New Orleans, LA

Congo Square
DESCRIPTION: Beginning in the 1700s, enslaved people met there on Sundays to participate in traditional African music, songs and dance; as many 600 people at a  time would join in for a soulful Gospel and Blues outpouring; many believe that Jazz was formed here formation, when classical music trained Creoles met with freed slaves who sang the Blues, sparking a new improvisational genre of music; Armstrong Park

ADDRESS: North Rampart and St Ann Streets  MAP
PARKING: on street

French Market
DESCRIPTION: This landmark tourist attraction is a shoppers favorite today, it was designed by a free man of color, Joseph Abeilard; back in the 1700s free persons of color, enslaved people, whites and American Indians all traded good goods here; in a multi-million dollar renovation in the 1970s restored the vibrancy to this marketplace; there’s still a farmers market among the gift shops and cafes

ADDRESS: French Market Place at Ursulines  MAP
PARKING: on street

U.S. Customs House
DESCRIPTION: The old custom house was built by African Americans; it was considered a relatively safe place for free people of color to conduct business during the Reconstruction Period (1865-1977)

ADDRESS: 423 Canal Street  MAP
PARKING: lots and garages nearby

Flint-Goodridge Hospital
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1911 and managed by Dillard University; this 88-bed institution was one of only two medical facilities that cared for Black patients in New Orleans; in the 1930s it was the only medical school for African Americans in Louisiana; at one time it had 29 African American doctors on staff

ADDRESS: Louisiana at LaSalle Street  MAP
PARKING: on street

Knights of Peter Claver National Headquarters
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1909 a as predominantly Creole Catholic fraternal organization; the original building at this site served as the local headquarters for the Urban League, NAACP and other civil rights organizations before being replaced by this modern structure

ADDRESS: 1825 Orleans Ave  MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: 504-821-4225

St. Louis Cemetery #3
DESCRIPTION: Set aside for African American Catholics; Marie Laveau, Oscar J. Dunn, members of the Sisters of the Holy Family, Arthur Esteves, Mayor Ernest "Dutch" Morial are buried here; most iron ornaments and tomb gates were fashioned by African-American artisans, many of whom are also buried in the cemetery; visits are conducted by the National Park Service daily, not nightly; when you call, ask when a funeral procession is scheduled, it may turn into a Jazz Funeral

ADDRESS: 3421 Esplanade Ave  MAP

PARKING: on streets nearby

PHONE: 504-589-2636