The people here are amazing! The woman who greeted me at the door was so very warm. I'm not someone who cries in front of people but watching how people were treated during hurricane Katrina was like watching American leaders blatantly say "no we haven't changed how we feel about black people." I wasn't able to come help when volunteers came down cause my son was a baby but I think that sadness came pouring out while speaking with her. She handled me well. Lol you can tell they see these kinds of emotions there. They did a wonderful job educating you on everything that happened and some great history on mardi gras Indians and the 9th ward. Oh and personal opinion- if you want to help this wonderful organization, don't come in and dangle how you can help, your job title and that you just need to be persuaded. If you want to help then help. If you don't then well there is a reason for everything. White men with guilt and money don't help things by having long conversations about what they maybe can do. Maybe I'm being a tad harsh but.. I doubt it.

This is a small, simple museum but my wife and I were very impressed by it. It's just a few rooms with displays on the walls, but we found them compelling. They take you chronologically through the history of the Lower Ninth Ward, including 1927 when the levee was dynamited to flood the ward with water that New Orleans officials were afraid would inundate the parts of the city they considered worth saving. Lots of interesting and heartbreaking nuggets like that, as well as video interviews of locals. As small as it is, we spent nearly an hour there. The volunteer greeter was super nice. By the way, you can walk over the bridge to get there, but don't enter the bridge the way a car would. Walk in the alley on the side, at the end of which are stairs to a pedestrian path on the side of the bridge. At the end there's a passage where you can go under the road for a more direct route to the museum. Walking back, we found there's a path on the north side of the bridge too.

Loved the idea and the people who run this make the review worth 10 stars. That being said, this living museum was set in a 9th ward house where some of the homes have been rebuilt but the museum itself has no artifacts. There are pictures and paragraphs typed and taped to a wall you could read, books that can be read, one blurry dizzying low quality cell phone or cam recorder home movie showing the rain accumulating the day before Katrina which is shown on a wall which has a fuse box and pipes on the same wall and visible. The last room has another video which was good quality that shows interviews of residents and their Katrina experience. If you do go, go for the message and the experience of being in the lower 9th ward, don't focus so much on seeing and experiencing a museum. Other than being in the actual environment and seeing the lower 9th ward you could save your time and watch a youtube video and get the same or better quality experience.

This is absolutely a must-visit. My husband and I are both teachers (not in Louisiana) and we had never heard the heroic story of these brave ladies. The site is beautiful, but currently under renovations, so they have the schematics and projected sketches for what the facility will look like upon completion. I cannot wait until it is completed--we will absolutely be back! The images that you see when you google the place is not correct (or wasn't for us, it kept showing the purple house) but this is in the school so pivotal for the desegregation story for LA. I've attached an image of the sign: they request that you call to schedule a tour. It is $5 per person, to help with renovations and well worth the cost. Everyone there is so nice and very dedicated to their cause. Highly, highly, highly recommend this place.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$1–5

This is a must see for anyone living in or visiting New Orleans. It provides a great history of the lower ninth ward from the nineteenth century until Katrina and it's aftermath. While one may think that the lower ninth ward's history would be tragic due to what the neighborhood had to go through both during and in the immediate aftermath of Katrina, the story it tells is actually one of hope and redemption. It tells how countless times the residents of the neighborhood have rebuilt their lives in the wake of destruction and continue to do so to today. If you want to help on that mission, visiting this museum is a must first stop. It is in a house and the workers you will likely see there don't just have a history in the ninth ward but American History, including some Civil Rights-era giants. Stop by, read and watch everything, and leave a donation!

You MUST come out here to really understand the impact of Katrina but mainly how events in the decades surrounding Katrina have impacted a community and what it tells us about ourselves. If you are a tourist or local, the unique nature of this place really has been the most rewarding place we visited on our trip from the UK to NOLA. The whole world should visit this museum and reflect on how blind we can allow ourselves to be to injustices just around the river bend. Get a cab out to this wonderful place. 'Tis not Disney, it is real and real important. Ask questions, then be prepared to realise just how little you know about the real issues when you hear the answers. FYI - you don't have to talk to anyone, you are left to your own devices to walk through the chronological exhibits, but I recommend you do out on the porch later.

