Old US Mint

The Old U.S. Mint in New Orleans is the oldest surviving building ever to have served as a branch of the U.S. Mint. Designed by William Strickland in the Greek Revival style, its red brick facade, with its Ionic portico and characteristic courtyards, shapes the look of the historic French Quarter. From 1838 to 1909, with an interruption during the Civil War, the facility produced hundreds of millions of gold and silver coins. Today the building is a National Historic Landmark and has housed a branch of the Louisiana State Museum since 1981. After severe damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it was extensively restored and reopened in 2007.

In the historic rooms, you can explore the history of coin minting. The lower level holds exhibits on the technical processes of striking coins, as well as a coin shop. A particular highlight is the close connection to the city's jazz culture. The museum houses a gallery of instruments belonging to well-known jazz musicians, along with photographs and posters, all part of the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The site also serves as a venue for jazz concerts, organized in cooperation with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.

The third floor is home to the Louisiana Historical Center. It holds valuable manuscripts and maps from the colonial era, as well as extensive primary and secondary sources on the history and culture of Louisiana. This collection is open to all interested visitors and complements the museum's portrayal of the city's identity. As one of only two former mint buildings in the United States with an art gallery, the Old U.S. Mint brings together historic industry, cultural traditions, and academic research in one central spot on the Mississippi.