https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/home daily 1.0 2026-02-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/a4cf4d12-120e-4a4b-a32e-53b78bb6ed7b/hollis.jpg https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/about-us daily 0.75 2024-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1600787599198-F99UPDVE4LXP5VYP83SY/sylvester+pic.jpg About Us - OUR FOUNDER AND CURATOR Sylvester Francis founded the Backstreet Cultural Museum out of devotion and passion for his culture. A self-styled “cameraman,” Francis is the visionary who has developed the Backstreet Cultural Museum as an institution that protects New Orleans’ African American traditional art forms and interacts with many audiences. Sylvester Francis’ knowledge of New Orleans’ parading culture is highly regarded. He generously shares his wisdom about New Orleans’ culture with visitors, students of all ages, and anyone who expresses interest. He regularly gives presentations to schools and other organizations regarding New Orleans’ parading traditions. The museum’s dream for the future is to secure a permanent home in the Tremé neighborhood and greater resources for the organization to fulfill its mission for years to come. The board of directors and Sylvester Francis have created a strategic plan to guide the organization’s development. In collaboration with the Tulane School of Architecture's City Center Program, we have developed a proposal to renovate and expand the museum’s facility. For his contributions to preserving New Orleans’ cultural traditions, Sylvester Francis has received many accolades, including citations from the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans. Photo by Cheryl Gerber https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/general-2 daily 0.75 2024-06-29 https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/engagement daily 0.75 2024-06-30 https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/membership daily 0.75 2024-01-21 https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/booking daily 0.75 2023-03-23 https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/sylvester daily 0.75 2023-03-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353084812-MSFZIJLXRRQZSA0FF9R8/IMG_7093.jpg Our Founder & Curator Sylvester- Grand Marshall of Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club 2014 Secondline https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353085226-AOZARB004QXRZVZE4EQ3/IMG_7083-2.jpg Our Founder & Curator Sylvester & wife Anita "Lulu)- Grand Marshall of Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club 2014 Secondline https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353087554-I92OARQOJC6CE15QYV2C/IMG_7118.jpg Our Founder & Curator Sylvester and Lulu riding past St. Augustine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353084525-EM9NGDWAJWG8RLFIN4F9/IMG_6128.jpg Our Founder & Curator Sylvester with the North Side Skull and Bone Gang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353089527-3VOTP7HW4ZAJ3VB658FT/20170826-vjs-92570.jpg Our Founder & Curator Sylvester with the Black Storyville Baby Dolls https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353084694-WXIDY6J1NY63I3HH7ETB/IMG_5757.jpg Our Founder & Curator Sylvester and Victor "The Spirit of Fi Yiyi" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353089722-4152C11DFFUD1ZI8J5F9/SF+70_lr_IMG_4455.jpg Our Founder & Curator Sylvester Birthday Celebration at Backstreet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353367125-S4PF6UDFR630RTE0ZPC5/Sylvester+Francis%2C+Jerome+Smith+and+members+of+Black+Men+of+Labor+at+Backstreet.sm.jpg Our Founder & Curator Sylvester with Members of Black Men of Labor Social Aid & Pleasure Club and Jerome Smith https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601353084672-WTDFDJ3L2JIBBP0ZLXI6/IMG_5758.jpg Our Founder & Curator https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/1601352355964-XGXR3AE5GWVBEWQC29B0/IMG_5752.jpg Our Founder & Curator https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/make-a-donation daily 0.75 2023-03-23 https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/secondline-tours daily 0.75 2024-08-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f681beabecfb4667e97f47b/a4cf4d12-120e-4a4b-a32e-53b78bb6ed7b/hollis.jpg