Louisiana’s history of slavery is well-known. In this elegant 1859 Greek Revival house, the lesser-known chronicle of the free people of color (fpc) is told through a one-of-a-kind personal collection of artworks and documents. These educated, sophisticated, and industrious men and women of French, African, and Caribbean origin populated New Orleans since the early 1700s, and their cultural and commercial impact on the city was massive. Exhibited works range from gallant formal portraits of finely attired men and women to copies of the Dred Scott decision and Civil War–era activist newspapers. The McKenna Museum of African American Art, a sister museum in Central City, also houses a terrific collection (www.themckennamuseum.com; tel. 504/323-5074; by appt. only).