Fantastic museum! It's an old house that has been turned into a museum. Admission is free, and it can be gone through relatively quickly, so definitely stop by! There are ~4 rooms that roughly cover different eras. The first is more about the history of the Lower Ninth Ward during the earlier days of New Orleans, while the second talks about people who have come out of the area more recently. One room is dedicated to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Highly recommend this room! Regardless of how much you know about disaster capitalism and such, it is sobering to read about what happened (and is still happening) to the (mostly poor) people of New Orleans during and after Katrina. The last room is about organizations that have started since Katrina to help the Lower Ninth Ward and the city.

The Lower Ninth museum is an interesting place. From location to layout, the place is different from any museum I've visited before, and has some very strong points and some faults. The location and setup of the museum in a home in the lower ninth ward is the first issue. While this plays to the authenticity and memory of life in the lower ninth, it makes visiting and learning about the neighborhood more difficult since it is rather out of the way in regards to tourist visits and publicity. The second issue is staffing and hours. The setup feels informal, and I would be interested in seeing how the museum would perform in a more traditional setting. Other than that, my visit here was enjoyable and I learned a good deal about the neighborhood.

Ms Leona Tate is there for questions, care, information, growth, education, and so much more. It was important to me to come here, though the exhibits at times were heart breaking. The photos displays were beautifully accompanied with captions and music telling a complete history of what happened. I particularly appreciated the recorded interviews of residents, putting everything in the photos into context. The resilience, not only devastation, of this community is what was honored. It was a blessing to witness. And my compliments to Ms. Leona Tate for her work, and my thanks to her for her comments and wisdom. Beautiful space. We will be back to see everything else in store, as the work here is growing.

I wanted to visit inside this house both in 2019 and 2022 when visiting NOLA, and both times it was closed. During the latter yr I asked a neighbor passerby, but she just said no and went away, not friendly at all. Not sure of this house's status but it was interesting to look at it from outside and took photos. If anyone has updates, wld be appreciated. There are no other museums I cld find in the Lower Ninth so was hoping for this one to provide some history and info. Giving it three stars just because of it's decorated and photogenic exterior that I cld photograph. It could use some more PR and pride, this area is very important and more awareness would be a positive thing.

Walking up the steps where three first grade girls first integrated a school in the Deep South in 1960 gave me a chill. Seeing the stairwell they played under, I almost cried. The museum is still in development, but the experience was intense and moving. The guide that spoke with us was passionate and knowledgeable and brought the past to life for us. We left with a bit more emotional understanding of the hatred of racism, as well as an appreciation for the tightly knit community of the Lower Ninth Ward that is still striving for a better future.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$6–10

Excellent place. When I visited, they were having an event for the 58th anniversary of the desegregation of N.O. public schools. I hadn't come for that, but it was still a very good place. The back, which talks about Katrina, had a lot of sad parts, but I feel as though that was the only way to understand the natural and human disaster that was Hurricane Katrina. I hadn't been born yet when Katrina happened, but based on what my mother said afterwards, and what I learned there, it was terribly sad. However, the museum did an excellent job explaining it.

Don't miss this. Everyone should visit this museum. It may be small but its impact is emotionally huge. Photographic history of the lower Ninth Ward and the humanitarian disaster when Katrina came and the levy broke. You will have to take an Uber or other transport to get there. The tour buses no longer go to that lower Ninth Ward area. Afterwards walk along the street to see the unusual 100+ houses that Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation has built. A sobering experience.

A wonderful memorial musuem that allows us to go back to the place where Earth raged her fury on and tore at our hearts as we watched the suffering of a purely devastated community. Make sure to drive around the neighborhoods across the main thoroughfare as well and look at all of the empty lots that hold the ghosts of a bygone era; those that came back to nothing, those who couldn't return, and those that came back to rebuild.

It for sure completes a NOLA visit. Considering that it is FREE, it is for sure a must. Especially for the young and in school please take the time, please do not go if you are in a rush, just like any other museum take the time to take it all in and for sure learn something. It is not advertised as much, am glad that we made it out there. And the lady that we found was warm, friendly and nothing but love.

Let this place be known! The things the people of the Lower Ninth Ward endured... Please come here and learn their history. If you feel you can donate, please find the best way to support them. They have videos playing in each room focused on specific events throughout history and interesting facts about how cultures mixed. The last two times inform about what happened during and after Hurricane Katrina.

