Hermann Grima House: Urban Enslavement Tour Experience

Experience the Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann Grima House, a restored French Quarter home that explores the lives of enslaved individuals in an urban setting. Discover the rich history and contributions of people of African descent in shaping New Orleans.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hermann-Grima House - This restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from those enslaved in rural settings, and how the contributions of people of African descent have shaped New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler voted it one of the best tours in New Orleans and the only tour listed from a museum. We believe that nothing tells a story like a home. In addition, the property’s 19th-century carriage house is home to the The Exchange Shop, originally founded in the 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and one of the oldest women-led non-profits in the South.
What's Included
  • Professional guide included
Additional Information

This refurbished dwelling in the French Quarter, constructed in 1831, features a Federalist architectural front, an original functional open-hearth kitchen, city slave quarters, and a large courtyard. The Hermann-Grima House’s Urban Enslavement Tour examines the lives of those who were enslaved in a city environment, compares their experiences to those enslaved in rural areas, and highlights the impact of the African diaspora on the shaping of New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler named it amongst the top tours in New Orleans and the only museum tour on the list. We hold the belief that a home unravels a story like nothing else. Moreover, the historical 19th-century coach house is host to The Exchange Shop, a venerable women-led non-profit initially formed in 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and amongst the oldest of its kind in the South.

Location
Hermann-Grima House
820 Saint Louis St,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(114 Ratings)
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Annabg6367nt
Aug 12, 2024
Very Interesting!! - Our tour guide was amazing and made this very interesting even for my two teenage daughters ages 14 and 17. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Nola. We had the male tour guide and he was fantastic! The history was awesome as well. Walking around touring this house somehow the way that he explains everything you can picture it all happening as you walk through the house room by room. Highly recommend this especially if you're there a short time and just do not have the time to see do a plantation tour. Urban slavery is just as interesting yet devastating at the same time that it took place at all anywhere. I learned something new because I didn't know about urban slavery before this trip to NOLA. Thank you for the great history lesson!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ophlie_b
Aug 2, 2024
Insightful tour on Urban enslavement - Very insightful tour. Highly recommend thanks to the detailed explanation and moving insights on several house's inoccupents over time
Review provided by Viator
James_a
Aug 1, 2024
Quite the learning... - Quite the learning experience. It was a different perspective to learn about enslaved people outside of plantations.
Review provided by Viator
David_y
Jul 17, 2024
A Moving Must-Do - Robert's closing statements about his own family's close generational experience was a moving, humanizing, and very personal connection that made the rest of the tour make amazing sense.
Review provided by Viator
Mary_i
Jun 30, 2024
Great educational tour, so glad we found it. - We had an amazing docent who was an advocate of not only the museum but the women’s art in the carriage house. We also met one of the talented artists and are taking a little piece of New Orleans home with us. It was a truly educational visit we will never forgot and a must see if you are in the area!
Review provided by Viator
Mary_e
Jun 13, 2024
Excellent tour - What an excellent learning experience! Our guide, Robert, was well informed and shred lots of information as we toured the house and addition.
Review provided by Viator
Dana_c
Jun 11, 2024
Good tour, would recommend - Excellent tour guide - deepened my understanding of some of the aspects of slavery in the urban context. Would have loved to know more about more of the enslaved members in the household but understandably this could be a limitation of the archival information available. Overall great, well paced and timed historical tour. Really lovely museum staff as well.
Review provided by Viator
Tammywilts
Aug 17, 2024
Good tour - Enjoyed this 45 minute tour of the house and courtyard. Very interesting to hear about the enslaved being used in urban areas. Guide really knew a lot and was friendly. The only downside was we felt it was a bit rushed
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Js2acres
Jun 30, 2024
An important part of history that isn’t seen. So many lives hidden that deserve to be seen. - Very interesting and a unique glimpse into the life of an urban enslaved person. Our guide was informative and inspired.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Letsgo12
Jun 10, 2024
Gorgeous home. Right in the quarter. Quick tour. - The home was gorgeous. I was glad we got to go upstairs! I was happy there was a chair in the outdoors kitchen as my feet were hurting. I recommend bringing a water, even though you can't drink in the house. You can while waiting outside and while doing the outdoor tour part. The tour guide made some good historical points. You have to take it all with a bit of broad perspective also. What you have learned and know mixed in with what they say is true...I wish I could go back one day and see how the family really dressed, acted, ate....all of it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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