Historic Voodoo Museum, New Orleans
Sign for the Historic Voodoo Museum. Photo
Wally Gobetz.
Museum exterior and Voodoo ritual mask. Photos
Max Sparber.
"Baron Samedi" made of a human skeleton. Photo
Max Sparber.
Altar dedicated to Papa La Bas, god of the crossroads.
Photo
Chris Goldberg.
"Black Cat Ju Ju" in the Voodoo Museum. Photo
Ben Curthoys.
Location map and aerial view of Historic Voodoo Museum. For a larger interactive view, see our New Orleans Map.
The Historic Voodoo Museum displays a collection of artifacts and information on voodoo as it is practiced in New Orleans. It is touristy, but the presence of voodoo practitioners provide an element of authenticity.
History
The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum was founded in 1972 by Charles Massicot Gandolfo, a resident of New Orleans whose grandmother used to tell him tales about a voodoo queen in the family's past. An artist who was fascinated with the history and culture of his hometown, Gandolfo opened the museum to share his interest in voodoo with others.
What to See
The museum consists of two dark and dusty rooms filled with a jumble of artifacts, ranging from voodoo dolls to various mummified animals. The museum's staff is happy to explain the artifacts and there is usually a voodoo priestess available to do readings and make personal gris-gris bags. For those who wish to learn more about voodoo, the museum can arrange visits to voodoo rituals or schedule more in-depth personal readings.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Historic Voodoo Museum; New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum |
| Location: | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Category: | Museums |
| Faith: | Indigenous |
| Denomination: | Voodoo |
| Status: | museum |
| Date: | 1972 |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 29.959789° N, 90.063566° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | 724 Dumaine Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 |
| Phone: | 504-680-0128 |
| Website: | www.voodoomuseum.com |
| E-mail: | info@voodoomuseum.com |
| Hours: | Daily 10am-6pm (sometimes later) |
| Cost: | $7 adults; $5.50 students, seniors, and military; $4.50 high school students; $3.50 grade school students. Cemetery tour $19. |
Travel Resources for New Orleans
- New Orleans Map - our detailed interactive map of New Orleans, plus hand-picked links to more
- New Orleans Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in New Orleans
- New Orleans Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
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- New Orleans Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- New Orleans Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- New Orleans Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on New Orleans tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Voodoo Museum - official website
- New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum - Frommers.com
Article last updated: 10/25/2009.