This museum it's MUCH needed inside the community! It shows the endurance and perseverance of the people in that community! The media ONLY shows yoy what THEY want you to see and hear. Being there gave me first insight of the truth of what really happened during hurricane Katrina. So many lives lost and families displaced! You can't go somewhere like that and not be changed for the better leaving out!

A truly outstanding museum. Highly recommended. Warm welcome from the host. Documents a tragic tale of a natural disaster followed by appalling government inaction mixed with actions of bravery and heroism. The recovery of Lower Ninth Ward is still a work in progress with limited government support - a testament to the resilience and strength of community. Allow up to an hour. Visited February 2016.

A great place to visit when in "Nawlins." I learned so much about Katrina that wasn't broadcast on mainstream media. A must visit for sure and a tour of the neighborhood will really leave you educated about the roots of the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood. The residents a were really pleasant and answered any questions we had about the neighborhood or the newer houses that were rebuilt.

Amazing place to visit if you like history and humanity. It's free and the people working here are natives to New Orleans and the lower 9th ward. It's crazy how the leaders and government knows exactly what this place looks like and supports no quality of life living here. I pray for the people here and for God to put me into a position to rebuild or help be apart of it.

Great small museum documenting the largely poor, displaced citizens that have always been at a disadvantage. Hit hard by every hurricane in an attempt to save the wealthier people. No one seems to really care. It took over 10 years to get a public library to reopen after Katrina, let alone a public school. This is a great way to have a voice for the voiceless.

Home-grown museum in one side of a duplex house. Tells a sad story that deserves to be heard more widely. Left me feeling quite ashamed of my country. Far from being a part of the "home of the free and the land of the brave", the Ninth Ward was the home of the downtrodden and the land of city corruption, broken federal promises, and engineering incompetence.

Leona Tate and other founders do an amazing service by providing this neighborhood museum about the Levee failure flooding during Katrina from the locals perspective. I've been taking people to this museum for years who want an intimate and truthful view into the lives of those devastated and reborn from the flood. It's my favorite gem of the lower 9!

I had a great time. The museum really gives you a lot of insight into how Hurricane Katrina affected people. Also, gives a large amount of information on the Ninth Ward's history and exclusion from the rest of New Orleans. Definitely learned an abundance of facts about racial demographics and racism. I would definitely recommend going.

Some will only think of the town as a party destination, it’s great for that but spend some time finding out about local lives and the effects of Katrina. Many myths are exploded and if you don’t come away saddened and shocked I’ll be surprised. It’s free but make a nice donation to allow them to keep up the educational work.

This is a must see if you are in New Orleans. Truly blessed to meet Mrs. Leona Tate and have her share her experiences during the desegregation of schools. For folks that enjoy history this is an absolutely necessary stop to hear the words straight from her mouth about her experiences and history of the Ninth Ward area.

Great place toi see 9th Ward history and what's going on in the community right now. If you in the area this place is worth a stop to look at what the museum has to offer. It's free but they take donations toi keep the museum operating. You are allowed to take pictures and there are a few videos that play in the museum.

Relocated to within the Tep Center, which is now in McDonough 19, the school Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost and Gail Etienne integrated. The experience is completely worth the trip out. Everyone working at the center was excited about the progress done on the interactive museum and was happy to guide us through the center.

I didn’t know what to expect here but I was blown away from my experience. Ive never been in a museum with such individual care ! The panels of info and photos were extremely well curated, and the movie was very well put together. 10/10, important information for tourists but also people who live and are moving here.

Amazing, I have never cried in a museum before but this place was special. The stories told here will stay with me forever and I strongly suggest taking the time to visit this museum. I learned so much in such a short amount of time and these stories need to be heard. The most memorable part of our whole trip by far!

Rating a one ONLY due to the fact that the hours of operation and not correct and you can’t get anyone one the phone to tell you so. We drive over to visit only to find out their closed indefinitely and are actual relocating. Would be nice to update this info on google so that people don’t waste their time coming by.

This was the highlight of my trip to N.O!!! Learned so much about the locals and all the horrible experiences they endured during Katrina. The owner of the museum is also a local hero! She continues to fight for the people of N.O. Do not miss the opportunity to learn while in the big easy.

