or drag this pin anywhere on the map
Lousiana and Mardi Gras in depth
The Cabildo is the Louisiana State Museum’s flagship location. If you see only one historic museum, this should probably be it. The building housing this part of the Louisiana State Museums, Cabildo & Presbytere was built as the Spanish government’s headquarters; the Louisiana Purchase was signed here in 1795.
Today, Louisiana State Museums, Cabildo & Presbytere houses thousands of artifacts and artworks reflecting Louisiana’s historic and cultural legacy, including Napoleon’s death mask. The medieval-looking Arsenal next door, with a separate entrance at 619 St Peter Street, is home to a changing array of special exhibitions.
The Louisiana State Museum also operates the nearby 1850 House on St Ann Street (see p66), a historic residence, and Madame John’s Legacy on Dumaine (see p63), one of the oldest houses in the city, now showing a long-running folk art exhibition. The Cabildo’s sister facility, the Presbytère (see p98), and the Old US Mint (see p98) a few blocks away both host major exhibitions.
Louisiana State Museums, Cabildo & Presbytere
Jackson Square, 523 St. Ann St., New Orleans
Website: http://lsm.crt.state.la.us
Open Hours: Open 9am-5pm, Tue-Sat
Categories: Specialty museum, History museum, Museum complex
Price: Cost money