Historic BK House & Gardens

The mission of the Historic BK House & Gardens is the preservation and maintenance of its structural integrity, period décor, collections, furnishings, adjoining dependencies, courtyard, and formal garden. Through its collections, exhibits, educational programs, guided tours and special events, the museum educates the public about the historical significance of the site, demonstrates the importance of historic preservation, and strives to raise community awareness of New Orleans' unique past.

Built in 1826, the Historic Bk House & Gardens is a National Historical Landmark and an outstanding example of Creole and American architectural styles. BK's diverse history includes the stories of those who both lived and labored here, creating a narrative as unique as New Orleans itself. The staff and board are committed to preserving the physical and social history of this house, using the building to illustrate the lives of enslaved people, the early families who owned the house, Sicilian and Italian immigrants, and the famous novelist who restored the site in the mid 20th century.

This year, our Give NOLA campaign will support our new endowment fund. We've spent the past decade raising funds for the stabilization and restoration of the museum's buildings and grounds. We're thrilled to be able to turn our attention now to an investment in the long-term sustainability of the organization. An endowment fund will help us plan for the future of BK House and thanks to friends like you, our future is looking bright!

Testimonials

"I think the BK house has the greatest variety in types of events of all the museums in New Orleans that I visit."
- AAM Survey, 2023

"Places like the BK House play an important rule in letting people understand the trails of immigrating to a new country and the support they need."
-AAM Survey, 2023

"BK House's new emphasis on people on the bottom end of New Orleans society -- enslaved people, freedmen, immigrants -- has made visiting there a better experience."
- AAM Survey, 2023

"I really liked learning about the architecture and the different houses. I think learning about the houses and how it all worked and fit together was really nice. I liked the different activities and exercises