A courtyard with three people standing in the center. The building has an upper balcony with green railings and large arched windows. There are several round tables with chairs, plants, and a staircase in the background.

About

Proud stewards of New Orleans and Gulf South history, we are a museum, research center, and publisher in the heart of the French Quarter.

Our History

Who We Are

Established in 1966, HNOC builds on the collection and vision of our founders, Kemper and Leila Williams. We produce award-winning exhibitions, public programs, and books and multimedia. In keeping with our founders’ wish to make New Orleans and Gulf South history accessible to the public, admission is free. Researchers and history lovers can explore our million-plus holdings onsite, for free, at the Williams Research Center (WRC).

Our Historic Properties

The 14 French Quarter buildings under our care are important parts of our collection. Each one has a story of its own.

Meet Our Founders

Kemper and Leila Williams moved to the French Quarter in 1946 with a mission to preserve its architectural splendor.

Our Campus

520 Royal Street

Visit the Museum

See rotating and permanent exhibitions, explore the historic Brulatour Courtyard, and stop by our award-winning shop.

Learn More Learn More

A street scene in the French Quarter of New Orleans, with people walking along a narrow road lined with buildings that have iron balconies. Theres a parked car and flags including the American and Louisiana state flag hanging above the sidewalk.

410 Chartres Street

Visit the Williams Research Center

Explore centuries of Gulf South culture with unparalleled access to rare documents, art, and historic treasures. Stop in or browse our online catalog.

Visit Visit

Online Catalog

A historic brick building with tall, arched windows and ornate stone details. The facade features a central sign with engraved text. Large doors and lantern-style lights flank the entrance. The structure is framed by neighboring buildings.

533 Royal Street

Preserving our Flagship Location

In 2023, we closed our historic Merieult House and adjacent properties to the public. Now comes a years-long effort to preserve and reenvision this part of our campus.

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A historic two-story building with pink walls and green shutters, adorned with red and blue banners. The architectural style is classic, with arched windows and a balcony. The street is cobblestone, adding to the vintage atmosphere.

Research

Our Buildings

HNOC’s 14 historic buildings, spread over three blocks of the French Quarter, are foundational parts of our collection. Explore illustrated timelines of their architectural histories here.

View View

Illustration of a picturesque courtyard with plants and a lamppost surrounded by two-story buildings featuring balconies and shutters. The area is paved, giving it a quaint, serene atmosphere.

News & Press

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A view from a shaded balcony looking out at a courtyard surrounded by multi-story buildings with yellow walls and large windows. Shadows from the railing create patterns on the wooden floor. A few trees and tables are visible below.

“In the French Quarter, the city’s colonial heart, gimmicky ghost tours are as common as cockroaches. A better way to commune with the spirits is to visit the Historic New Orleans Collection’s museum on Royal Street.”

Richard Fausset, correspondent, The New York Times

HNOC Chief Curator Jason Wiese on WYES-TV's "Informed Sources" program

HNOC in the News

WYES-TV: HNOC Chief Curator Discusses the New Orleans Experience Throughout US History

June 20, 2026

On the June 19 episode of “Informed Sources,” Jason Wiese joined a panel of experts to explore the city’s impact on 250 years of American history.

Pastel portrait of Don Bernardo de Galvez between 1780 and 1786.

Announcement

Episode Two of “Beyond the 13 Colonies” Discusses Bernardo de Gálvez, Spanish Governor of Louisiana

June 18, 2026

Coproduced by WWNO 89.9 FM and HNOC, the interview series explores the contributions of Louisiana and the Gulf South region to the American Revolution.

Still rendering from "American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition" showing Free Men of Color as soldiers fighting for the Spanish.

Announcement

WWNO and HNOC Debut “Beyond the 13 Colonies” Radio Series

June 12, 2026

The series explores the lesser-known contributions of Louisiana and the Gulf South region to the successful outcome of the American Revolution.

A colorful painting depicting clientelle of the Golden Lantern, a renowned gay bar in New Orleans.

Announcement

Celebrate Pride with HNOC

June 1, 2026

Explore content that showcases LGBT+ New Orleanians who have contributed to the city’s history and culture.

HNOC in the News

NOLA.com Features HNOC’s Paul Prudhomme Building Among 19 Award-Winning Historic Renovation Projects

May 30, 2026

HNOC’s renovation of 416 Chartres Street received a Louisiana Landmarks Society 2026 Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation.

HNOC senior curator Eric Seiferth discusses the Dryades Street boycotts of 1960 in a segment by WVUE Fox 8 New Orleans.

HNOC in the News

WVUE: HNOC Curator Discusses the Dryades Street Boycott of 1960

May 26, 2026

Eric Seiferth joined WVUE Fox 8 New Orleans to discuss a key moment of the Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans, as told in HNOC’s “The Trail They Blazed” exhibition.

HNOC curator Lydia Blackmore discusses the history of shotgun houses in a segment on WVUE Fox 8 New Orleans.

HNOC in the News

WVUE: HNOC Curator Explores the History of Shotgun Houses

May 22, 2026

WVUE Fox 8 New Orleans spoke with Lydia Blackmore to discuss the history, features, and legacy of one of New Orleans’s most iconic building styles.

Amanda McFillen, HNOC director of audience engagement, is interviewed by NOLA Now.

HNOC in the News

NOLA Now: HNOC Offers Curator Camp for Museum-Loving Teens

April 16, 2026

Happening June 8–12, 2026, the summer program brings history, art, and museums to life for local teens.

Students visit HNOC's exhibition "The Trail They Blazed."

Announcement

HNOC Announces Winners of 2026 Student Writing Contest

April 15, 2026

This year’s contest challenged students to address important civil rights issues facing America today and in the future, inspired by the HNOC exhibition “The Trail They Blazed.”