New Orleans' Confederate Memorial Museum

French Quarter Walking Tour

French Quarter Fountain

Discover the mystery and magic of the Creole people that made the French Quarter their own. 

One of the best-kept secrets in New Orleans is the Memorial Hall Confederate Civil War Museum located in the Warehouse District just 9 blocks from the French Quarter. As the oldest continually-operated museum in Louisiana, and the second largest collection of Confederate memorabilia in the world, this museum was founded by the Confederate Veterans of Louisiana in 1891. In order to preserve the story of these veterans, over 90 percent of the museum's collection has been donated by the veterans themselves and their family members.

On display for all to see are many permanent exhibits as well as traveling exhibits and loaned artifacts. Some highlights of the permanent collection include:

• Jefferson Davis Family exhibit. This exhibit contains the stage upon which the Confederacy's only president, Jefferson Davis, laid in state after his death in 1889. During the one-and-a-half day period over 60,000 visitors passed by the stage to pay respects to President Davis. The exhibit also includes personal effects including evening clothes, top hat, saddle, cane, Bible and artifacts that belonged to his daughter, Winnie, often called "The Daughter of the Confederacy."

• Secession of Louisiana from the Union. Louisiana was the 6^th state to secede from the Union on January 26, 1861, and this exhibit includes a secession pin, a copy of the Louisiana Ordinance of Secession, soldier's uniforms and photos of soldiers and citizens.

• Louisiana Native Guard. This exhibit is a tribute to the state's regiment of "free people of color" who organized themselves to fight for the Confederacy. Because they were denied the task of combat fighting, these men were assigned the primary duty of defending the city from invaders.

• Union General Benjamin "Beast" Butler. Appointed by President Lincoln to oversee the Union occupation of New Orleans, this man quickly became known as "The Beast" because of his harsh rule and many specific actions that enraged the people of New Orleans.

• Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry artifacts. There are many items on display that represent each branch of the Confederate Army, including uniforms, sabers, rifles, pistils, canteens, Confederate flags and saddles.

For visitors who love history, and who are particularly intrigued by the Civil War, this museum is a can't-miss opportunity; and for those who have never felt a passion for history, this Confederate Museum serves as an inspiring and eye-opening historical experience that just might motivate a new historian at heart!