Entry No. 20 — the New Orleans file — filed under: offbeat-museum

House of Dance & Feathers

A backyard museum of New Orleans street culture founded in 2003 by Ronald W. Lewis, documenting Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, and Skull & Bone gangs through one man's decades of participation. The small structure holds beaded and feathered suits, masks, photographs, books and parade artifacts assembled by Lewis himself. After Lewis died of COVID-19 in March 2020, his wife Minnie Lewis reopened the museum in late 2022.

The move: Email ahead to set an appointment, then visit this intimate backyard collection where someone walks you personally through the suits and second-line photos.

📍 Before you go Visits are by appointment only since it sits in a private backyard; admission is free but donations support the museum.

• 📍 Lower Ninth Ward
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 1317 Tupelo St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Hours: Added 2026-06-22 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-22