission Thursdays through Sundays from 11am to 4pm. Once reserved, cardholders may present the pass at the Museum where it will be redeemed for an admission ticket.

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

Library cardholders must live in Orleans Parish and be over the age of 18 to reserve Culture Passes. Passes for all Culture Pass partners must be reserved in advance. Visit culturepass.nolalibrary.org for more information.

New Orleans African American Museum Joins the Culture Pass Program

June 24, 2026 No Comments

The New Orleans African American Museum is the newest addition to the the Library’s Culture Pass Program, which allows cardholders to access local attractions for free.