Mardi Gras Open House At The Backstreet Cultural Museum And See The Skull And Bone Gangs

The ongoing tradition on the morning of Mardi Gras Day is the Open House at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Treme section of New Orleans, right outside of the French Quarter.

This is where you can get a look up close and personal of the Mardi Gras tribes in their new suits, carefully handcrafted over the last year. 

Also the Open House starts off at 8AM with "Breakfast With The Bone Gang" celebrating one of the many New Orleans traditions, they date back to the 1800's. The Skull and Bone Gangs, dressed in costumes resembling skeletons, go around very early in the neighborhood on Mardi Gras Day and tell children to live right or the spirits may come and get them soon. They remind us all to live for the moment and enjoy each day we are blessed with. 

Click here to check out my previous post about the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

Thanks for reading, Happy Mardi Gras!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Support The Fundraiser For The Backstreet Cultural Museum, With Purchase Of Jewelry From TheDivasJewelryBox.com, Featuring Unique Designs By The Real Housewives Of Atlanta's Sheree Whitfield

In addition to being the Official Blogger for The Mardi Gras Girl Blog, I also run an Online Jewelry/Accessories Boutique
and am an Independent Sales Consultant. My Online Boutique, The Diva's Jewelry Box, is affiliated with the accessories seller Kitsy Lane.

I offer over 200 products in my store, but these 3 items designed by Sheree Whitfield, known for her role on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta",  for her SheBySheree line, remind me of Mardi Gras masks with their richly colored feathers. The first is the Jade Necklace, then the Lucia Earrings, as well as the Farah Hair Clip. These accessories are not only perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations and parties, but also for anytime you want to turn heads wearing something special and unique to accent your wardrobe.

As a fundraiser I am donating 50% of all commissions generated from the sales of any of these three items THIS MONTH to The Backstreet Cultural Museum in New Orleans to help them with operations costs as well as their special programs such as offering back to school supplies for children in the community and many others. Click this link to read my previous post featuring this amazing museum.

These items will be a wonderful addition to your collection and you'll be proud to call them your favorites in your jewelry box! The model is featured wearing the Lucia Earrings. Gorgeous!

** Please note you will need to register by clicking the link at the top left of the page if you are a new customer. All orders will be shipped from Kitsy Lane to US mailing addresses only.

Thanks for visiting, feel free to leave comments below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
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The Backstreet Cultural Museum In New Orleans

There are so many cultural treasures in New Orleans and one of my favorites is the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Faubourg Treme. Faubourg is French for district or neighborhood outside of the city limits. The Backstreet Cultural Museum offers an extensive selection of Mardi Gras Indian suits as well as costumes worn by some of the original New Orleans brass bands and social aid and pleasure club members throughout the years.

Photographs, videos, collections and exhibits provide an inside look into the African American culture in New Orleans.

During my travels to New Orleans for Mardi Gras that year I was told about the museum by some hotel staff, so I decided to check it out. While I was there I was able to take pictures of some of the displays. Also I had the pleasure to be able to speak to the founder of the museum, Sylvestor Francis, who opened it's doors in 1999. Several years ago he was a member of the Gentlemen of Leisure Social Aid And Pleasure Club.

He originally started gathering collectibles from the Mardi Gras Indians, brass bands and social clubs. Because of his love of the African American Mardi Gras culture in Treme, he gave pictures to anyone who participated in parades that he photographed. He was rewarded for his generosity when people who he gave photographs to started giving him costumes, suits and keepsakes.

The picture below is of Sylvestor Francis in the museum.

He took time to discuss the museum displays and their history. Also he had me watch a documentary called "All In A Mardi Gras Day" which I purchased a copy of. It's a great reference for anyone interested in the African American Mardi Gras culture in New Orleans. It covers the Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Krewe, Skull and Bone Gang and lots more.

Click here to view The Backstreet Cultural Museum website. You'll find information on exhibitions, community programs and hours of operation.

Hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did sharing it. Feel free to leave comments below.

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl