WHO: The Historic New Orleans Collection

WHAT: "Rites, Rituals and Revelry: The History of Mardi Gras in New Orleans," a special themed tour of THNOC's Louisiana History Galleries

WHEN: Tuesday-Sunday, Jan. 6-Feb. 24, 2017
Tours will be offered daily at 11 a.m.
*Please note THNOC will be closed Saturday, Feb. 25-Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017.

WHERE: The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal St.
French Quarter, New Orleans, LA

HOW: Admission is $5, free for THNOC members. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org.

WHY: The Historic New Orleans Collection will once again offer a Carnival-themed tour of its Louisiana History Galleries at 533 Royal St.

THNOC's Louisiana History Galleries use items from the institution's vast permanent holdings to explore the evolution of Louisiana from its precolonial days to the present. These galleries are typically open for self-guided tours, but for "Rites, Rituals and Revelry: The History of Mardi Gras in New Orleans," THNOC's docents will lead visitors on a journey through time to discover the city's Carnival traditions. The tour begins with celebrations during the French and Spanish colonial periods and in the early days of statehood and continues through the development of parading krewes, like Comus and Rex, to the arrival of Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs and Mardi Gras Indians, and concludes with today's popular superkrewes.

THNOC will begin offering "Rites, Rituals and Revelry" tours on Friday, Jan. 6, the first official day of the Carnival season. Each tour lasts approximately one hour and is available at 11 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday, until Feb. 24. Admission is $5 or free for THNOC members. Free self-guided tours of THNOC's Louisiana History Galleries are available Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Historic New Orleans Collection-Preserving our Past for a Brighter Future

###