This museum is a must-see on any trip to New Orleans. I was blown away at how little I truly knew about Hurricane Katrina and the Lower 9th Ward. These first-hand accounts by community members should never be forgotten and I am so thankful this museum exists so they never are.

Free! This museum is free! It was really moving to see the history of NOLA and the lower ninth ward! I helped with katrina relief for 2 weeks after katrina and coming back now so many years later and seeing the difference and people rebuilding their lives was very moving!

A simple place with a profound and touching exposition. I was super curious about the history of Katrina and the floods in NO and it was the best source I found. Spent about one hour there, but could be more if I wasn't in a hurry. It is free, but they deserve donations.

For $5 honestly most moving thing I’ve experienced in a long time, Tremaine the wonderful woman of the estate, has carved and showed us individuals the history and injury the people of the United States have faced and will forever hold near and dear in my heart. More

I don't think a trip to New Orleans is complete without stopping in here. This was absolutely the highlight of our visit, a small but engrossing museum covering the history and experience of the ninth ward, just a few blocks from where the levees broke after Katrina.

Dosuns are knowledgeable, pictures are welcome. Important to 9th ward that the history is recorded, important to hold Army C. Of Engineers, and elected officials accountable in future disasters . Wake up call to tax payers about mismanagement and corruption.

This is a moving no holds barred multi media documentation of the history of the Ninth Ward and New Orleans that should not be missed. Only went with 4 stars just to leave room for the unbelievable WWII museum which is one of the best museums anywhere.

Go see where Katrina devastated this community and understand why it is world's apart from the VillaCarreaux. Make sure to drive the streets across the main Street to see the empty lots that are missing the families that once called the Ward home.

Simple, effective, and a good size. I read every description moving through the four rooms. Along with photos and documentary videos on occasional screens, they powerfully shared resilience, celebration, history, hardship, community, activism.

Tells the story of what happened from the people that experienced it. I'm a True Believer that you should experience things or see things first hand instead of trusting the internet or the news for that matter so you can see what it really is.

A best-kept secret that needs to be shared! You don't get here by accident, you have to seek it out. And sadly, they have one of the most important stories this city has to tell. This is an absolute must-see for anyone interested in equality.

Absolutely loved this museum it was very informative and it was a pretty emotional experience for me. Literally take your time to read each summary if you have the time. NOLA are strong people and have been through much!!!

Absolutely amazing experience I recommend to any and all if you want to learn the real history
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$1–5

I pass everyday but that's all I do is pass I'm a local if you go in don't bring too much money or a car if you get robbed give up your stuff or you'll probably die or pass away.
Reservation recommended
No

An absolutely wonderful museum and even had the opportunity to meet a living history maker. I would encourage everyone to visit. The docents were very knowledgeable. Definitely think about giving a donation.

Really interesting museum. The museum shows a long history of the lower 9th ward, and especially how it was affected by Katrina. Practically every plaque in the museum in shocking and worth learning about.

This is a must see! Very enjoyable experience if you want to learn more about the history of the area! The young lady who was working there is very knowledgeable and a joy to speak with! Very nice!!

100% must see, very educational, and extremely friendly staff. Learn about life and culture in the Lower 9th Ward decades before, during, and after Katrina from the perspective the residents.

This living museum was small but phenomenal.I learned a lot of stuff about New Orleans that I never knew.It is packed with information from the front of the house to the back of the house.

Great to see a museum like this, honoring local history right in the heart of the lower 9th ward.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

This is such a moving tribute to the strength and collective power of the people of the Lower Ninth Ward. I was honored to witness it. Impressed that folks are also running a summer camp!

A wonderful compilation of history and stories. You should definitely visit this free museum while you are in New Orleans. It's an easy and inexpensive Uber/Lyft from the French Quarter.

The pride and knowledge shown by the person working here made this an amazing stop! The museum is set in an older home and tells an amazing story of the area that is often overlooked.

Don't expect a "real" museum. It is a shotgun house with pictures of historical events on the wall. The museum is small representation of the history of New Orleans Ninth Ward.

