What to do and see in Ninth Ward, Louisiana (LA): The Best Museums

The Jackson Barracks Museum tells the story of the Louisiana Militia and National Guard from colonial settlement in the early 18th century to current deployments across the globe. Organized by time period and major conflict you will find replica colonial soldiers uniforms and weapons, a British cannon used at the Battle of New Orleans and a 27-star national flag carried through the 1848 Mexican war. The Civil War exhibits display uniforms, equipment and artillery pieces as well as a rare, late-war letter penned by General Robert E. Lee. The deck gun of the USS New Orleans anchors our Spanish American war exhibit and a 1917 Cadillac staff car and rare Renault Tank are features of the World War I period displays. Our World War II area contains an early war Stuart Light Tank, a Norden Bombsight and actual walls from a WWII building surrounding by barrack’s furnishings and soldier’s personal items. To experience the life of a Louisiana Air Guard pilot you can sit in the cockpit of an F-4 Jet and view the armament it carried. Our latest exhibits feature The LA Guard’s service during Desert Storm in 1990-91, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Don’t forget to visit our outdoor exhibits of planes, artillery and tanks as well! For those interested in researching Louisiana military history please call for an appointment to work with our archive and library collection or start by reviewing the Collections page on our website.

House of Dance & Feathers is a cultural museum based on Ronald Lewis' participation in the culture of Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs & Skull and Bone Gangs. Opening hours are informal, so please telephone ahead to make an appointment.Ronald: I was working on my Mardi Gras Indian costumes for the Choctaw Hunters, a Mardi Gras Indian tribe I helped start in the Lower 9th Ward. While I was working on the suits, I had feathers and memorabilia all over the house. I came home one day & everything was in my backyard. My loving wife (who we call Minnie) said "I can't take this no more. You've got to find something to do with this." I moved the artwork into the shed and started putting up my various artifacts. The children in the community started calling it a museum and I gave it a name, "The House of Dance & Feathers", which means second lining and Mardi Gras Indians. I was at the point in my life where, "Okay, I can make a Mardi Gras Indian costume, but I want to educate the world about our great culture, how we do this, and why we are so successful at it even though the economics say we ain't supposed to be." Ronald created the museum in 2003, and then once again rebuilt in the wake of Katrina in 2005. Based at Ronalds house on Tupelo Street in the Lower 9th Ward, The House of Dance & Feathers is a unique experience as Ronald Lewis weaves his personal stories into each artifact in the museum and encourages a dialogue with his guests, so no two visits are ever the same. Although you'll arrive a stranger, you'll almost certainly leave as a friend.As well as being the museum's director and curator, Ronald W. Lewis, is the president of the Big Nine Social Aid & Pleasure Club, former Council Chief of the Choctaw Hunters, Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame inductee, 2008 King of Krewe de Vieux and a central character in Dan Baums best seller, Nine Lives: Mystery, Magic, Death and Life in New Orleans.

The Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum was created to celebrate the rich history of this unique neighborhood. Only one in five residents has been able to return to their homes, so many stories will be lost if we as a community fail to actively remember. The Living Museum features oral histories from community members, exhibits of key events from the history of the Lower Ninth Ward, and cultural events that entertain and educate.

Closed due to damage suffered in Hurricane Katrina.