NEW ORLEANS – The Historic BK House & Gardens will participate in French Quarter Museum Night on July 2, joining other members of the French Quarter Museum Association in offering free admission, extended hours and special programming at 11 museums and cultural institutions in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
French Quarter Museums Mark America’s 250th
The French Quarter Museum Association is a collaborative organization of museums, historic houses, archives and cultural institutions that works to promote the French Quarter as a walkable cultural corridor. French Quarter Museum Night, part of local observances tied to the nation’s semiquincentennial, will take place from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. July 2.
Organizers said the event is designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore museums, exhibitions, performances and activities highlighting the diverse histories that shaped both New Orleans and the United States. Reservations are not required.
Party Like It’s 1776: The Ball at BK
BK House will host “Party Like It’s 1776: The Ball at BK” from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. July 2, with dancing scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The event will feature 18th-century dance lessons led by Heather Valenzuela of Giddy Up Two Step. Organizers said dancers of all ages and experience levels are welcome, and period costumes are encouraged. The program is part of French Quarter Museum Night, which is being presented in conjunction with the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The Summer Stretch: Yoga at BK
BK House will also host yoga classes July 25 and Aug. 22 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the BK Ballroom.
Rebecca Crenshaw will lead the all-levels classes, which organizers said will focus on breathwork, mobility and movement. The sessions are intended for participants of all experience levels. Tickets are $15 per class, and registration is available at www.bkhouse.org.
More Bicentennial Events Planned
BK House said additional Bicentennial events are planned throughout the year, including BK’s Birthday Party on Aug. 11, the Beautiful Spaces Symposium on Sept. 19 and the Soirée in the Vieux Carré on Oct. 11.
Museum Night Continues Across the Quarter
French Quarter Museum Night will conclude with a closing reception from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Historic New Orleans Collection, followed by an after-party from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. at Le Spectacle at Preservation Hall. Admission to the after-party is free for Museum Night attendees, although space is limited.
Participating institutions include the 1850 House, Cabildo, Hermann-Grima House, Historic BK House & Gardens, the Historic New Orleans Collection, the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures (Nous), the Old Ursuline Convent Museum and Preservation Hall. Several participating organizations have announced museum-specific programming, including live music, exhibition openings, tours and historical performances.
Founded in 1826, BK House was the first historic house in New Orleans to be saved from demolition. The property was purchased by author Frances Parkinson Keyes in 1948 and restored under her direction. Museum programming now focuses on the seven families who lived on the property and the history of the French Quarter neighborhood. Revenue from memberships, events, grants, donations and fundraising activities supports ongoing restoration and capital improvement projects.
