Get wrapped up in local history this holiday season by spending a day with The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC). Explore THNOC’s historic French Quarter buildings packed with vivid stories of the Crescent City and its surrounding region. With school out, bring the kids on a free, captivating, and educational journey through New Orleans history. Immerse the whole family in THNOC’s vibrant historical and cultural exhibitions before grabbing a bite to eat at Café Cour and catching up on holiday shopping at The Shop at the Collection.
One great way to experience all THNOC has to offer is to start in the 1792 Merieult House at 533 Royal Street, where the Louisiana History Galleries provide an overview of the Bayou State’s past from pre-colonial history through Hurricane Katrina. Across the street at 520 Royal Street, the French Quarter Galleries use interactive technology to help visitors explore the architectural and demographic development of New Orleans’ French Quarter neighborhood.
At 520 Royal Street, the French Quarter Galleries use interactive technology to help visitors explore the architectural and demographic development of New Orleans’ French Quarter neighborhood.
Be sure to leave time for the special exhibitions occurring throughout the holidays. The bilingual exhibit, Spanish New Orleans and the Caribbean / La Nueva Orleans y el Caribe españoles, explores the four decades during the eighteenth century the city was under Spanish rule. Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition immerses visitors in the glorious architectural detail and rich 850-year history of Notre-Dame Cathedral with an augmented reality experience. French Quarter Life: People and Places in the Vieux Carré brings together twenty-two individual pieces from artists around the world who have worked to capture and share their impressions of New Orleans’s most iconic and historic neighborhood.
Join The Shop at the Collection for special holiday-themed events such as the 50th Anniversary book signing of the Cajun Night Before Christmas on November 26, Museum Store Sunday on November 27, discounted purchases from November 27–December 23, and the Holiday Market showcasing local artists on December 17.
Another way to appreciate THNOC besides its historical programming and retail options is by sitting in the famous Seignouret-Brulatour Courtyard and enjoying a taste of New Orleans culinary culture from Café Cour. The menu highlights local ingredients and showcases the region’s multi-cultural culinary influences—plus it offers gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options.
On December 15, THNOC will host a unique holiday concert in the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square titled “La Noche Buena: Spanish Christmas Music of the New World” at 6 pm. Presented as part of the city’s annual holiday chorale concert series, this free musical performance will feature master guitarist and composer Mahmoud Chouki and the Krewe du Voix Chamber Choir, led by Paul Weber.
For more information about THNOC and to plan your day there, visit www.hnoc.org.