Another little unknown gem. Thank You Ms. Leona Tate for your sacrifices of the integration of Orleans Parish Schools. I stand on your shoulders because of your selflessness.

Loved it, we met Ms. Leona as well. She was one of the first black students to desegregate the schools. It was great to be able to talk with her and meet her grandbaby.

An amazing small museum focusing on the history and people of the Lower Ninth Ward, particularly around the time of Katrina. An educational and emotional experience.

Definitely worth the visit. Loads of pictures and stories from Katrina. Talk to the volunteers, they have they own stories and perspectives. Quite interesting.

The drive there wasn’t the smoothest. The time on Google isn’t correct. When I arrived the doors were closed and the fence was locked. No idea what happened.

An amazing grassroots initiative to bring recognition to the plight of those living here pre and post Katrina. Highly recommended for anyone visiting NOLA.

Extremely informative on how Hurricane Katrina affected the Lower Ninth Ward community of New Orleans and is a testament to their resilience and strength.

No one should visit New Orleans without visiting the Living Museum. The heart wrenching, inspirational, and joy of the City come from the 9th Ward.

Glad we came across this place. Gives a great perspective on the neighborhood, its people history and culture, and the effect of Hurricane Katrina.

This place is powerful! Walking to the location was quite an experience because you walk through a neighborhood and the residents were so friendly.

Great place to learn not only the history of New Orleans but the history of the lower 9. Ms. Leona Tate is a living legend and wonderful spirit.

Tragic and beautiful. I left in tears. Pride of being a veteran, anger for ill treatment of my people. Thank you so much for the history lesson.

This place is a MUST go if you want the truth of history. Amazing museum and even more amazing knowledge I have gained from being able to go!!

A must stop if you're going and you want to learn the truth about the integration of public schools.
Price for adult entry
$6–10

New Orleans, from the viewpoint of those who live here. Katrina, through the eyes of those who experienced the devastation first-hand.

Great little museum that explores the history of the the ninth ward, including great exhibits on Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

A must see when you visit nola. Complete education on hurricane katrina. The surrounding area still showed the property devastation.

Gotta go. Make this part of your trip and humble yourself to the reality of events and tribulations these people have went through!

Powerful historical site. A must see for visitors to get a real perspective on the history of the Lower 9th and Hurricane Katrina.

A must see in New Orleans. Sad that people think the French quarter and tourist spots are all the is. Check this out if you can!

Not only was it amazing it showed us the real truth of what happened down here and I’m more than great full for the experience

Something everyone should see. A real eye opening view into the darker side of humanity, and the resilience to overcome it

If you wanna know the Katrina’ real impact, and victims you should visit this area. Not as a tourist but as a human bean.

Wonderful people, tons of information. Came by late in the day, but wish I had allowed myself more time to read it all!!

Was incredibly lucky to stumble on such a historic place. Learnt so much about civil rights that isn’t taught in class.

Never to be forgotten... Thank you to the wonderful people who continue this amazing venture...so no one forgets...

A awesome humbling experience it was warm an welcoming. I learned a lot keep thanks for having me. …

A deeply moving and educational experience! Also wonderful staff! A must for anyone visiting New Orleans.

Beautiful museum. The Black residents of New Orleans deserve so much better. Long live Lower 9th Ward.

I learned so much at this wonderful museum. Go and support this place. Interesting and informative.

What a surreal experience, so glad we got to gear the real story. As must if you are New Orleans.

Wonderful experience, great way to bring awareness to what the 9th ward people went through …

Great place if you want to get to know more about the lower 9th ward the people and culture

Honestly, I think this is a must when visiting New Orleans. Very informative and sobering.

Extremely meaningful little museum. Should be required for anyone who visits New Orleans.

This place will tell u a good story about the lower 9th ward its pretty kool check it out

Memorable, compelling museum telling the sad truth about Katrina and the Lower 9th Ward

Full time USA army
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Its a great place for NOT forgetting the terrible disaster of Katrina. Never forget!

Must see neighborhood to understand impact of Katrina on NOLA's black communities.

Informative museum located in a historic area, a must see if coming to New Orleans

Such a humbling experience. Everyone going to New Orleans need to visit this place

A very interesting perspective of the Katrina disaster. I had a very nice time!

I like looking back on history. So here is another opportunity to be exposed.